60 of Our Favorite Spicy Recipes

Updated February 18, 2016
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

These spicy recipes feature everything from chipotle peppers to the best homemade sriracha sauces you'll ever try. You'll be fanning the flames in no time with these untameable fiery flavors. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 60

Spicy Hungarian Tilapia Stew

Credit: Squire Fox; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross

Spicy Hungarian Tilapia Stew Recipe

Talk about packing some heat: This stew is fiery-fantastic, and we absolutely love it. You can alter the spiciness by using a milder pepper (such as banana pepper or Anaheim chile) or adjusting the amounts and types of paprika.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 60

Spicy Shrimp Noodles

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Spicy Shrimp Noodles Recipe

These superfast bowls satisfy with filling brown rice noodles and fresh shrimp. If you can’t find brown rice noodles, substitute your favorite whole-grain linguine or fettuccine.

3 of 60

Spicy Chorizo Monkey Bread

Credit: Time Inc. Video Studios

Spicy Chorizo Monkey Bread Recipe

Slightly spicy, cheesy and rich, this savory twist on monkey bread is tender on the inside and crispy on top. Fresh chorizo can be found at the grocery store or Mexican market, and the drippings are a perfect binding agent in the bread. 

Advertisement

4 of 60

Kickin' Orange-Glazed Chicken

Credit: Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Kickin' Orange-Glazed Chicken Recipe

Don't be deceived, although citrusy-glazed, this kickin' chicken packs a major punch.

5 of 60

White Bean and Chorizo Soup

Credit: Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

White Bean and Chorizo Soup Recipe

Fresh chorizo sausage gives this soup its vibrant red-orange hue and fiery flavor.

6 of 60

Spicy Zucchini Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Spicy Zucchini Salad Recipe

Fiber- and protein-packed chickpeas bulk up this late-summer salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 60

Spicy Eggplant With Plums

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Spicy Eggplant With Plums Recipe

This combo of spicy char, sweet fruit, and creamy yogurt is a surefire hit. For a tasty swap, try halved pitted cherries in place of plums.

8 of 60

Korean Steak Sandwiches

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Korean Steak Sandwiches Recipe

Spicy slaw made with Korean chili paste gives this steak sandwich it's heat.

9 of 60

Roasted Red Pepper Hot Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Roasted Red Pepper Hot Sauce Recipe

Roasted 3 pepper sauce adds a delicious warmth to any dish. It's so good, we're considering toting around the entire bottle.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 60

Spicy Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Spicy Tomato-Cucumber Salad Recipe

This elegantly simple salad is summer in a bowl. Sunshine-yellow and ruby-red wedges of juicy tomato anchor this dish with a hefty dose of lycopene, a heart-helping, cancer-fighting antioxidant. Cucumber and bell pepper bring their crunch to the party, while lemon and chile keep things lively with heat and zing. Remember—summer tomatoes are extra juicy, so plan to serve this salad soon after making it for the most concentrated flavor.

11 of 60

Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Sauce Recipe

That jar of salsa hanging out in the back of your fridge has more in store for it than a date with a bag of tortilla chips. This easy chicken kebabs recipe will help you teach that lycopene-rich salsa some tasty new tricks.

12 of 60

Toasted Chile Salsa

Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Toasted Chile Salsa Recipe

Using toasted chiles is a must. It adds a smoky complexity to this dunkable salsa that fresh chiles can't.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 60

Spicy Chorizo Corn Chowder

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Spicy Chorizo Corn Chowder Recipe

Some of corn's best partners--medium-hot chiles, chorizo, and basil--join up in this simple dish. It's substantial enough to call a chowder, but light enough for summer.

14 of 60

Spicy Scallops with Watermelon Salsa

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Spicy Scallops with Watermelon Salsa Recipe

Here we season quick-cooking scallops with inspiration from Caribbean pepper pot recipes. To get a nice sear on the scallops without any sticking, be sure to thoroughly pat your scallops dry and preheat the skillet until it’s nice and hot. The spicy scallops are cooled by the sweet, minty watermelon salsa. Ask for “dry” sea scallops at the fish counter. Other scallops have been treated with a sodium solution that prevents them from browning nicely and can make the texture of the meat less pleasant.

15 of 60

Spicy Veggie Hash

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Spicy Veggie Hash Recipe

Cumin, cinnamon, and red pepper add warmth to this Peruvian-inspired sweet potato hash.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 60

Spicy Thai Shrimp Cakes

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Spicy Thai Shrimp Cakes Recipe

If you’re a fan of crab cakes, you’ve got to try these Thai-flavored shrimp cakes. The sweet, salty taste of shrimp really shines through when seasoned with the classic Thai trifecta of flavor: fish sauce, lime juice, and chili sauce. To ensure even cooking and cakes that hold together well, be sure to take an extra minute to finely dice all the veggies. To turn any leftovers into lunch, serve shrimp cakes on a toasted whole-wheat English muffin with a smear of Sriracha mayo, lettuce, and tomato.

17 of 60

Spicy Sausage and Portobello ‘Pizzas'

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Spicy Sausage and Portobello ‘Pizzas' Recipe

Top baked portobello mushrooms with sausage, onions, tomatoes, and mozzarella for a delicious "pizza" appetizer or side dish.

18 of 60

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup Recipe

Coconut milk tames the heat and combines deliciously with shredded chicken breast in Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 60

Sweet and Spicy Pepperonata

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Sweet and Spicy Pepperonata Recipe

Use a variety of hot and sweet peppers in red, orange, and yellow for superior flavor and color in this dish. Serve as a side with grilled meat or fish, or as an appetizer spooned over grilled bread.

20 of 60

Spicy Jalapeño-Red Pepper Jelly

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Ivy Odom; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Spicy Jalapeño-Red Pepper Jelly Recipe

This sweet heat jam is perfect for gifting and is delicious served over soft, creamy cheeses (like goat cheese, cream cheese, or Brie), whisked into salad dressings, and used as a glaze for grilled meats. If you want to kick the heat up a notch (it’s a gentle warm, as is), use 2-3 more jalapeños.  

21 of 60

Kickin' BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Kickin' BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Most people use 6-inch tortillas for tacos, but we apply healthy new math and use them for quesadillas. Upsizing to an 8-inch tortilla nearly doubles the surface area, meaning twice as much cheesy filling. Suddenly, your sensible meal becomes an 800-calorie heavyweight. Start with a 6-incher, and pile on the lean meats, veggies, and cheese. Crisp in a hot skillet with cooking spray instead of butter to save 7g sat fat.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 60

Spicy Jalapeño-Red Pepper Jelly

Credit: Kelsey Hansen; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey and Ivy Odom; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Spicy Jalapeño-Red Pepper Jelly Recipe

This sweet heat jam is perfect for gifting and is delicious served over soft, creamy cheeses (like goat cheese, cream cheese, or Brie), whisked into salad dressings, and used as a glaze for grilled meats. If you want to kick the heat up a notch (it’s a gentle warm, as is), use 2-3 more jalapeños.  

23 of 60

Spicy Moroccan Chicken Skewers

Credit: Johnny Autry; Food Styling: Charlotte Autry; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr

Spicy Moroccan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Serve with hot cooked couscous. Give the couscous nutty flavor by toasting it in a hot pan before you rehydrate it.

24 of 60

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon Recipe

Season the bacon a day ahead so it can absorb the rub.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 60

Fiery Chicken Thighs with Persian Rice

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Fiery Chicken Thighs with Persian Rice Recipe

Although the ­buttery rice cuts through the heat of the chicken, use less chile paste if you are not a huge fan of spicy foods for a less-fiery experience.

26 of 60

Spicy Clam, Chorizo, and White Bean Soup

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Spicy Clam, Chorizo, and White Bean Soup Recipe

The classic Spanish combination of briny littleneck clams—the smallest and most tender of the clam clan—smoky chorizo, and tender white beans come together in seamless soup harmony. Turn this liquid lunch into a robust meal with our quick and easy garlic bread—perfect for sopping up every last drop.

27 of 60

Chunky Hot Sauce

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Harget

Chunky Hot Sauce Recipe

Fermentation is the secret to this robust, piquant sauce. Use your favorite chiles here, or blend fiery ones with sweet ones to customize your own. As for the consistency, we love the sauce in all of its chunky glory, but if you want a smooth, looser take, press it through a wire-mesh strainer.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 60

Spicy Breakfast Taquitos

Credit: Photo by Kelsey Hansen

Spicy Breakfast Taquitos Recipe

Whether you eat them freshly made or defrosted from a box at 2 a.m, there’s no denying that taquitos are good and pure. In fact, they’re so great that we should probably be eating taquitos for breakfast. While there’s nothing wrong with going to town on whatever type of taquito you like at 8 a.m., but why not embrace filings that are slightly more breakfast-y?

Brown spicy sausage and softly scramble a few eggs, then roll the proteins up in warm tortillas with a bit of shredded cheese for good luck. Pan-fry those tubes until crispy and brown, then serve them with any condiments you desire: guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce, salsa, or all of the above. Perhaps the best condiment to spoon over taquitos, however, is this ridiculously easy creamy hot sauce: just mix together equal parts sour cream and a few spoonfuls of spicy salsa (and maybe a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce if you'd like). Boom.

Spicy Breakfast Taquitos

29 of 60

Spicy Sausage and Chard Pasta

Credit: Alex Farnum; Styling: Kevin Crafts

Spicy Sausage and Chard Pasta Recipe

Willy and Sandy Hermann, readers from Orinda, California, shared this easy one-dish meal with us. They like to use hot sausage, but mild is good too. You can use the chard stems for soup if you like.

30 of 60

Make Spicy Home Fries in Under 30 Minutes

Credit: Photo by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Make Spicy Home Fries in Under 30 Minutes Recipe

This recipe gives you boldly flavored potatoes that are crunchy and creamy. Because home fries usually pair up with delicious but mild eggs, they need big flavor. Thee home fries get a hit of sweet paprika, pungent garlic powder, and tangy, zesty Worcestershire sauce. If you like yours spicy, add 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice blend, or just drizzle them with some hot sauce on your plate. A cast-iron pan works best here to put ample crust on the potatoes.

Spicy Home Fries

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 60

Fiery Tofu and Coconut Curry Soup

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

Fiery Tofu and Coconut Curry Soup Recipe

This spicy tofu soup incorporates common Thai cuisine ingredients, such as ginger, soy sauce, red curry paste, coconut milk, and cilantro. 

32 of 60

Make Spicy Home Fries in Under 30 Minutes

Credit: Photo by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Make Spicy Home Fries in Under 30 Minutes Recipe

This recipe gives you boldly flavored potatoes that are crunchy and creamy. Because home fries usually pair up with delicious but mild eggs, they need big flavor. Thee home fries get a hit of sweet paprika, pungent garlic powder, and tangy, zesty Worcestershire sauce. If you like yours spicy, add 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the spice blend, or just drizzle them with some hot sauce on your plate. A cast-iron pan works best here to put ample crust on the potatoes.

Spicy Home Fries

33 of 60

Choi's Napa Cabbage Kimchi

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Choi's Napa Cabbage Kimchi Recipe

This fiery kimchi closely resembles the award-winning product that Chong Choi and her son Matt Choi sell at the Portland State University Farmer's Market stand and at grocery stores throughout the Pacific Northwest. Although Chong warns that only gochugaru (ground Korean chiles) will produce an authentic flavor, you can make a delicious kimchi with a combination of dried mild New Mexico chiles and hotter Thai or arbol chiles.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 60

Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce Recipe

Simple and delicious, Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce is perfect with a simple salad and a glass of red.

35 of 60