Best Santa Fe Grande Substitutes: Find Your Perfect Match
Can't find Santa Fe Grande? Or maybe you're looking for a substitute with a bit more kick? You're in the right place.
The Santa Fe Grande is a mild pepper with a heat level of 750-750 SHU.
We've analyzed dozens of chili peppers to find the best replacements for any situation. Whether you need something milder, hotter, or smokier, here are the top 5 Santa Fe Grande substitutes, ranked for home cooking.
Top 5 Santa Fe Grande pepper Substitutes Ranked
🥇 1. Cherry Bomb
Best for: Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish
Heat: Much hotter (bring milk!) (100-5,000 SHU)
How Much to Use: Use about ⅓ to ½ of a Cherry Bomb for every Santa Fe Grande
Why it Works: Offers a good balance of heat, flavor, and availability for most recipes.
🥈 2. Hungarian Wax
Best for: Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish
Heat: Extremely hotter (use sparingly!) (1,000-15,000 SHU)
How Much to Use: Use by taste (no heat comparison available)
Why it Works: Offers a good balance of heat, flavor, and availability for most recipes.
🥉 3. Jalapeño
Best for: Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish
Heat: Extremely hotter (use sparingly!) (1,000-20,000 SHU)
How Much to Use: Use by taste (no heat comparison available)
Why it Works: Offers a good balance of heat, flavor, and availability for most recipes.
4️⃣ 4. Anaheim
Best for: Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish
Heat: Much hotter (bring milk!) (500-2,500 SHU)
How Much to Use: Use about ¾ of a Anaheim for every Santa Fe Grande
Why it Works: Offers a good balance of heat, flavor, and availability for most recipes.
5️⃣ 5. Ancho Pepper (Dried Poblano)
Best for: Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish
Heat: Much hotter (bring milk!) (1,000-2,000 SHU)
How Much to Use: Use about ¾ of a Ancho Pepper (Dried Poblano) for every Santa Fe Grande
Why it Works: Offers a good balance of heat, flavor, and availability for most recipes.
Heat & Flavor Comparison Table
| Pepper | Heat (SHU) | Flavor Notes | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Grande pepper (Original) | 750-750 | N/A | Specialty stores |
| Cherry Bomb Pepper | 100-5,000 | N/A | Available in specialty stores or well-stocked supermarkets |
| Hungarian Wax Pepper | 1,000-15,000 | N/A | Available in specialty stores or well-stocked supermarkets |
| Jalapeño Pepper | 1,000-20,000 | N/A | Available in specialty stores or well-stocked supermarkets |
| Anaheim Pepper | 500-2,500 | N/A | Available in specialty stores or well-stocked supermarkets |
| Ancho Pepper (Dried Poblano) | 1,000-2,000 | N/A | Available in specialty stores or well-stocked supermarkets |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best substitute for Santa Fe Grande?
The best substitute depends on your goal. The Cherry Bomb is the closest overall match. Best for heat lovers looking to add serious spice to their dish Use about ⅓ to ½ of a Cherry Bomb for every Santa Fe Grande.
Can I use jalapeño instead of Santa Fe Grande?
Yes! Jalapeño is actually one of our recommended substitutes for Santa Fe Grande. Jalapeño is about 6.7x hotter than Santa Fe Grande pepper, so use less jalapeño if you substitute it. Start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
How do I adjust the heat level when substituting?
Start with less than you think you need—you can always add more heat, but you can't take it away! If your substitute is milder, add more gradually and taste as you go. If it's hotter, start with half the amount and build up. Remember that cooking method also affects heat: boiling reduces spice, while frying intensifies it.
Will the flavor be the same?
No substitute is ever a perfect 1-for-1 match in flavor. The Cherry Bomb is the closest you'll get. Others may fundamentally change the flavor of your dish—but often in a delicious way! Consider whether you're substituting for heat, flavor, or both.
Can I use Santa Fe Grande powder instead of fresh Santa Fe Grande?
Yes, but the flavor will be different. As a general rule, ¼ teaspoon of dried pepper powder is roughly equivalent to one fresh pepper. However, you'll miss the fresh, crisp texture and bright flavor. Powder works best in spice rubs, soups, and slow-cooked dishes where texture isn't critical.