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    Home » Most Recent

    Jalapeno vs. Chipotle in Adobo vs. Morita: What's the Difference?

    September 29, 2023 By Patrick 8 Comments

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    This is one of the most common questions I get so I figured it's time to make a post about it!

    Take a look at the pic below...which of these chiles have you used before?  

    All the chiles with labels: jalapeno, morita, chipotle in adobo, meco

    Jalapeno vs. Chipotle in Adobo vs. Morita: What's the Difference?

    Let's start with a plain ol' green Jalapeno.

    These are the ones you're probably most familiar with -- they're typically picked off the vine when they're about three inches in length. 

    Three jalapenos I used for the jar of pickled jalapenos

    You'll find these fresh Jalapenos tucked away in the produce section of your grocery store.  They are sharp, versatile, and I use them all the time!

    If you let that green Jalapeno stay on the vine long enough it will turn reddish in color.  Producers take these red jalapenos, de-hydrate them, and then put them in the smoker for a bit.

    Leftover stem on chile morita 

    The result is a Morita chile, also sometimes referred to as a Chipotle Morita.

    These deliciously complex chiles are packed with flavor and come with a burst of smoky heat. 

    The next step is to take some Morita chiles and store them in a tangy, seasoned adobo sauce.  And just like that you've got Chipotles in Adobo!

    Keep a few cans of these chipotles in adobo around and you'll always have the option of making these seven recipes! mexicanplease.com

    These Chipotles in Adobo come with the same rich flavor of the Moritas, but with the addition of some tang from the vinegar in the adobo sauce. 

    You'll typically find cans of Chipotles in Adobo in the Latin goods section of your grocery store.   More info on working with Chipotles in Adobo. 

    Showing all of the chiles next to each other: jalapeno, morita, chipotle in adobo meco

    Chipotles in Adobo also come with one other distinct advantage:  they're already reconstituted!

    If you're starting with a Morita then you'll usually want to re-hydrate it before use, this will help its flavor infuse into your dish. 

    But Chipotles in Adobo have been resting in the adobo sauce for months, so they are already in a mushy, ready-to-use state. 

    And the final step is to let that dried jalapeno keep on smoking!

    The result is a Chipotle Meco -- this is a dried jalapeno that's been smoked for significantly longer than Moritas.

    Single Chipotle Meco chile 

    So yes, Meco chiles come with a heavily smoked flavor.  That makes them unique and less common for everyday use in the kitchen, but still worth experimenting with. 

    Now that you know the main differences between these options, what should you make with them?!

    I get tons of mileage from fresh Jalapenos and from Chipotles in Adobo.  So if these two options are not staples in your kitchen then it's time to change that!

    Keeping fresh Jalapenos on hand will give you access to some really awesome Salsas, like these:

    Tomato Jalapeno Salsa
    Salsa Verde
    Roasted Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa

    This is a delicious Salsa to add to your repertoire! It uses both tomatoes and tomatillos to create a completely unique flavor. Yum!! mexicanplease.com

    And here are the other recipes I frequently make using fresh Jalapenos:

    Pickled Jalapenos
    Jalapeno Hot Sauce
    Roasted Jalapeno Soup

    Sometimes the zip from a pickled jalapeno will create the perfectly balanced taco bite. Making a batch of these Taqueria Style Pickled Jalapeno and Carrots is super easy and lets you control how much spice you want in your life. Buen Provecho. mexicanplease.com

    Keeping Chipotles in Adobo in the kitchen will give you instant access to these delicious Salsas:

    Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa
    Tomato Chipotle Salsa

    A rich Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa that's bursting with flavor. No one will believe you when you show them the tiny ingredient list. So good! mexicanplease.com

    And there are loads of other recipes you can make using Chipotles in Adobo.  I like using them to make Refried Beans and to make Chicken Tinga.  Here's a full list of Chipotles in Adobo recipes:

    23 Easy Recipes You Can Make with Chipotles in Adobo

    This is a delicious, fiery version of Chicken Tinga. The key is to use both tomatoes and tomatillos, along with plenty of chipotles! mexicanplease.com

    When you have Moritas on hand you can use them anywhere a Chipotle in Adobo is called for!   

    They have a similar flavor, but you'll usually want to reconstitute the Moritas first: 

    How To Reconstitute Dried Chiles
    Homemade Chile Powder
    Making Chipotles in Adobo using Morita Chiles

    Reconstituting chipotle chilis

    And if you want to experiment with Meco chiles then I usually recommend trying them out in this Salsa to get a sense of their flavor:

    Chipotle Meco Salsa

    Spoonful of Chipotle Meco Salsa

    Okay, I hope this solves any questions you may have about Jalapenos, Moritas, and Chipotles in Adobo. 

    I get so much mileage from Jalapenos and Chipotles in Adobo, so please consider making them a staple in your kitchen!  Let me know if you have any questions about working with them. 

    All the chiles with labels: jalapeno, morita, chipotle in adobo, meco

     

    Related Posts:

    Working with Chipotles in Adobo
    What Are Morita Chiles?
    Jalapeno Chiles:  Here's What You Need To Know
    Jalapeno vs. Serrano:  What's the Difference?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Boo Scruff

      November 04, 2023 at 9:04 am

      An excellent and highly informative article on the chiles, differences, uses, recipes-Wonderful ! Ah the foods of the Gods from Cozumel and surrounding area, I also had an opportunity to spend time & visit around Cancun, Isla de las Mujeres, Tulum, Xelha. The prawns are sweet & fresh, the beautiful fruits were delicious. I wish you could have experienced that entire area 50 years ago. I learned Mexican cuisine is much, much more that "tacos" Thank you so much for sharing your genuine, real deal Mexican foods. Keep up the great work.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        November 06, 2023 at 12:15 pm

        Thanks Boo!

        Reply
    2. DC

      September 30, 2023 at 10:21 am

      Excellent and informative post. Thanks, Patrick!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        October 13, 2023 at 5:04 pm

        Thanks DC!

        Reply
    3. Brian Lueken

      September 30, 2023 at 9:03 am

      Great article. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        October 13, 2023 at 5:05 pm

        Cheers Brian.

        Reply
    4. Argonn

      September 30, 2023 at 8:24 am

      I truly enjoyed this post, and am very happy to have found your site. Thanks for all you do!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        October 13, 2023 at 5:05 pm

        Thanks Argonn!

        Reply

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