What Is Cayenne pepper and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about cayenne pepper and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 1,676 recipes to cook tonight.

What is cayenne pepper?

Cayenne pepper is high in vitamin A. It also contains vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium and manganese.

Cayenne is a popular spice in a variety of cuisines. It is employed variously in its fresh form, dried and powdered, and as dried flakes. It is also a key ingredient in a variety of hot sauces, particularly those employing vinegar as a preservative.

Cayenne pepper

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tbsp (5g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 15Calories from Fat 7

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 0.9g 1%

Saturated Fat 0.2g 1%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 1mg 0%

Total Carbohydrate 2.8g 1%

Dietary Fiber 1g 5%

Sugars 0.5

Protein 0.6g

Vitamin A 42% Vitamin C 6%

Calcium 1% • Iron 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper is usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Cayenne pepper is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese: 辣椒
British (UK) term: Cayenne pepper
en français: poivre de cayenne
en español: pimienta de cayena

How much does cayenne pepper weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 tbsp	5 grams
1 teaspoon	1 grams

Spices and Herbs

Allspice 904 Allspice berries 37 Star anise 178 Aniseed 23 Bay leaves 2049 Caraway seeds 321 Cardamom pods 100 Cardamom seeds 317 Celery seeds 283 Chervil 65

Recipes using cayenne pepper

There are 1676 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Beef Rib Marinade

Take your beef ribs to the next level with this web marinade that imparts incredible flavor deep into meaty beef ribs. Whether you're grilling, smoking, or using an Instant Pot for tender fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, marinate to start things off right.

Always Loved Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili with bulgur and vegetables--Vegetarian chili: hot satisfying dish for fans of meatless mains.

Borani Esfanaj (Spinach-Yogurt Salad or Dip)

Spinach yogurt dip with a touch of kick. Musky and sweet spices compliment the spinach and tangy yogurt.

Pressure Cooked Chili Con Chickpeas

Pressure-cooked chickpea chili swaps beef for nutty garbanzos, building heat from toasted cumin seeds, chili powder, and a generous handful of fresh cilantro. A meatless one-pot weeknight chili.

Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka, cubes of Indian paneer marinated in spiced yogurt with tandoori spices, chaat masala, ginger, and garlic, then pan-fried golden and served with peppers and onions. A vegetarian Indian classic.

Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer

Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.

Very Creamy Corn-Potato Soup

Creamy corn-potato soup pureed thick with skim milk, dry milk powder, mustard, garlic, and a touch of honey. Low-fat vegetarian chowder that tastes richer than its calorie count suggests.

Ginger Broccoli Soup

Ginger broccoli soup steeps fresh grated ginger in vegetable stock with cayenne and lemon, then simmers broccoli florets just to tender. A vibrant, brothy bowl with Ayurvedic roots, ready in 40 minutes.

Very Cheesy Casserole

Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.

Classic Tuna Salad

Classic tuna salad with crunchy celery and onion, creamy mayo, tangy dry mustard, and a touch of sweet relish. The quick, crowd-pleasing filling for sandwiches, wraps, or crackers.

Garlic Gazpacho

Spanish-style garlic gazpacho blends fresh tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and raw garlic into a chilled, no-cook summer soup. Vegan, gluten-free, and lemon-bright.

Garlic & Parmesan Popcorn

Pop that popcorn with fresh garlic and dress with parmesan for a garlicky cheesy twist on a quick and easy healthy snack.

Chilled Sonoma Tomato Vegetable Soup

California-style chilled gazpacho built from peak summer tomatoes, English cucumber, red bell peppers, jalapeno, serrano, and a chiffonade of fresh herbs. Vegan, low-fat, and made for blistering Sonoma afternoons.

Capsicum (Bell Pepper) Toast

Capsicum toast recipe with semolina. Fresh bell pepper, tomato and onion mixed into a spread, pan-toasted on bread for a crispy open-faced snack or healthy kids lunch. Ready in 25 minutes with simple steps.

Lemon Rice & Pea Chapatis

Indian-style lemon rice and pea chapati wraps with brown rice, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and a bright lemon-tamari finish. Vegan, ready in 25 minutes when rice is pre-cooked.

Grilled Jerk Pork Chops

A seasoning mix that originated in Jamaica, jerk is popular throughout the Caribbean in the preparation of meats such as pork and chicken for grilling. Jerk seasoning typically includes chilies, onion, allspice, and thyme.

Best Black Bean Chili

Black bean chili built on home-ground spices and dried ancho chile. Vegetarian, vegan-adaptable, with toasted cumin and homemade chili powder. Serve over melted cheese with creme fraiche and roasted poblanos.

Carrots-Spicy & Sour

Carrots caramelize in hot oil until golden at the edges, then get tossed with tangy rice vinegar and savory black bean sauce for a quick Asian-inspired side dish with a spicy kick.

Spicy Pepper Butter Fried Turkey

Deep-fried turkey injected with a spicy pepper butter that seasons the bird from the inside out. The same butter mixture doubles as a baste for an oven-roasted version.

Bhel Puri

This is the most commonly sold chaat in the streets of Mumbai. Almost every street has its own friendly bhelwala with his inimitable blends of chutneys and masalas. Bhel is a delectable combination of papadis, puffed rice, sev, onions, potatoes, raw mango and chutneys. The proportions of the various chutneys can be changed to adjust to your personal preferences. Toast the puffed rice to make bhel crisp before using it to make bhel. If you store the puffed rice, sev and papadi and refrigerate or freeze the chutneys, you can rustle up a heavy snack in a jiffy for your hungry kids returning from school.

Casual Korean Mak Kimchi

Mak kimchi ferments chopped napa cabbage with daikon, garlic, carrot, anchovies, and chili flakes for a quick-style Korean kimchi. A 2-day countertop ferment that keeps for 10 days.

Chili, Chuck Morford

A hearty beef and two-bean chili loaded with jalapenos, kidney and black beans, and a deep spice blend, slow-simmered with an optional splash of beer. Big-batch, crowd-pleasing, and seriously warming.

So Good Carrot & Orange Soup

Carrot and orange soup with leeks, cayenne, and ginger blended into a silky vegan puree. Bright citrus and warm spice work together for a soup that shines hot or chilled.

Rubber Stamp Gingerbread Cookies

Rubber stamp gingerbread cookies bake up firm enough to hold cutter shapes and decorate, with a pinch of cayenne hiding behind the molasses, ginger, and cloves for unexpected warmth.

Vegan Sour Cream-Eggplant Meatballs

Moist and Delicious These Vegan Sour Cream-Eggplant Meatballs Are Great Tasting In My Homemade Sauce!! ..Topped Over A Bed Of Spaghetti Pasta!

Chili Super Bowl

Big-batch Super Bowl chili with ground beef, pinto beans, and tomato juice base, simmered low for hours with a deep spice blend of cumin, cayenne, and paprika. Feeds a crowd.

Mom's Spiced Carrot Soup

Mom's spiced carrot soup purees tender carrots into a silky bowl warmed with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a whisper of cayenne. Healthy, low-fat, and on the table in 30 minutes.

Barb's Best Gazpacho

Gazpacho done right: ripe tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers blended smooth, then topped with the same vegetables finely diced for crunch. A no-cook chilled soup with lime, Tabasco heat, and an optional vodka kick.

Spicy Red Bean Soup

Spicy red bean soup with a smoky ham hock, cheesecloth-bundled cumin and cayenne, and a finish of Tabasco and parsley. A slow-simmered pot of Southern comfort food.

Broccoli Rabe, Potato & Rosemary Pizza

Gourmet vegetarian pizza topped with roasted potatoes, blanched broccoli rabe, fresh rosemary, and two cheeses. This Italian-inspired pizza balances bitter greens with creamy potatoes.

Comfy Corn & Potato Chowder

Corn and potato chowder simmers red potatoes, sweet corn, carrots, and celery in vegetable stock with a splash of sherry, then blitzes a cup of soup smooth to thicken the broth naturally. No cream, all comfort.

Southwestern Potato Salad II

My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.

Cheesy Pan-Roasted Broccoli

Pan-roasting prevents the broccoli from becoming limp. A quick rich, cheesy (Swiss, Cheddar or Gruyere) pan sauce captures the caramelized bits of flavor. Bring them together and everyone loves their broccoli!

Middle Eastern Kebabs

Middle Eastern lamb kebabs (kofta) blend ground lamb with garlic, ginger, cumin, mint, and parsley before grilling on skewers. Serve with pita, salad, and yogurt for an authentic mezze dinner.

Baked Fish with Quick Tomato Confit

Baked fish with a quick flavourful confit of two kinds of tomatoes and citrus.

Chernobyl Chili

Chernobyl Chili: a big-batch ground beef and red kidney bean chili with 4 tablespoons of chili powder and serious heat. Cooked in the microwave then served from the crockpot. Built for a crowd.

New Corn Chowder, Southern Style

Southern corn chowder with fresh-scraped corn pulp, bacon, potatoes, tomatoes, and a bouquet garni. Cream-finished, brightened with cayenne. A simmered farmhouse chowder.

Loaded Vegetable Burger

Loaded vegetable burger with corn, mushroom, peppers, spinach, carrot, and potato bound with egg white. Served with mint yogurt sauce. Vegetarian patties.

Vegan Rancheros Spaghetti

Bright In Color!! ..Great In Taste! ..This Delicious Mexican Style Spaghetti Dish Is Flavorful And Fun To Make!! Served Warm or Room Temperature.. It's Great!! Anytime.. Summer Or Winter!!

Carol's Moosewood Vegetarian Chili

Moosewood-style vegetarian chili with kidney beans, bulgur wheat, fresh tomatoes, peppers, and a warm chili-cumin spice mix. A hearty, protein-rich plant-based main from the iconic Ithaca cookbook tradition.

Quick Rémoulade (Creole Tartar Sauce)

This vibrant Creole-style rémoulade sauce, a zesty twist on tartar sauce, boasts bold flavors from whole-grain mustard, tangy pickles, and a kick of cayenne. Perfect for crab cakes, shrimp, or any fish dish, it’s a versatile condiment that elevates seafood with its creamy, spicy profile.