Flavor Before Fire: 7 Mild-to-Medium Peppers Packed with Taste

In the world of peppers, it’s easy to get caught up in the chase for scorching heat. Names like Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper dominate the conversation, leaving many to believe that a pepper’s only purpose is to set your mouth on fire. But here at Scorch Squad, we believe in a simple truth: flavor comes first.

There is a vast and delicious world of peppers that offer complex, nuanced tastes without the intimidating, five-alarm heat. These are the peppers you can chop into a fresh salsa, roast for a weeknight dinner, or stuff with cheese without needing a gallon of milk on standby. They prove that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for a manageable spice level.

If you're ready to explore the flavorful side of the pepper patch, you're in the right place. And when you find a new favorite, growing them yourself is incredibly rewarding. For a complete walkthrough on getting started, check out our pillar post, The Ultimate Guide to Growing Peppers: From Seed to Harvest.

Here are 7 of our favorite mild-to-medium peppers that are absolutely packed with taste.

1. Shishito: The Perfect Appetizer

Heat Level: 50 - 200 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

Don't let their wrinkly appearance fool you; Shishito peppers are a culinary delight. These thin-walled, sweet peppers have a bright, slightly savory flavor that shines when blistered in a hot pan with a bit of oil and sea salt. They're famously mild, though about one in every ten peppers packs a surprising - but still manageable - kick. This "Russian Roulette" aspect makes them a fun and delicious appetizer for any gathering.

Perfect For: Sautéing, grilling, tempura, and snacking.

Shop Shishito Pepper Seeds Now

2. Aji Lemon (Lemon Drop): The Citrus Kick

Heat Level: 15,000 - 30,000 SHU

If you want a pepper that brings a truly unique flavor, look no further. The Aji Lemon, also known as the Lemon Drop pepper, has a distinct and vibrant citrusy taste that perfectly matches its brilliant yellow color. It delivers a clean, medium heat that enhances its zesty notes without overpowering them. It’s the perfect pepper to add a bright, summery kick to salsas, marinades, and fish dishes.

Perfect For: Hot sauces, powders, chicken and fish marinades, and fresh salsas.

Grow Your Own Aji Lemon Peppers

3. Fresno: The Crisp & Fruity Staple

Heat Level: 2,500 - 10,000 SHU

Often mistaken for a jalapeño, the Fresno pepper is its fruitier, spicier cousin. As it ripens from green to a vibrant red, it develops a delicious sweetness that complements its medium heat. With thinner walls than a jalapeño, Fresno peppers are fantastic for fresh applications where you want a clean, crisp bite and a kick of flavor without overwhelming the dish. They are a workhorse in the kitchen.

Perfect For: Fresh salsas, pickling, slicing for tacos and sandwiches, and making mild hot sauce.

Get Your Fresno Pepper Seeds Here

4. Big Jim: The Roasting King

Heat Level: 2,500 - 3,000 SHU

A favorite from New Mexico, the Big Jim is renowned for its size and its incredible flavor when roasted. This pepper variety holds the Guinness World Record for the largest pepper pods ever grown! When flame-roasted, Big Jim peppers develop a buttery, smoky, and earthy flavor that is the heart and soul of Southwestern green chile sauces. Their thick walls make them sturdy enough for stuffing, too.

Perfect For: Roasting, stuffing (chiles rellenos), and green chile stew.

Purchase Big Jim Pepper Seeds

5. Bulgarian Carrot: The Crunchy Heat

Heat Level: 5,000 - 30,000 SHU

Bright orange, crunchy, and shaped like a carrot—this heirloom pepper is as fun as it is flavorful. Don't let the name fool you; it doesn't taste like a root vegetable. Instead, it has a wonderful fruity flavor with a tangy kick that makes it incredibly versatile. It's fantastic when chopped fresh into salads and salsas or fire-roasted to bring out its sweetness.

Perfect For: Roasting, grilling, fresh salsas, and making vibrant hot sauces.

Find Bulgarian Carrot Seeds Here

6. Aleppo 37: The Slow, Fruity Burn

Heat Level: 10,000 SHU

Famous in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, the Aleppo pepper is prized for its moderate heat and exceptional flavor. It has a robust, earthy, and slightly fruity taste with hints of sun-dried tomato. Unlike many peppers that hit you with sharp heat, the Aleppo builds slowly to a warm, satisfying glow. It’s most commonly used in its dried, flaked form, but it's just as delicious when used fresh.

Perfect For: Seasoning blends, grilling rubs, pizza flakes, and any dish needing a warm, complex spice.

Shop for Aleppo 37 Pepper Seeds

7. Yatsufusa: The Fiery Japanese Heirloom

Heat Level: 40,000 - 75,000 SHU

Pushing into the medium-hot category, the Yatsufusa is a Japanese heirloom that offers a clean, forward heat and a wonderfully nutty and rich flavor. The peppers grow in upright clusters, making them a beautiful sight in the garden. They are traditionally dried and used in a wide array of Japanese dishes to add a punch of pure, unadulterated spice that complements other ingredients perfectly.

Perfect For: Drying for flakes (ichimi togarashi), stir-fries, and adding clean heat to soups and noodle dishes.

Get Your Yatsufusa Pepper Seeds

Explore a World of Flavor

Heat is only one part of the pepper experience. By exploring these mild-to-medium varieties, you open up a whole new world of culinary possibilities. So go ahead, give your taste buds a break from the superhots and discover the incredible flavor that lies just beneath the fire. Happy planting!