• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sunday Supper Movement logo
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Sunday Supper Pledge
    • Family Foodie TV
  • Browse Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Side Dishes
    • Best Dessert Recipes
  • Grilling Recipes
  • Cooking Chart
  • Newsletter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Newsletter
  • Cookbooks
  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • The Sunday Supper Pledge
  • Follow us on social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » How-to's & Guides » How to Cut a Jalapeno 🌶

    How to Cut a Jalapeno 🌶

    Published: Jul 17, 2020 Modified: Dec 6, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

    Share
    Pin
    Share

    Sunday Supper is an Amazon Associate and may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Learn How to Cut a Jalapeno into slices, how to dice a jalapeno, and the best method for seeding jalapeno peppers with this easy guide!

    Plus, we share our best recipes with jalapenos to put your new skills cutting jalapenos to use. Great for pairing with recipes using sliced avocado or lime zest!

    A glass bowl of diced jalapeno to show you how to cut a jalapeno

    If you have ever had to cut jalapenos before, then you know the greatest challenge is avoiding the dreaded “hot pepper hands”. Cutting jalapenos is actually very easy. It’s seeding jalapeno peppers and avoiding that burning sensation that can be troublesome!

    But, we’re here to show you how to cut jalapenos in the easiest way possible plus how to avoid getting jalapeno on your hands when you’re cutting them. You will be cutting jalapenos like a pro in no time!

    Jump to:
    • Tools for Cutting Jalapenos
    • Do you need to wear gloves when cutting jalapenos?
    • How do you get jalapeno off your hands?
    • Do you remove seeds from jalapeno peppers?
    • Can I eat raw jalapenos?
    • How to Store Jalapeno Peppers
    • Jalapeno Recipes
    • How to Cut Jalapenos for Poppers
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Tools for Cutting Jalapenos

    If you want to learn how to cut a jalapeno pepper the right way, you will need a sharp knife and a spoon.

    Having a sharp knife will allow you to easily slice jalapenos to whatever size you neeed. A knife that is not as sharp will make it much harder for you to get clean, easy slices.

    You’ll use a spoon to scoop the seeds out of the jalapeno. Using a spoon makes seeding jalapeno peppers so easy!

    A cutting board with a jalapeno and knife next to a spoon, getting ready to show you how to cut a jalapeno

    Do you need to wear gloves when cutting jalapenos?

    Although you do not need to, we highly recommend that you wear gloves when slicing jalapenos.

    Jalapenos naturally contain capsaicin, which is a hot chili oil found in spicy peppers. This is what determines the jalapeno scoville level – or how hot your peppers are!

    However, capsaicin also creates a burning sensation when it comes into contact with your skin, and can remain on your hands for a while unless you wash them very well.

    Wearing gloves will help you avoid the “hot pepper hands” everyone dreads!

    How do you get jalapeno off your hands?

    If you aren’t wearing gloves, and you do get jalapeno on your hands, there are a few things you can do to get it off of your hands.

    First of all, make sure to avoid touching any sensitive spots such as your eyes, mouth, or nose. You do not want to transfer any of that hot pepper oil to your face.

    • Wash your hands thoroughly with dish soap and water. Dish soap, as opposed to hand soap, is great for removing jalapeno oil from your skin.
    • Baking soda and water will take the burn right off your hands. Let it dry, then wash it off.
    • Scrub your hands with vegetable oil or olive oil. This works very well to cut through the oils from the jalapeno. Rinse with dish soap and water.
    • Dip your hands in milk. It’s true! Milk is great at not only soothing your mouth if you’ve eaten something spicy, but it works great for removing that oil from your hands, too.
    • Rubbing alcohol also works well for removing jalapeno oil if you have it on hand to use.

    No matter which method you use, make sure to get under your fingernails as well. But, the best way to avoid hot pepper oil on your hands is to wear gloves. If you have them, wear them! Vinyl and latex gloves both work well.

    Do you remove seeds from jalapeno peppers?

    Whether or not you remove the seeds from jalapeno peppers depends on which way you are slicing or dicing them, and how much spice you like.

    We use a spoon to remove the seeds from jalapeno peppers when dicing them or when we’re making jalapeno poppers. It’s very easy to do.

    When you’re slicing jalapenos into coins, like the kind you find in a jar, you generally leave the seeds in, but bear in mind that they will be spicy! Jalapeno seeds contain a lot of concentrated spice, so anything you include them in will be hot.

    Scooping out any remaining seeds from a jalapeno pepper with a spoon

    Can I eat raw jalapenos?

    You can eat jalapenos raw. Raw jalapenos are a popular ingredient in salsa recipes and Vietnamese cuisine (like a delicious banh mi sandwich). They are delicious on avocado toast and avocado deviled eggs, too.

    Once you know how to cut a jalapeno the right way, you’ll want to use them for so many recipes – cooked or raw!

    Just bear in mind that uncooked peppers tend to be hotter than cooked peppers, so keep an eye out for those seeds.

    Two slices of avocado toast with bacon, goat cheese and jalapenos on a blue and white plate

    How to Store Jalapeno Peppers

    Sliced jalapenos should be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container, where they are good for about 3-4 days.

    Whole peppers can be kept refrigerated or at room temperature. At room temperature, fresh, whole peppers will last 3-5 days, and in the refrigerator, up to 1-2 weeks. Store them loosely in the bag you purchased them in.

    A sign your peppers are getting a little old is that they will start to wrinkle. Wrinkly peppers are still safe to eat, but you may want to use them up when they reach this point.

    Jalapenos that start to wrinkle are less spicy than fresh jalapenos, as peppers lose their spice level over time.

    Diced jalapeno in a neat pile on a white cutting board next to a knife

    Jalapeno Recipes

    Getting ready to slice jalapeno peppers? Try some of our favorite recipes with jalapenos:

    • Mexican Street Corn Dip (Hot Corn Dip)
    • Bacon Jalapeño Deviled Eggs with Cream Cheese
    • Mexican Lasagna Recipe with Tortillas
    • Best Avocado Toast Toppings Bar
    • Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
    Close up of hot corn dip in a white bowl with tortilla scoops
    Mexican Street Corn Dip uses jalapenos and is so delicious!

    Jalapenos are delicious in tacos, nachos, and rice bowls, too. Try them in these easy jalapeno recipes:

    • Oven Roasted Pulled Pork Nachos
    • Steak Nachos
    • Pulled Pork Rice Teriyaki Bowl
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
    • Fish Tacos with Peach Salsa

    And of course, our Peach Mango Salsa is so tasty using everyone’s favorite hot pepper. We guarantee you will love this sweet-and-spicy salsa recipe!

    Taco lasagna on a spatula lifted out of the casserole dish
    Mexican Lasagna with Corn Tortillas is even better with jalapenos!

    How to Cut Jalapenos for Poppers

    If you’re making Jalapeno Poppers, which inspired our Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs recipe, then you will do things a bit differently.

    Instead of slicing the peppers as you will see in our guide below, cut a slice lengthwise through the pepper. Stop just above the bottom of the pepper and do not cut it in half. Remove the white rib and seeds using your spoon.

    This will leave you a jalapeno that is perfectly ready to make stuffed jalapenos, including jalapeno poppers. Enjoy!

    Save the Video Pin

    Want to know how to slice other vegetables, fruit, and more? Check out our guide on How to Use a Mandoline for the easiest way to cut all kinds of foods into perfect slices.

    📋 Recipe

    Holding two halves of a jalapeno pepper with the seeds removed for how to cut a jalapeno

    How to Cut a Jalapeno

    Isabel Laessig
    Learn How to Cut a Jalapeno easily! Whether you're cutting jalapenos into slices or dicing them, our easy guide will show you the best way to get the job done.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 0 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 sliced or diced jalapeno
    Calories 4 kcal

    Equipment

    • Sharp knife
    • Spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 jalapeno pepper
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Start by cutting the stem off your jalapeno.
      Slicing the stem off of a jalapeno on a white cutting board
    • Cut the jalapeno pepper in half.
      Cutting a jalapeno in half on a white cutting board
    • Take your spoon and scoop the seeds out from the inside of the pepper, scraping as much of the white rib out with the seeds.
      Removing the seeds from a jalapeno pepper using a spoon
    • Cut the two halves of the pepper into halves again.
      Four jalapeno strips from one whole pepper next to the stem on a cutting board
    • Cut into slices and begin dicing.
      How to cut a jalapeno: dicing a jalapeno on a cutting board

    Video

    Notes

    • Wear gloves to avoid the dreaded “hot pepper hands”. See the post for what you can do if you don’t have gloves!
    • Store sliced jalapenos in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 0.4mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 151IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.04mg
    Keyword cutting jalapenos, how to cut a jalapeno, how to cut jalapeno, jalapeno recipes, recipes with jalapenos
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
    Share
    Pin
    Share

    More How-to's & Guides

    • a steak seasoned with salt, pepper, and a rosemary sprig
      Seasoning with Salt
    • Beautiful grilled chicken breast on a cutting board
      Grilled Chicken Breast
    • Close up of four grilled corn on the cob in a foil pack for How to Grill Corn on the Cob in Foil
      How to Grill Corn on the Cob
    • six different kinds of avocado toast on a board
      How to Make Avocado Toast
    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Leave a rating!




    Primary Sidebar

    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table!

    • Family Foodie Facebook
    • Sunday Supper Pinterest
    • Sunday Supper Youtube
    • Family Foodie Instagram
    • Family Foodie Tiktok

    Sunday Dinner Ideas

    • Southern smothered pork chops in a cast iron skillet
      Pork Chop Recipes
    • Overhead shot of beef chuck roast recipe on a white platter with carrots and fresh herbs
      Beef Chuck Roast
    • up close baked portobello mushrooms surrounded by lettuce
      Portobello Mushroom Recipe
    • A fork with a bite of air fryer pork chops
      Air Fryer Pork Chops
    • Candied Bacon
    • Elotes Mexicanos on a white platter
      Elote Recipe

    Footer

    logos of brands sunday supper has worked with

    Connect with us!

    Join us around our family table by following us on social media, including our Sunday Supper Recipes group!

    • facebook
    • instagram
    • pinterest
    • youtube

    Our Brands

    Follow all of our websites for the best recipes catered to your needs!

    Sunday Supper Movement |
    Best Beef Recipes | Easy Sauce Recipes | Side Dish Ideas | Pork Recipe Ideas

    About Us

    • Contact Us
    • About Isabel and Sunday Supper
    • Our Partners
    • Disclosure & Privacy
    • No AI

    ↑ back to top

    Sunday Supper Logo

    Copyright 2012-2023 Sunday Supper Movement®, All Rights Reserved.