Medium

Guajillo Pepper: The Complete Guide (3K–5K SHU)

3K–5K SHU · tangy and sweet · Mexico

Quick Facts Heat & Flavor Best Substitutes Related Peppers Sources & References

Quick Facts

Scoville Heat Units
2,500 – 5,000 SHU
Medium
Species
C. annuum
Most common species
Origin
Mexico
Where it was first cultivated
Flavor Profile
tangy and sweet
Primary taste notes
Heat Category
Medium
1K–10K SHU

Heat & Flavor Profile

The Guajillo Pepper registers 3K–5K Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the Medium tier (1K–10K SHU).

Heat Position on the Scoville Scale
0 SHU 3,200,000+ SHU

Flavor notes: tangy and sweet.

tangy sweet C. annuum

Substitutes for Guajillo Pepper

Closest match: Jalapeño. These peppers share a similar heat range or flavor profile and work well as substitutes in most recipes.

1
Jalapeño
3K–8K SHU · Mexico · bright and grassy
Medium
2
Chipotle
3K–8K SHU · Mexico · smoky and sweet
Medium
3
Poblano Pepper
1K–2K SHU · Mexico · earthy and rich
Medium
Sources & References

Data from USDA FoodData Central, the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Species classification: C. annuum — based on published botanical taxonomy.

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