Spicy Recipes

Gochujang Wings

Gochujang Wings

Savory and spicy…

Gochujang wings (also often called Korean chicken wings) are spicy just the way we like: earthy, pungent, and bold. It’s that umami flavor of authentic gochujang that makes these wings so special. It’s a specific savory taste with a “love it or hate it” following. But if you love authentic Korean or Asian cuisine, you’ll love these wings no doubt.

We add some additional heat here with the inclusion of crushed red pepper, but gochujang is chili pepper based, so feel free to cut those flakes from the recipe if “too spicy” is part of your vocabulary. Want to make your own gochujang? It’s an intense process, but we have a simplified recipe here. It’s not quite as savory as authentic gochujang, but it cuts days (yes days…) out of the cooking process.

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Chipotle Alfredo Sauce

Chipotle Alfredo Sauce

Creamy with a touch of fire and smoke…

A simple pasta with alfredo sauce is made into something more dramatic with the inclusion of smoky chipotle peppers. Canned chipotle in adobo sauce brings a touch of smoke and fire to the table. It’s a delicious combo with the simple creaminess of alfredo sauce. Pair it with chicken or shrimp for a more hearty meal. Or thicken up the sauce a bit with some extra simmering time for something more dip-worthy.

If smokiness is not your thing, but you’re still looking for a fiery kick to your alfredo sauce, take a look at this delicious alternative. Our spicy alfredo sauce recipe uses cayenne – a more neutral flavor though with a certain uptick in kick – so the overall creamy alfredo flavor remains pure.

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Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup

Spicy Pumpkin And Butternut Squash Soup

Two hearty favorites in one bowl…

Pumpkin and squash are two hearty favorites when the season’s turn – both bring an earthy, homey flavor to delicious spicy soups. And together, they make one heck of a feel-good meal. Spicy pumpkin and butternut squash soup is pretty much a meal unto itself. Pair it with a side of crusty bread and just enjoy the warmth this soup brings to your life.

The spiciness comes from crushed red pepper, so you can control the heat easily to your liking. Cumin is a secondary spice here giving the soup an earthy warmth that works so well with fiery foods.

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Spicy Turkey Gravy

Spicy Turkey Gravy

Chipotle brings a smoky warmth…

Sure, any type of turkey gravy is pretty delicious, whether over turkey, mashed potatoes, or any of the typical sides that often accompany them. But if you’re looking for something a bit more memorable, that chipotle powder in your spice rack can be just what you need. This spicy turkey gravy has a touch of smoky warmth from the chipotle peppers that works quite well with classic turkey meals.

Feel free to adjust the amount of chipotle powder as you see fit. You could also try this recipe with chipotle in adobo sauce instead. Start with a half chipotle pepper mashed into a paste. You can also use some of that deliciously earthy adobo sauce in the mix for a spicy gravy that’s a bit more exotic.

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Spicy Green Bean Casserole

Spicy Green Bean Casserole

A smoky, fiery take on the green bean classic…

Here’s a little twist on the classic green bean casserole that many of us grew up with. It has all of the cream of mushroom goodness you expect, but the added kick is smoky chipotle pepper powder. Chipotle’s smokiness is so good with the earthy flavor of the mushrooms, and its jalapeño-level heat is still pretty family-friendly, particularly with the amount we use here.

Keep the recipe handy for any time of year. Spicy green bean casserole is one of those versatile sides that works just as well as a BBQ side as it does next to a holiday ham or turkey. Plus, it’s an excellent way to use a ton of those fresh green beans from your garden (though canned cut green beans work well too).,

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Pumpkin mole sauce

Pumpkin Mole Sauce

An earthy fall-focused mole…

Pumpkin season means pumpkins are…well in everything. Soups, drinks, desserts, and yes…sauces. They are particularly good with Mexican sauces like mole. And it makes sense – mole sauce is already deliciously earthy and sweet, making pumpkin – a vegetable native to Mexico – a perfect addition to the mix. Try it with chicken, steak, and really and Mexican dish as a seasonal alternative to the normal mole.

We spice up this mole beyond the mild ancho pepper with a bit of crushed red pepper. If you prefer keeping it mild just remove the red pepper flakes. It’ll have a very mild hint of heat.

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Spicy Creole sauce

Spicy Creole Sauce

Butter and spice…

This butter-based spicy Creole sauce is plenty rich with a whole lot of Southern charm. It uses a wide variety of spices off the spice rack – most of which are part of a typical Creole spice mix. So if you have a premade Creole seasoning at the ready, you could swap out the dried seasonings below for a comparable amount of seasoning (approximately three tablespoons). Note – Creole seasonings differ slightly in ingredients, so there may be a slightly different end flavor if you choose this option. Our homemade Creole seasoning recipe, for instance, includes basil and thyme in the mix.

Cayenne pepper is the spicy star here (and would also be present in a pre-made seasoning mix), but the sauce also gets a little heat from a few dashes of Tabasco sauce. Adjust both to your liking (up or down). Try this sauce with fish, particularly shrimp and catfish. Or add some delicious spice to your breakfast. This sauce is oh so tasty drizzled over scrambled eggs.

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Cajun meatloaf

Cajun Meatloaf

Cajun comfort food…

Looking for a comfort food recipe that has something to say in the spice department? Meet Cajun meatloaf. This Southern-inspired recipe is plenty filling with a delicious Cajun bite.

The oomph behind this meatloaf are three Southern staples: Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and Tabasco sauce. It’s not overkill in terms of spiciness here – most in the family can enjoy this dish even if they aren’t normally fans of spicy food. Really, Cajun cuisine is all about the flavorful spices, not just the spiciness. Though, if you prefer some extra heat, feel free to go heavy-handed on the cayenne. An extra half teaspoon (or more to your taste) brings some extra edge for those more die-hard spicy food fans. Or try adding a touch of cayenne to the honey ketchup that tops the meatloaf. 

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