Cayenne peppers come in many forms. Fresh, dried, powdered, in flakes, in sauce form, you name it. This round-up of recipes will show you how to use them. Even when it’s not the main ingredient, cayenne pepper is definitely the key to giving the dishes that intense punch of flavor. This collection covers a wide array of dishes, ranging from dips to truffles, and even lemonade! You’ll be surprised at how versatile this spice is. So, if you’re curious as to the many ways you can incorporate cayenne pepper into your meals, get ready to get cooking. I’m all fired up and ready to go, so let’s get the ball rolling.
1. Alton Brown Meatloaf
In my search for the best meatloaf recipe, Alton Brown is one of the best. His results in one of the most immaculately moist, tender, and flavorful meatloaf I’ve ever had in my life. And that’s saying a lot because I have eaten too much for one lifetime. Besides the impeccable texture, it’s also the flavors that keep me coming back for more. The secret is the blend of spices. The perfect blend of black pepper, chili powder, thyme, and cayenne makes the meatloaf hot and spicy.
2. Fish Tacos Recipe with Best Fish Taco Sauce
Tacos aren’t reserved for Tuesdays! Fish tacos are always a great idea for lunch or dinner. The tilapia fillets are seasoned beautifully with salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne, so you know you won’t get bland fish, here. As usual, the tacos are loaded with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, cotija, or whatever else you like. What sets them apart, though, is the sauce, which is a heavenly combination of mayo, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and Sriracha.
3. Million-Dollar Dip
My recipe for million-dollar dip is out-of-this-world fantastic! Am I conceited for saying this? Maybe. Am I being truthful? For sure. This dip is a ridiculously rich (hence the name) and creamy mixture of mayo, cheese, bacon, almonds, and green onions. To cut through all that richness is today’s special ingredient, cayenne pepper. I recommend just adding a pinch, but you can be as liberal or conservative as you want.
4. Homemade Cayenne Pepper Sauce
Move over, Frank’s RedHot! This recipe is here, and it’s here to stay. It’s ideal if you have an abundance of fresh peppers and are running out of ways to use them. Making homemade cayenne pepper sauce isn’t as difficult as you think. In fact, all you need are four ingredients: garlic, vinegar, salt, and obviously, cayenne peppers. It’s not just a breeze to make, but also easy to customize! Make it as hot or as mild as your tastebuds can handle.
5. Cowboy Chili
Rich, hearty, beefy, cowboy chili is the perfect cure for the blues! Ground beef and beans are cooked in a thick tomato sauce and seasoned to perfection. The seasonings might not be the main attraction, but they’re definitely responsible for making you crave that second serving.
6. Cajun Chicken Alfredo
The timeless chicken Alfredo is given a Cajun twist in this glorious fusion recipe! What’s not to love? The pasta is perfectly al dente, and it’s not tough or soggy. The Alfredo sauce is extra rich and creamy, thanks to a combo of whole milk, heavy, cream, and parmesan cheese. Taking it to the next level is fried cajun chicken on top, which is seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, and cayenne. That’s perfection, right there.
7. Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
While the flavors from Dr. Pepper are what make this pulled pork sensational, the addition of cayenne pepper sure does give it that extra oomph. As you know, Dr. Pepper has a very sweet flavor profile, so it’s important to add some spice in there to balance things out. Thanks to cayenne (and other spices and seasonings), your pulled pork will have a wonderful balance of sweet, savory, and smoky.
8. Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Just by the name, you can already tell this appetizer’s going to be a huge hit. And it absolutely will. These puff pastry twists are seasoned generously with freshly grated gruyere and parmesan cheese. It gives them a lovely salty, nutty, and creamy flavor. Balancing out the richness is a sprinkling of cayenne and paprika. Together, the cheese and spices make the cheese straws a culinary masterpiece.
9. Homemade Detox Lemonade Cleanse
This detox drink is excellent after days of enjoying indulgent meals. One mug full of this tonic will cleanse your body and rid it of toxins. It sounds like such a dreadful beverage, but it’s not! This is actually just a hot lemonade infused with ginger and cayenne. It’s sweet, refreshing, and warming, all at the same time.
10. Outback Ranch Dressing (Copycat Recipe)
This may be a copycat of the Outback ranch dressing, but I say it tastes better! It’s creamy, tangy, and bursting with fresh herbs and spices. The creamy texture is as wonderful as the taste, as well, Use this ranch dressing as a dip, a sauce, on salads, anything you can think of. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll definitely want to.
11. Hot Chili Pepper Truffles
Not gonna lie, this recipe is without a doubt my favorite one on the list. Hot pepper truffles, anyone? When I was little, I never imagined myself enjoying chocolate truffles that had pepper in them. But now, I can’t get enough. These truffles are made of smooth and silky chocolate ganache infused with a bit of cayenne powder. The pepper gives a little bit of heat that compliments the richness of the chocolate very well.
12. Blackened Chicken
This dish is made with chicken breasts covered in a dry rub of herbs and spiced and cooked over high heat to give it that crisp, charred crust. You’ll love how this chicken is outrageously tender and moist on the inside. The dry rub is a mix of salt, pepper, paprika thyme, cumin, and cayenne. It provides the chicken with a lovely Cajun-inspired flavor.
13. Chicken Tortilla Soup
It’s rich, creamy, and everything you want comfort food to be. Chunks of chicken swim in a delectable tomato-based broth that’s cooked with sauteed onions, garlic, and cilantro. Cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, and cayenne give it the perfect amount of heat. Traditional toppings of avocados, tortilla chips, and cheese complete the equation.
14. Classic Cajun Dirty Rice
Why settle for white rice when you can have this amazing Cajun dirty rice? Believe me, you’ll crave this side dish for days on end. In spite of being just a side dish, this dirty rice has the ability to be the star of any meal. Seasoned with chicken broth, bacon drippings, butter, vegetables, and spices, this rice is ridiculously rich. Adding more intrigue to it are flavorful bits of chicken gizzards and livers.
15. Romesco Sauce
It’s a French sauce that’s bursting with flavors from roasted tomatoes and peppers, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, and more. It’s creamy, savory, spicy, and downright delicious. Romesco sauce is a great garnish for grilled vegetables, fish, and meat entrees. It’s also a fantastic dip for bread, chips, and crackers. Click on a star to rate it!
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