Anaheim
The anaheim is the mild green chile you've probably eaten without knowing its name — it's what fills most cans of "green chiles." Running a gentle 500–2,500 Scoville units, it's mildly sweet and grassy fresh, and turns soft and savory roasted. Long and slender, it's the everyday roasting chile for green chili, stews, and stuffing when you want chile flavor and body without much burn. It shares lineage with the New Mexico and Hatch chiles.
Heat & Scoville
Anaheim runs 500–2,500 SHU — classified as Mild. SHU ranges vary by cultivar and growing conditions; treat these as commonly cited guides, not lab-exact numbers.
Flavor profile
Mild and slightly sweet with a grassy freshness. A workhorse for roasting and green chili.
Origin: New Mexico / California lineage.
Forms & how to use
Typically sold fresh. Common forms: fresh, roasted, canned (green chiles).
- green chili
- roasting
- mild chili
- rellenos
Substitutes
Anaheim in chili & recipes
FAQ
How hot is an anaheim pepper?
Mild — about 500–2,500 Scoville Heat Units, one of the gentler chiles. Easy heat for most palates.
Are anaheim peppers the same as Hatch chiles?
They're closely related New Mexico-type chiles. Hatch are grown in the Hatch Valley and tend to run a bit hotter and more flavorful; anaheim is milder and available year-round.
What's a good anaheim substitute?
Poblano or Hatch for a similar mild, roastable chile; New Mexico chiles are a near-exact match.