Malagueta Pepper Powder

Malagueta pepper powder is a staple spice in Brazilian and Portuguese cooking, and one of the most underrated chili powders you can have in your kitchen. With a heat level of 60,000 to 100,000 SHU, it sits in a similar range to Thai bird's eye chili and runs about twice as hot as cayenne — but with significantly more flavor complexity than either.

Heat Level 60,000 to 100,000 SHU. Noticeably hot but very usable. If you cook regularly with cayenne and want something with more heat and more flavor, malagueta is a natural step up.

Flavor Profile Fruity, bright, and slightly smoky with more depth than cayenne. The fruitiness comes through even in the powder form, which makes it a better fit for dishes where you want the pepper to contribute flavor, not just heat.

Origin Malagueta peppers originated in Brazil and are a foundational ingredient in both Brazilian and Portuguese cuisines. They've been used in these culinary traditions for centuries and remain a go-to chili in both countries today.

What to Cook With It

• Brazilian piri-piri chicken
• Feijoada (Brazilian black bean stew)
• Moqueca (Brazilian fish stew)
• Vatapá
• Portuguese grilled meats
• Marinades, dry rubs, and homemade hot sauces

How to Use It Use malagueta powder anywhere you'd reach for cayenne, but want more flavor alongside the heat. It works especially well in marinades and rubs where it has time to bloom. Start with half the amount you'd use for cayenne and adjust up — it's noticeably hotter.

Ingredients: Ground Malagueta Pepper

Frequently Asked Questions about Malagueta Peppers

How hot is Malagueta pepper powder?

Malagueta peppers range from 60,000 to 100,000 SHU — similar heat to Thai bird's eye chili and roughly twice as hot as cayenne. It's a serious heat level but very manageable if you're used to cooking with hot peppers.

What does Malagueta pepper taste like?

Fruity, bright, and slightly smoky. It has more flavor complexity than cayenne, which makes it a better choice when you want the pepper itself to add character to a dish, not just heat.

What recipes are Malagueta peppers used in?

Malagueta is a staple in Brazilian cuisine — feijoada, moqueca, vatapá — and in Portuguese cooking, especially piri-piri chicken and grilled meats. It's also great in homemade hot sauces, marinades, and dry rubs.