How to Preserve New Mexico Green Chiles for Year-Round Use

If you love green chile’s bold and smoky flavor, you don’t need to wait until summer in New Mexico to enjoy them. Using the right preservation methods can help you enjoy delicious chiles all year round, adding them to dips, chili, sauces, stews, and soups.

Knowing how to preserve New Mexico green chiles is an essential part of cooking Southwestern cuisine. Learn every technique in this guide.

1. Roast, peel, and cool the chiles properly

The foundation and long-term preservation start with correctly preparing the roasted New Mexico green chiles. Regardless of whether you use a gas burner, grill, or oven as a heat source, you want the peppers to char evenly, allowing the outer skin to loosen and peel off easily.​

Here’s how you can prepare the chiles for preservation:

• Roast the peppers in a single layer until they blister and become tender.
• Place them right away in a bowl, pan, or bag and cover with a towel to steam.
• When they’re warm and soft, peel off the skin with your hands or a knife.
• Rinse the chiles lightly only if needed. Too much water can wash away the flavor.
• Remove the seeds if the recipe instructs you to do so.
• Let the roasted chiles cool before packing.

2. Freeze chiles in plastic freezer bags

Freezing is a simple and common method for preserving chiles. Use plastic freezer bags or shallow containers to keep the portions manageable.

Follow these freezing tips:

• ​Pack whole chiles or chopped ones in a single layer.
• Squeeze out as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
• Label each bag or container with dates to track the year and freshness.
• Put the chiles in the freezer without stacking them until they freeze fully.

This method keeps the peppers ready when you need to pull them out, in case you decide to cook a spicy dish.

3. Use the vacuum seal method

If you want your New Mexico chiles to last long, you can vacuum-seal them for maximum protection. That way, the chiles are ready whenever you need them for cooking, whether it's winter, holidays, or even on weeknights.

​Vacuum sealing works because it reduces the risk of freezer burn and extends the life of the peppers for up to one year or more.

​Put the roasted peppers in specialized bags, seal them tightly, and store them in your freezer. The authentic Hatch taste is retained when the vacuum-sealed chiles thaw nicely.

4. Store chiles in mason jars or plastic containers

If you want to refrigerate the chiles, store them in mason jars, plastic containers, or jars with tight lids. This is perfect when you want to use the peppers within a week.

Here’s how you can refrigerate your chiles safely.

1. Pack whole or chopped chiles tightly.
2. Add a light brine or broth if you want.
3. Keep the jars refrigerated at a safe temperature.
4. Make sure the lids are sealed well to avoid odors.

Refrigerated chiles may not last as long as the frozen ones, but you can use them for eggs, tacos, and weekend meals.

5. Use the canning method

The canned method allows your peppers to stay open year-round on pantry shelves. Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Follow proven and tested food safety procedures.
• Use sterilized lids and jars.
• Pack roasted peppers into jars.
• Add hot brine.
• Process the jar in a pressure canner according to jar size and altitude.

Canned chiles are ideal for road trips, beach outings, and camping excursions. Bring the taste of New Mexico anywhere with you.

6. Freeze chiles in a single layer

If you want to use the chiles for morning eggs or last-minute meals, the single-layer freezing approach works. Lay the peppers flat on a box or pan, then freeze them until solid. Transfer them to plastic freezer bags.

Faster freezing can lead to better flavor, and removing the individual pieces becomes easier. Freezing also prevents the peppers from sticking together. This method is ideal if you cook frequently and you want chiles ready for cooking at short notice.

7. Store chiles whole for recipes that need more texture

Many family recipes like rellenos rely on the chiles’ structure. Storing them whole in the freezer, plastic containers, or vacuum-sealed bags keeps them smooth before cooking.

Here’s how you can store whole peppers:​

• Remove the skin.
• Freezer flat to prevent bending.
• Keep minimum air exposure.

The peppers thaw beautifully, retaining their signature heat, when you pull them out of the freezer.

Where to Buy Hatch Chiles

You can find Hatch chiles in grocery stores. Companies like the Fresh Chile Company also offer fresh, roasted, and jarred varieties shipped from New Mexico to your door. You can cook your favorite dishes all year round with the chile variety that your recipe needs.

Final Words

Preserving New Mexico green chile becomes easy when you learn how to roast, clean, and properly store it. Whether you put them on plastic freezer bags or mason jars, all these techniques keep your green chiles fresh and flavorful. You can easily grab a bag when you want some spicy kick in your meals.