




Red Fresno Chile Peppers
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 27.34
This item was last sold on : 07/13/25
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.
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Bica | San Diego CA | 619-669-5725 |
Moniker Coffee Company | San Diego CA | 619-255-9118 |
Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
Buckboard Catering & Events | El Cajon CA | 619-334-4400 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
Bound Coffee | Oceanside CA | 760-805-3505 |
Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
The Lion Share 2025 | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
Nolita Hall - Bar | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Moniker Outpost | San Diego CA | 253-820-1600 |
Wildland | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
Singing Hills Golf Resort | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 x1 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Storyhouse Spirits Bar | San Diego CA | 801-949-5955 |
Sisters Pizza (NP) | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Upper East | Escondido CA | 619-787-1617 |
Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Mabel's Gone Fishing | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
The Go Go Truck | San Diego CA | 401-837-1740 |
Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
Chef Sebastian LLC | La Jolla CA | 858-740-0878 |
Town & Country Arlo | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
Cellar Hand | San Diego CA | 334-689-2388 |
Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
Far Corner | San Diego CA | 619-549-0838 |
Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
Sovereign Thai Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-887-2000 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
The Crack Shack PB | San Diego CA | 619-450-7978 |
Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
Javier Plascencia (Animalon) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
Machete Coffee | National City CA | 858-336-5390 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
J & Tonys | San Diego CA | 855-634-7664 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
The Victorian at Hill Street | Oceanside CA | 442-266-8285 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
LANA Bar | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
Lost Cause Meadery | SAN DIEGO CA | 858-245-1911 |
The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Javier Plascencia (Finca) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-884-5350 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Fox Point Farms | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
The Barista Botanist | San Diego CA | 808-868-8639 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
Culinary Kitchen Catering and Events | Coronado CA | 619-798-8477 |
Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-880-8719 |
Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
Pier 32 Water Front Grill | National City CA | 619-718-6240 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Camino Riviera | San Diego CA | 619-685-3881 |
Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
Golden Door Bakery | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
Chocolate Bar | Carlsbad CA | 442-500-2007 |
The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
Chef Drew Mc Partlin | San Diego CA | 619-990-9201 |
Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
LANA | Solana Beach CA | 602-758-2596 |
Mabel's Gone Fishing Bar | San Diego CA | 619-228-9851 |
Pizza Kaiju | San Diego CA | 619-240-2716 |
Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
Small Barn | Temecula CA | 951-225-2822 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Shootz Fish X Beer (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-450-8070 |
The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
Fortunate Son | San Diego CA | 619-806-6121 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Fresno Chile Peppers. One

