The authentic Hatch green chile opens your taste buds to a bold and smoky flavor like you've never tasted before. But do you actually know when and where you can buy them?
Whether you want a fresh-roasted batch or stock up on these peppers for your winter meals, you'll never miss out if you know where and when you can get them. This guide takes you through the harvest season, local and online options, and storing these hot peppers in case you need them.
Key Takeaways:
- Hatch green chiles are grown and harvested in Hatch Valley, New Mexico, and come in season from July to September.
- The chiles come in fresh, roasted, frozen, and sauce forms. You can add them to your dishes or use them as a dip.
- Freezing and jarring the chiles can help preserve them for year-round consumption.
Enjoy an earthy flavor to your meals from this day forward.
When to Buy Hatch Green Chiles?
Hatch green chiles are celebrated chile peppers in the United States. They're known for their medium heat, bold flavor, and versatile cooking uses. Getting the most out of these peppers means abiding by the right timing.
Best Time of the Year
- The peak harvest season of these peppers is from late July to early September.
- Hatch chile season lasts about six to eight weeks. You have a limited time to enjoy fresh Hatch green chile of its highest quality.
Pricing and Availability
- The regular price usually happens at the beginning of the chile season.
- Sale prices come mid-season. Farms are in full swing at that time.
- The highest prices for frozen, jarred, or pre-roasted versions come early in the season or after the harvest ends.
Ordering Tips
- Order early online to get your favorite chiles from Hatch Valley farms.
- Fresh chile may ship directly to your door from New Mexican farmers.
- Always check reviews and shipping times of the fresh chile pepper you want before placing orders.
Where Do Hatch Green Chiles Grow?
Hatch green chile is special because it's grown in Hatch Valley, Southern New Mexico. Towns like Hatch, Las Cruces, and Deming are core areas where chile peppers are usually cultivated. This region has an exceptional combination of warm days, a desert climate, and volcanic soil, which produce the peppers' different spiciness and bold flavor.
Hatch green chiles get their signature taste from the long, hot days and cool nights that shape them. They're the only chile peppers called Hatch chiles since they're officially grown in this part of the country. Farms typically harvest green chile and roast it for delivery across the United States.
These chiles are also available in grocery stores during their peak season. Fresh and frozen variants are also delivered to your door.
Why Are They Called Hatch Green Chiles?
Hatch is a small village in New Mexico. The term refers to the green chile grown in Hatch Valley. Green usually means the pepper's ripeness—it turns red when it matures.
Can You Air Fry Hatch Green Chiles?
Yes, you can! Air frying is a quick and easy way to retain flavor and reduce mess when preparing these chiles.
How to Air Fry
- Set your air fryer to 390-400°F.
- Put the whole Hatch chiles in the basket.
- Cook them for eight to 10 minutes and turn them halfway through until blistered and slightly charred.
- Place the chiles in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Steam them for easy peeling.
You don't need an outdoor grill for this process. Air-frying chiles is great if you're doing it on small batches only.
Can You Grill Hatch Green Chiles?
Yes! This is the most traditional way to roast your Hatch chile. Here's how:
- Set your grill to high heat.
- Place the chiles on the grates.
- Rotate them every two to three minutes until the skin blisters.
- Steam and peel before storing.
Grilling boosts the smoky flavor of the chiles and adds a signature New Mexican flavor to your meals.
Green or red, our chiles are perfect for roasting and cooking!
Can You Water Bath Hatch Green Chiles?
You can, but it may not be the best way to store them long-term unless you're making sauces or pickles. It may be safe to do it for acidic recipes, such as vinegar-based chile sauces. However, you should follow safe canning guidelines to prevent botulism.
You can also freeze roasted chiles in batches and store them in jars with vinegar or oil. If you don't have jars, use vacuum-sealed bags to maintain the chile's flavor and spiciness.
What Do You Do With Roasted Hatch Green Chiles?
You now have endless possibilities in your hands after getting a good stock of roasted Hatch chile. Here's how you can add them to popular recipes:
Green chile enchiladas
This New Mexican classic is made of layered corn tortillas with Hatch green chile sauce, shredded beef or chicken, and melted cheese. The roasted green chile adds a deep, smoky flavor that balances the rich taste of cheese and meat.
Chile rellenos
To make this recipe, stuff whole roasted Hatch green chiles with melty cheese and dip them in a light egg batter before frying. The chiles add an earthy heat to the crispiness. Serve the rellenos with a simple tomato sauce and rice.
Eggs and chile
Dice your roasted Hatch chiles and add them to scrambled eggs, omelets, and burritos. The smoky flavor will add a kick of spice to your egg recipes, pairing them with cheese, bacon, or sausage.
Green chile stew
This soul-warming staple consists of pork or beef chunks, onions, and potatoes. Roasted Hatch green chiles can create a rich, slightly spicy, and filling broth. Cook this stew on a cold night to comfort yourself from the daily grind of life.
Other Uses
Blend the chiles into sauces for meats and pastas. You can also mix them with cheese for spicy queso dips and add them to burgers and tacos.
How to Store Roasted Hatch Green Chiles
Chiles can be mild and hot, so there's a taste for everyone. And when you're handling roasted Hatch green chiles, proper storage is important to preserve their flavor and texture. This is how you can do it right:
- Let the chiles cool after steaming them for about 10-15 minutes. Peel the skin. Remove all the seeds if you want.
- Divide the chiles into small portions in each container for every recipe, so you can only thaw the chiles you need.
- Label the container with the date and heat level to know which one to use when cooking your meal.
- Flatten storage bags for quicker defrosting.
When properly stored, roasted chiles can last from ten months to a year in the freezer. If you keep them in the fridge, use them within three to five days.
Where to Buy Hatch Green Chile
Local Grocery Stores (During Season Only)
Some stores in the U.S. have Hatch chile in stock during late summer. You can also look for roasting events around New Mexico, Texas, and California.
Online (Year-Round Availability)
Some online stores sell Hatch green chile. Fresh Chile Company offers fresh, frozen, jarred, and powdered chiles if you want an authentic one! They also offer sauces and salsas and ship across the country with insulated packaging. With Fresh Chile Company, you have the best chile brand if you love Southwest cuisine.
Taste a Kick of Spice with Hatch Green Chiles
Hatch green chile's flavorful depth, warming heat, and versatility make it a must-have item in your kitchen. You can use any fresh, frozen, or jarred form for your recipe.
These green chiles can be found in stores and online shops. They only come once a year, so stock up on your favorite chiles to enjoy their spicy and hearty kick all year round!
Take your meals to the next level with our chiles!