How to Grow Chipotle Peppers: Tips, Advice, and Fascinating Facts

Chipotle peppers are essentially smoked, dried jalapeño peppers, known for their rich, smoky flavor and medium heat. Growing jalapeños to make chipotle peppers is a rewarding experience, combining the challenge of growing the peppers with the art of drying and smoking them. Whether you’re a fan of their flavor in sauces, marinades, or salsas, learning how to grow jalapeños for chipotle peppers can add a new dimension to your gardening efforts. Here’s your complete guide to growing and preparing chipotle peppers.

1. Choose the Right Jalapeño Variety for Chipotle

Since chipotle peppers are made from ripened, red jalapeños, choosing the right variety is key to producing high-quality chipotles. Here are a few jalapeño varieties to consider:

Jalapeño M: The standard jalapeño variety, ideal for making chipotle peppers.
Early Jalapeño: A faster-maturing variety, perfect if you have a shorter growing season.
Jalafuego: Known for its large size and hotter heat level, this variety produces bigger peppers for smoking.

2. Start Seeds Indoors

Like other pepper plants, jalapeños for chipotle need a long growing season, so it’s best to start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Here’s how to get started:

Containers: Use small pots or seed trays filled with seed-starting mix.
Temperature: Keep the soil temperature between 70-80°F for optimal germination, which usually takes 10-14 days.
Light: Ensure the seedlings receive plenty of sunlight or place them under grow lights for 12-16 hours per day.

3. Transplanting Outdoors

Once the danger of frost has passed and your jalapeño seedlings are 4-6 inches tall, you can transplant them outdoors:

Hardening Off: Gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions for about a week before transplanting to minimize transplant shock.
Location: Choose a sunny spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Jalapeños thrive in warm conditions.
Soil: The ideal soil pH for jalapeño plants is between 6.0-6.8. Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter.

4. Spacing and Support

Giving your jalapeño plants enough space ensures healthy growth:

Spacing: Space your plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and light penetration.
Support: As jalapeños grow and begin to produce heavy fruit, staking or using small cages can help support the plants and prevent the stems from breaking.

5. Consistent Watering

Watering is essential for producing high-quality jalapeños:

Watering Schedule: Water deeply once or twice a week, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Jalapeños do best with even moisture, so avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Mulching: Applying mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, especially in hotter climates.

6. Fertilizing

Proper fertilization encourages strong growth and fruit production:

Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) at transplanting, then apply again when the plants begin to flower. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as it can lead to more foliage and fewer peppers.

7. Pests and Diseases

Protect your jalapeño plants from pests and diseases:

Common Pests: Watch out for aphids, spider mites, and flea beetles. Regularly inspect your plants and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations.
Diseases: Keep an eye on your plants for signs of fungal diseases like powdery mildew or root rot, especially in humid conditions. Ensuring proper spacing and watering at the base of the plants can help prevent these issues.

8. Harvesting Jalapeños for Chipotle

To make chipotle peppers, jalapeños need to ripen fully on the plant:

When to Harvest: Jalapeños for chipotle peppers are harvested when they are fully ripe and have turned a deep red color. This usually takes 75-90 days from planting.
How to Harvest: Use pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small portion of the stem attached. Avoid pulling the peppers to prevent damaging the plant.

9. Drying and Smoking Jalapeños to Make Chipotle

After harvesting your red jalapeños, it’s time to turn them into chipotle peppers by smoking and drying them:

Drying Process: Traditionally, jalapeños are smoked over a low wood fire (typically mesquite) for several hours to dry them out and impart that signature smoky flavor. The peppers are placed on a grill or rack and smoked at a temperature between 180-200°F for 24-48 hours until they are completely dried.
Alternative Drying Methods: If you don’t have a smoker, you can dry jalapeños in an oven set to a low temperature (around 150-175°F) or use a food dehydrator to dry them. While this method won’t give the peppers their smoky flavor, you can add liquid smoke during cooking to mimic the taste.

Fascinating Facts About Chipotle Peppers

Scoville Rating: Chipotle peppers have a heat range of 2,500-8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), depending on the variety of jalapeño used.
Origin of the Name: The word “chipotle” comes from the Nahuatl word “chīlpoctli,” meaning “smoked chili.”
Dual Use: Chipotle peppers are used in many forms, from dried whole peppers to ground powder and chipotle in adobo sauce, which is a popular ingredient in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
Nutrient-Rich: Like jalapeños, chipotle peppers are high in vitamins A and C, and the smoking process helps preserve their nutrients while adding flavor.

Common Questions About Growing Chipotle Peppers

Q: Can I make chipotle peppers from green jalapeños?
A: No, chipotle peppers are made from fully ripe red jalapeños. The flavor and smokiness develop as the peppers ripen and dry. Green jalapeños won’t produce the same result.

Q: How long does it take to make chipotle peppers?
A: From planting to smoking, the entire process can take around 75-100 days. Once the jalapeños are harvested, the smoking and drying process takes an additional 24-48 hours, depending on the method used.

Q: Can I grow jalapeños for chipotle in containers?
A: Yes, jalapeños can be grown in containers as long as the pot is at least 5 gallons and has good drainage. Place the container in a sunny location and ensure the plants receive 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

Q: Do I need a smoker to make chipotle peppers?
A: While a smoker is the traditional method for making chipotle peppers, you can use alternative drying methods, such as an oven or dehydrator. However, these methods won’t impart the same smoky flavor unless you add liquid smoke later.

Q: How can I store chipotle peppers?
A: After drying and smoking, chipotle peppers can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can last for months and can be used whole, ground, or rehydrated for various recipes.

Find out more facts about different peppers here