Red Fresno Chile Peppers
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 11.39
This item was last sold on : 03/24/25
Description/Taste
Red Fresno chile peppers are small, slightly curved to straight pods, averaging 5 to 7 centimeters in length, and have a conical shape that tapers to a rounded point on the non-stem end. The semi-thin skin is smooth, firm, and waxy with a glossy sheen, ripening from green to bright red when mature. Underneath the skin, the flesh is crisp, aqueous, and pale red or green, depending on maturity, encasing a central cavity with thin membranes and round, flat, cream-colored seeds. Red Fresno chile peppers have an earthy and fruity flavor with a moderate to hot level of heat. When cooked, the peppers develop a smoky, sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Red Fresno chile peppers are available in the late summer through fall.
Current Facts
Red Fresno chile peppers, botanically classified as Capsicum annuum, are the mature versions of the culinary pepper that belongs to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Considered to be a moderately hot variety, Red Fresno chile peppers range 2,500 to 8,000 SHU on the Scoville scale and are often mistaken for a red jalapeno due to its similarity in heat and appearance. Red Fresno chile peppers are increasing in popularity as a canning pepper, but when canned or bottled, they are often labeled, "hot chile peppers," leaving no reference to variety. The peppers are also receiving notoriety at fresh markets as a culinary pepper. Chefs are seeking out the sweet, fruity, and spicy pepper and are using its flavor in a wide variety of culinary applications, especially in Mexican, Asian, and American cuisine.
Nutritional Value
Red Fresno chile peppers contain vitamins A and B, which have been shown to help reduce triglyceride levels and to help control blood sugar after meals. The peppers also contain capsaicin, which is a chemical compound that triggers pain receptors in our body to feel the sensation of burning. Capsaicin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and causes the body to release endorphins to counteract the perceived pain.
Applications
Red Fresno chile peppers are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as grilling, roasting, baking, and sautéing. When fresh, the peppers can be diced into salsas and relishes, minced into marinades and dips such as pesto, or roughly chopped and mixed into ceviche. Red Fresno chile peppers can also be cooked down into hot sauces, pureed into sauces such as romesco or rojo cream, tossed into soups, stews, and curries, fire-roasted and stuffed, or charred over an open flame. The peppers develop a smoky flavor when cooked and are a popular topping over tostadas, tacos, pizza, burgers, sausages, and hot dogs. They can also be pickled for extended use or used as a substitute in recipes calling for serrano or jalapeno peppers. Red Fresno chile peppers pair well with barbecued meats, pancetta, seafood, potatoes, polenta, chickpeas, queso fresco, parmesan, cucumbers, lime juice, and red onion. The fresh peppers will keep up to one week when stored whole and unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Fresno chile peppers have become a popular culinary variety among restaurants in the United States and are often considered a “gateway pepper” that provides spice and flavor without overwhelming a dish in heat. Not only used as toppings on pizza, salad bowls, and stir-fries, Red Fresno chile peppers are also being used in cocktails to add a fiery heat to margaritas, juleps, palomas, and tequila-based drinks. The peppers are being infused into simple syrups with ingredients such as rosemary, honey, ginger, and mint, soaked directly into the alcohol for added spice, or are chopped and stirred into the drink as a crisp, fresh, edible element. In addition to earning its place in the culinary scene, a variety of the Red Fresno chile known as the Flaming Flare became an All-American Selections winner in 2015, highly tested and regarded for its ease of growth in home gardens.
Geography/History
Red Fresno chile peppers were developed on a farm near Clovis, California and were released for commercial cultivation by Clarence Brown Hamlin in 1952. Hamlin, known by many as “Brownie,” developed the variety through multiple, selective breeding experiments and named the chile Fresno in honor of his home county Fresno, California. Though not highly marketed when initially released, Red Fresno chile peppers have been heavily marketed in the last decade, increasing sales and its reputation as a culinary pepper. Today Red Fresno chile peppers are grown throughout California, specifically in the San Joaquin Valley, and are also grown in Mexico. The peppers can be found at specialty grocers, farmers markets, and through online seed catalogs for home garden use.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
| Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Hasta Manana Cantina | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| The Go Go Truck | San Diego CA | 401-837-1740 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| Bound Coffee | Oceanside CA | 760-805-3505 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Moniker Coffee Company | San Diego CA | 619-255-9118 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Blue Water Estate Services | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-720-9831 |
| Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Cellar Hand | San Diego CA | 334-689-2388 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Sisters Pizza (NP) | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Chef Sebastian LLC | La Jolla CA | 858-740-0878 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Merenda | Oceanside CA | 703-459-4145 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Mesa Agricola | Carlsbad CA | 707-758-6650 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
| South O Brewing Catering | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Comma | San Diego CA | 619-802-9183 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| The Crack Shack PB | San Diego CA | 619-450-7978 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
| Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
| Javier Plascencia (Finca) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| SD Continuing Education Culinary Arts | San Diego CA | 619-719-6924 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
| Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Red O Restaurant (Bar) | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Fortunate Son | San Diego CA | 619-806-6121 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| Storyhouse Spirits Bar | San Diego CA | 801-949-5955 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| J & Tonys | San Diego CA | 855-634-7664 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Siamo Napoli | San Diego CA | 619-300-4810 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Nolita Hall - Bar | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Coasterra (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Fresno Chile Peppers. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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