
cayenne pepper
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)
Vegetarian Bean Chili
This is a slightly different variation of a traditional Vegetarian Chili recipe. Many of the ingredients (beans, spices, vegetables) can be modified to meet your tastes. This recipe can be made in a stove top pot or in a crock pot.
Vegetarian Chili
Vegetarian Chili from the Public Health Cookbook, Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, in the public domain Cook Time: Approximately 30 minutes Serves: 6
Vegetarian Crumbles Chili
From: The Duke Diet Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes Servings: 4
Vegetarians Chili
Vegetarians chili
Vegetarian West African Soup
Vegetarian West African Soup from the Public Health Cookbook, Seattle & King County Department of Public Health—original source of recipe, government resource in the public domain Serves: 8
Veggie Soup
Veggie Soup
Very Spicy Creamy Clam Dip
From my Aunt Sandra’s Collection. Dated 1944.
West African Groundnut Catfish Stew
A Catfish recipe.
White Devil
right|White Devil
Wild West Chili
Purchased from Rodgers Estate in Greenville, Texas in 1994. Dated 1956.
Yemeni Eggplant Salad with Currants
Yemeni Eggplant Salad with Currants from the Recidemia collection