Red Fresno Chile Peppers
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 49.78
This item was last sold on : 07/29/25
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.
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Chocolate Bar | Carlsbad CA | 442-500-2007 |
| Golden Door Bakery | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Far Corner | San Diego CA | 619-549-0838 |
| Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
| Machete Coffee | National City CA | 858-336-5390 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Upper East | Escondido CA | 619-787-1617 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-255-7373 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Nolita Hall - Bar | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Pizza Kaiju | San Diego CA | 619-240-2716 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 442-222-9505 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Javier Plascencia (Animalon) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Belmont Park Entertainment | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Sisters Pizza (NP) | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-884-5350 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Bica | San Diego CA | 619-669-5725 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Fortunate Son | San Diego CA | 619-806-6121 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Small Barn | Temecula CA | 951-225-2822 |
| Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
| Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-880-8719 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| The Victorian at Hill Street | Oceanside CA | 442-266-8285 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
| Town & Country Arlo | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| LANA Bar | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| LANA | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Moniker Outpost | San Diego CA | 253-820-1600 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| The Barista Botanist | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
| Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
| Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
| Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| The Crack Shack PB | San Diego CA | 619-450-7978 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Shootz Fish X Beer (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-450-8070 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Bound Coffee | Oceanside CA | 760-805-3505 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Mabel's Gone Fishing Bar | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
| Pali Wine Company | San Diego CA | 310-893-0038 |
| The Go Go Truck | San Diego CA | 401-837-1740 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| SD Continuing Education Culinary Arts | San Diego CA | 619-719-6924 |
| Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
| Javier Plascencia (Finca) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| The Lion Share 2025 | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Cellar Hand | San Diego CA | 334-689-2388 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Moniker Coffee Company | San Diego CA | 619-255-9118 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Fresno Chile Peppers. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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