serrano

American  

[suh-rah-noh] / səˈrɑ noʊ /

noun

plural

serranos

1. a small, green or reddish, extremely hot chile pepper, the fruit of a variety of Capsicum annuum used in cooking.

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Etymology

Origin of serrano

First recorded in 1950–55; from Mexican Spanish, short for chile serrano “mountain chile,” from Spanish serrano “of a mountain; mountain; highlands; a highlander,” from sierra ( def. )

Example Sentences

Other standouts included flamed A5 wagyu topped with foie gras and melt-in-your-mouth hamachi in yuzu and soy, finished with serrano and a dollop of sriracha.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

On Wednesday, they served a mussel dish with garlic confit and serrano chili developed by his breakfast sous chef.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

I use a lot of different peppers like serrano and bell peppers and maybe some jalapenos.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

For extra savoriness, try tucking ribbons of thinly sliced serrano ham or prosciutto into the sandwiches along with the steak.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2023

The girls helped weed out Mamá’s vegetable garden and picked fat zucchini, ripened tomatoes, and spicy serrano peppers, which they bundled together in delicate netting to give away as gifts to Mamá’s comadres.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall