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cayenne pepper

Herbs & SpicesYear-round. Cayenne pepper is a dried, shelf-stable ingredient that maintains quality for extended periods when stored in cool, dark conditions, making it consistently available regardless of harvest season.

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, the alkaloid compound responsible for its pungency, and is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants including carotenoids. It provides these nutrients in small serving quantities due to its intense flavor and typical usage patterns.

About

Cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum, a flowering plant in the nightshade family native to Central and South America, particularly the Cayenne region of French Guiana. The ingredient consists of dried, ground pods of pungent chili peppers that range from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville units. Cayenne peppers are slender, tapered fruits measuring 2–3 inches in length, typically ripening from green to deep red before harvest and drying. The powder produced is bright red to orange-red in color and possesses a sharp, intensely hot flavor with subtle fruity and slightly smoky undertones. Modern cayenne pepper production spans from West Africa to Asia, with variations in heat level and flavor complexity depending on growing conditions and processing methods.

Culinary Uses

Cayenne pepper is a foundational ingredient in numerous global cuisines, particularly in Creole, Cajun, Thai, Indian, and Mexican cooking traditions. It functions both as a primary seasoning and as a heat delivery mechanism, appearing in spice blends such as garam masala, berbere, and Cajun seasoning. Common applications include dusting on eggs and cheese dishes, incorporating into marinades and rubs for meats and seafood, infusing into sauces and soups, and serving as a table condiment. The spice pairs well with tomato-based dishes, legumes, and fatty foods, where its pungency cuts through richness. Its intensity can be tempered by cooking it in oil or fat before adding liquid ingredients, allowing the heat to distribute evenly throughout a dish.

Used In

Recipes Using cayenne pepper (361)

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Poultry Shake

Everyone serious about frying chicken ought to have one of these.

RCI-SW.002.0086.001

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Please don't try to do this in the oven 'cause you'll just ruin it.

RCI-VG.004.1075.001

Punjabi Chana

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RCI-VG.004.1082.001

Quick and Easy Hummus

Quick and Easy Hummus from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.003.0540.001

Quick Catfish Gumbo

A Catfish recipe

RCI-SP.003.0554.001

Red Bean Soup with Guacamole Salsa

Red Bean Soup with Guacamole Salsa from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0217.001

Red Lobster Cajun Shrimp

Barbeque style shrimp is a Cajun way of making shrimp, spicy and buttery this is an easy way to make shrimp in a unique style. Shrimp is baked in the oven in a spicy sauce.

RCI-SP.006.0050.001

Red Pepper Soup

Red Pepper Soup cold soup is a nice flavourful treat on a hot summer day.

RCI-SN.001.0319.001

Rich Shrimp Salad

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the McGowan Estate in Sherman, Texas in 1991.

RCI-SN.004.0141.001

Roasted Almonds with Rosemary Fleur de Sel

If whole blanched almonds aren't available, substitute whole raw almonds with skin on.

RCI-SF.001.0301.001

Roasted Salmon with Shallot Grapefruit Sauce

Remember grapefruit can interfere with certain medications!

RCI-VG.001.0487.001

Romaine Salad with California Avocado, Orange, and Jicama

Romaine Salad with California Avocado, Orange, and Jicama from the Recidemia collection

RCI-MT.004.0703.001

Rosemary Balsamic Chicken Wings

Rosemary Balsamic Chicken Wings from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1164.001

Sabzi Piez

Braised onions and carrots * serves 4 to 6

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Salad Seasoning

Tastes great mixed with Italian salad dressing and pasta. Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world. A place where we can share the wonderful food from all over the world.

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Salsa Basic

This is a basic tomato and jalapeño salsa recipe to be used for a beginner. No one I know likes it the same, so I'm sure you will alter it for your own preferences.

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Salt-free Seasoning

Great for those on a low-sodium diet Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world. A place where we can share the wonderful food from all over the world.

RCI-SF.001.0317.001

San Felipe-style Fish Tacos in Beer Batter

Makes 18 tacos and 1 cup each of salsa blanca and rosarito beach salsa.

RCI-SF.003.0035.001

San Francisco style Scallop Ceviche

A ceviche is a seafood dish, originating in Peru, that relies on acid rather than heat to cook the fish. This recipe adds a bit of a California twist by adding sliced avocado to the dish.

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San Francisco-style Scallop Ceviche

San Francisco style Scallop Cevich

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Sauce Mornay

Béchamel sauce with grated cheese Yields: about 1 pint

RCI-VG.002.0155.001

Saucy Cheese Taters

Purchased from the Davidson Estate in Terrell, Texas in 1987. Dated 1966. These are very good. I made them right after I purchased this collection and they are a regular in my household and at potlucks.

RCI-ND.002.0121.001

Saucy Curry Chicken and Tagliatelle in less than 20 Mins.

Submitted by General Venereal I'm using mainly swedish products, but these things can be found anywhere except perhaps mother Russia where you will just have to make do with your daily allotted potato, comrade Poorandorhungry.

RCI-VG.004.1184.001

Sausage Lima Bean and Potato Soup

This recipe came from the Hartman Estate Sale. It was obtained it as part of the purchase of the Family Collection from the Hartman Estate in Arlington, Texas in 1984.

RCI-VG.004.1194.001

Savory Black Bean and Corn Soup

Savory Black Bean and Corn Soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0342.001

Sea Bass with Dried Fruit Salsa

Fruit & Vegetable of the Month: Dried Fruit by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 4

RCI-SF.005.0051.002

Seafood Gumbo

Seafood Gumbo a dish of New Orleans, with fresh sea food.

RCI-VG.005.0203.001

Seafood-stuffed Italian Mushrooms

This recipe came from an estate sale. It was obtained when the family collection was purchased from the Burnett Estate in Terrell, Texas in 1981.

RCI-SP.003.0586.001

Senegalese Chicken Soup

Senegalese Chicken Soup from the Recidemia collection

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Senegalese Mafe

Senegalese Mafe from the Recidemia collection

Shakshuka
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Shakshuka

Shakshuka is an Israeli dish with many variations; this one comes by way of Israel and is vegetarian-friendly.

RCI-EG.003.0130.001

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is an Israeli dish with many variations; this one comes by way of Israel and is vegetarian-friendly.

RCI-SP.002.0186.001

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Shrimp and Corn Chowder from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0254.001

Shrimp Diablo

Excellent spicy appetizer not too hard to make.

RCI-SN.001.0349.001

Shrimp Dip I

Original recipe Makes about 3 cups / Serves 9

RCI-ND.002.0126.001

Shrimp, Mayonnaise and Radish Pasta Salad

Shrimp, Mayonnaise and Radish Pasta Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SF.002.0262.001

Shrimp Scampi

Contributed by Cat's Recipes Y-Group

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Sierra Leonean Groundnut Stew

Sierra Leonean Groundnut Stew from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.001.0357.001

Smoked Salmon Spread

An excellent spread for fresh-baked French bread or even spread thinly with lettuce and tomato on sandwich bread for sack lunches on a long day's hike. The cayenne pepper and garlic powder give the spread a bit of a kick. 5, Glenn Highway.

RCI-MT.003.0089.001

Smoked Venison Jerky

Purchased from the Rosenthal Estate in Montgomery, Alabama in 1989. Notation on card indicates this is a World War II recipe, exact date unknown. My uncle makes this recipe every year after Deer hunting and he gets rave reviews.

RCI-VG.005.0210.001

Sombrero Artichokes

This recipe came from The Printey Estate sale. It was obtained it as part of the Family Collection from The Printey Estate in Forney, Texas in 2001.

RCI-SP.005.0235.001

Sopa de Amendoim

Peanut Soup from Curaçao, or a Caribbean chicken and peanut soup

RCI-SC.007.0280.001

Sour cream chili sauce

American cuisine Vegetarian Cuisine Holiday Recipes

RCI-MT.005.0279.001

South American Picadillo

Yields 4 servings

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South Carolina Sauce

May be used as a basting sauce for barbecue meat or as a condiment when serving grilled pork, beef or chicken. Contributed by World Recipes Y-GroupThis Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world.

RCI-RC.001.0203.001

Spanish Catfish Paella

A Catfish recipe.

RCI-VG.004.1291.001

Spiced Bean Soup

This authentic Moroccan soup is perfect for vegetarians as a light meal or as an appetizer. This recipe serves 4.

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Spice rub

A spice rub is a mixture of salt, herbs, and spices. A spice rub can be as simple as a large amount of pepper, like in Steak au' Poirve, or as complex as 100 spices.

RCI-MT.004.0756.002

Spice Rubbed Grilled Chicken Breast

Spice Rubbed Grilled Chicken Breast from the Recidemia collection

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Spice Rubbed Grilled Chicken Breast

Spice Rubbed Grilled Chicken Breast from the Recidemia collection