How to Roast Hatch Chile: Recipes and Techniques for Perfectly Roasted Chiles

Hatch Green Chiles are a culinary treasure from New Mexico, renowned for their distinct flavor and versatility. Roasting Hatch chiles not only brings out their natural smokiness but also makes them easier to peel, ultimately enhancing your favorite recipes. In this blog post, we'll explore how to roast Hatch chile recipes, along with techniques and tips for achieving perfectly roasted chiles every time.

Why Roast Hatch Chiles?

Roasting Hatch chiles helps release their natural oils, making them more flavorful and aromatic. The process also softens the chiles, making them ideal for incorporating into a wide range of dishes, from sauces and stews to salsas and casseroles. Roasting also loosens the skin, allowing for easier removal, which results in a smoother, more enjoyable texture in your recipes.

Methods for Roasting Hatch Chiles

There are several ways to roast Hatch chiles, each with its own advantages:

Gas Stove: Place the chiles directly on the burner grate over medium-high heat, turning them with tongs as needed until the skin is evenly blistered and charred. This method is quick and easy, but it can be a bit messy.

Grill: Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Place the chiles on the grill grate and cook, turning occasionally until the skin is blistered and charred. Grilling adds a delicious smoky flavor to the chiles.

Oven Broiler: Arrange the chiles on a foil-lined baking sheet and place them under a preheated broiler. Turn the chiles occasionally until the skin is blistered and charred. This method is suitable for roasting a large batch of chiles at once.

Peeling and Storing Roasted Hatch Chiles

Once your Hatch chiles are roasted, follow these steps to peel and store them: Let the chiles steam in a covered bowl or sealed plastic bag for 10-15 minutes. This will help loosen the skin, making it easier to remove. Wearing gloves, gently rub the skin off the chiles using your fingers or a paper towel. Remove the stems and seeds if desired, but keep in mind that the seeds add heat to the chiles. Store roasted chiles in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for up to a year.

Of course, if you wish to enjoy Hatch Green Chile without the labor intensive work of roasting, peeling, portioning, and storing you can purchase pre-peeled, flame roasted frozen green chile for an easy alternative. 

Hatch Chile Recipes to Try

Now that you know how to roast Hatch chiles, here are some delicious recipes to try: 

• Hatch Green Chile Queso
• Cheesy Garlic Hatch Chile Bread
• Taquitos (aka Rolled Tacos)