Sunset Foods's Guide to the 2026 Hatch Chile Season

Sunset Foods' annual Hatch Chile Festival returns, bringing the unique, smoky taste of New Mexico directly to you. For a limited time, experience this authentic Southwestern specialty at Sunset.

What Makes Hatch Chiles So Special?

The flavor of a Hatch Chile is more nuanced than a simple spicy pepper. It offers a mild-to-medium heat that builds slowly, allowing its complex, savory notes to shine. On the Scoville scale, which measures pepper heat, a mild Hatch Chile is comparable to a Poblano pepper, while a hot one can approach the heat of a jalapeño. This pleasant warmth complements its earthy undertones, making it a versatile ingredient that enhances dishes without overpowering them.

Where Can I Find Fresh-Roasted Hatch Chiles?

You can find fresh-roasted Hatch chiles at Sunset Foods during our annual festival, which runs from August 4th to August 23rd. We host live roasting events at all store locations. Our team uses traditional barrel roasters to char the skins to perfection, so you can pick up a batch roasted fresh on-site, ready to use immediately or freeze for later.

We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy this seasonal favorite. That's why we've scheduled roasting events across our neighborhoods. Come see us between 11am and 2pm on the following dates:

• Friday, August 14th: Libertyville
• Saturday, August 15th: Highland Park & Long Grove
• Friday, August 21st: Lake Forest & Glencoe
• Saturday, August 22nd: Northbrook & Winnetka

These events are incredibly popular. Supplies are limited to the harvest season. To guarantee you get your share of these delicious peppers, you can Pre-Order Roasted Hatch Chiles Online. Placing an order ahead of time is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on the signature flavor of the season.

What Delicious Hatch Chile Foods Can I Try at Sunset?

During our Hatch Chile Festival, our Deli Kitchens and Bakeries are buzzing with creativity. We prepare a wide variety of limited-time dishes that showcase the pepper’s amazing flavor. You can stop by for a hot lunch at one of our roasting events or grab a range of chef-prepared meals, breads, and specialty cheeses to enjoy at home.

If you visit during one of the weekend roasting events, we’ll have two exclusive hot dishes ready for you. Try the New Mexican Chili Dog, featuring a Sunset’s All Beef Hot Dog wrapped in bacon and topped with all the fixings and roasted Hatch chiles. Or grab an order of our Hatch & Cheese Tater Tots, a half-pound of crispy tots smothered in Hatch Chile queso. Throughout the festival, our chefs are also busy preparing delicious take-home options like Hatch Chile Chicken Macaroni & Cheese, Hatch Chile & Cheese Quesadillas, and savory Hatch Chile Cheese Tamales. Don't forget to pick up some Hatch Chile Homemade Salsa and Hatch Chile Verde Rice.

In our bakery, look for our freshly baked Hatch Pepperjack Bread and Hatch Chile Biscuits. For the cheese lovers, we're also featuring specialty cheeses like a creamy Hatch Chile Gouda and the award-winning Sartori Bellavitano Hatch Chile Cheese.

How Should I Use Hatch Chiles at Home?

Roasted Hatch chiles are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Once you get them home, you can use them right away in simple applications, like a topping for burgers or tacos. You can also incorporate them into more complex recipes. They add a smoky, savory depth to everything from breakfast dishes to hearty stews. And if you want to enjoy them beyond the season, they freeze beautifully.

For some delicious inspiration, visit Sunset's Recipe Rack online. If you like a little heat, our recipe for Hatch Chile Hot Wings is a must-try, especially when you make it with our tender Miller Amish Poultry Chicken Wings. For a savory baked good, the Hatch Green Chili Bread is perfect alongside a bowl of soup. Hatch chiles are also a fantastic way to start your day; our Hatch Chile Breakfast Strata is a weekend favorite. The best part is that you can stock up. Roasted chiles will keep in the freezer for up to a year, allowing you to bring that wonderful summer flavor to your meals anytime.

Q: What is a Hatch Chile pepper?

A: A Hatch Chile is a unique variety of green chile grown exclusively in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico. The unique soil and climate of the region give the peppers their distinct smoky and earthy flavor.

Q: How hot are they?

A: Hatch chiles have a pleasant, mild-to-medium heat that is more flavorful than spicy. To give you some context on the Scoville scale (a measure of pepper heat): a mild Hatch Chile is similar to a Poblano pepper (1,000-2,000 units), while a hot Hatch can be similar to a Jalapeño (2,500-8,000 units). For reference, a Habanero can be over 100,000 units!

Q: How long can I store fresh roasted peppers?

A: If you want to enjoy Hatch chiles all year round, we recommend ordering ahead and freezing them. They will keep in the freezer for up to a year. This allows you to bring that smoky, summer flavor to your meals anytime.

Q: What can I make with them?

A: Roasted Hatch chiles are incredibly versatile! Use them in salsas, stews, mac and cheese, cornbread, burritos, tacos, or as a topping for burgers and sandwiches. Traditional New Mexican breakfasts even include Hatch chiles in breakfast sandwiches & breakfast burritos.