How to Cut a Jalapeño 2 Ways

Learn how to cut a jalapeño in 2 different ways for your favorite spicy recipes!

Adding a diced jalapeño to a salsa or pico de gallo recipe gives it that little kick I love! Properly cutting your peppers helps to give you the best flavor while avoiding an overwhelming amount of heat. Fermenting jalapeños or using them as a topping requires cutting them into circles (which is so easy!)

If you are wondering how to cut jalapeños, look no further. I promise you it isn't difficult and that you will soon be confident enough to make the chop without the help from photos!

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Jump to:

• What you need
• Recipes to try with jalapeños
• Ingredients and Materials
• How to Cut a Jalapeño (2 Ways)
• Tips
• How to Cut a Jalapeño

What you need

• Jalapeños - Select fresh and crisp jalapeños for your recipes! Source from your own garden, the store, or even the local farmer's market!
• Chef's knife - Always work with a sharp knife for safety!
• Spoon - Use a spoon to remove the vein and seeds when dicing. This helps to bring down the heat.
• Cutting board - Protect your work surface with a cutting board. I use wooden cutting boards. I make my own wood butter and properly care for them to extend their use!

Recipes to try with jalapeños

• Mexican-Inspired Charcuterie Board
• Pickled Pineapple
• Mango Pico de Gallo
• Fermented Jalapeños
• Pineapple Habanero Salsa
• Fermented Watermelon

Ingredients and Materials

• Fresh jalapeño(s)
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Optional: Spoon (if dicing!)

How to Cut a Jalapeño (2 Ways)

Variation 1: Diced

1. Wash and dry your peppers.
2. Chop the top of the jalapeño off. Discard.

3. Cut down the center the long way.

4. Use a spoon to scrape out the vein and seeds.

5. Slice each half of the pepper thinly the long way.

6. Chop finely from end to end to dice!

Variation 2: Circles

1. Wash and dry your peppers.
2. Chop the top of the jalapeño off. Discard.

3. Carefully chop down using even spacing all the way to the end of your jalapeño. Discard the very bottom bit.

Tips

• Use fresh and crisp peppers to make cutting easier. When they age, they tend to get a little mushy and this can make it harder to cut.
• Always use a sharp kitchen knife when cutting.
• If you are worried about "jalapeño hands" you may choose to wear gloves while cutting.