Are you planning on cooking with Cubanelle peppers for the first time? If you answered yes to that question, then you’re going to need to make sure that you’re well aware of its flavor, texture and what kind of ingredients it goes best with to ensure that all of your dishes are a tasty success. Read on!
What Is The Cubanelle Pepper?
Whether it’s going to be your first time cooking with Cubanelle peppers or you simply want to brush up on your knowledge of this pepper before cooking with them – you’re making a great choice to do a little bit of research prior to using them.
In a nutshell, the Cubanelle pepper is a type of pepper that is characterized by its sweet flavor profile that is enhanced by an element of subtle spiciness. Thanks to this, it means that it’s an awesome all-rounder and ideal for incorporating into a variety of different dishes.

Nevertheless, even though the Cubanelle pepper is a type of pepper that is typically considered to be relatively mild, it’s worth noting that the level of heat can occasionally vary from mild to moderate – which is something to keep in mind if you are on the search for a pepper that is exclusively mild and mellow on the tongue.
On average, Cubanelle peppers will grow to around 4-6 inches long, and will typically be around 2 inches in width, although this isn’t always the case. They are a vibrant green in color and become more narrow as you reach the bottom of its pod.
A healthy Cubanelle pepper will have a glossy/shiny surface that will be free from any marks or stains and have a smooth yet tough texture.
How Hot The Cubanelle Pepper Is
As we have already mentioned above, the Cubanelle pepper is relatively mild in flavor and is characterized by a mellow sweetness that is set alight slightly by a hint of spice.
On average, the Cubanelle pepper has a heat rating of between 0-1000 Scoville heat units, which is a great deal milder than popular peppers such as jalapeno peppers and chili pepper.
The Texture Of The Cubanelle Pepper
The Cubanelle pepper has a pretty crunchy texture that adds a delicious dimension to various dishes, including tasty salads.
Thanks to their thick, crunchier texture, it means that the Cubanelle pepper can be chopped up into small pieces and incorporated into a burrito, or could even be chopped up, pan-fried, and then enjoyed – either by themselves as a delicious snack or as the perfect finishing touch to any dish that you like.
Not just that, but even though the Cubanelle Pepper is known for having a crunchy texture, the Cubanelle Pepper is characterized by relatively thick pod walls.
Thanks to this, it means that, alongside being pan-fried or chopped up, you could even opt to cut your Cubanelle Peppers in half, stuff them with a filling food of your choice, and then either bake or grill them for a delicious and simple dish perfect for busy weekday nights after work. They’re super versatile, delicious and the perfect addition to any dish!

Frequently Asked Questions
What’s A Good Alternative To A Cubanelle Pepper?
If Cubanelle peppers aren’t really your thing or you’d simply like an alternative at hand for those days when you don’t have any left in your cooking pantry – the great news is that there are a variety of different alternatives that you can choose to work in place of the Cubanelle.
For starters, given the fact that Cubanelles are so versatile thanks to their sweet flavor profile and subtle hints of spice, it means that a variety of alternative peppers can be used without tasting too different. Check them out below:
- Banana peppers
- Bell peppers
- Anaheim peppers
Even though all three of these peppers are considered to be great alternatives to the Cubanelle pepper, it is worth noting that the flavor profile of each varies slightly – which is something that you should keep in mind.
To break it down, Anaheim peppers are slightly more bitter tasting than Cubanelle peppers, although they offer a near-identical texture. As for banana peppers?
Despite being very different, they actually have very similar flavor profiles and textures, which makes them an awesome option for when you’re in need of a substitute to your usual Cubanelle pepper.
Last but not least, you could also opt to try bell peppers, which have a similar level of sweetness to Cubanelle peppers – but are far thicker in texture than them.
Is The Cubanelle Pepper The Same As Banana Pepper?
Even though Cubanelle peppers and Banana peppers have a very similar flavor profile and texture, it’s important to keep in mind that they are quite different!
The Cubanelle pepper has a very sweet and mild flavor profile that works in a variety of different dishes, while the Banana pepper is very similar in taste and texture, although it is worth noting that the Banana pepper is slightly spicier and has more of a kick.
Nevertheless, both types of pepper are very similar, which means that they can be worked into a variety of different dishes interchangeably.