serrano
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
Likewise, crouton change-ups can work out well, as with the tortilla crisps that chef Janet Becerra uses to excellent effect in her serrano Caesar at Seattle’s Pancita.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 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
In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, ginger, garlic, serranos, oil and cumin seeds and process until smooth.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 21, 2021
And while her mom's peanut butter tempers the fire of the serranos, Andrea goes even further, scraping out the seeds and ribs to taste more of the grassiness, with less of the heat.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2021
They lined up for juicy brisket with a volcanic bark, handmade sausage with serranos and Oaxaca cheese, and mac-and-cheese spiked with chicharrones.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2018
A silky cheese sauce thickened with rice flour and spiked with serranos.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2018
The pure Indians of Quito number perhaps 10,000; not all those seen in the city are citizens, as many serranos, or mountaineers, come in to sell produce.
From The Andes and the Amazon Across the Continent of South America by Orton, James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
