What Are Sport Peppers?

My earliest introduction to the concept of pickled peppers was, of course, from the tongue twister, in which they are the provenance of Peter Piper. As a child, I never really thought about them outside of their obvious alliterative potential, but in my adult life, it turns out that pickled peppers are a delicious addition to a meal. Have you ever had pickled jalapenos on a sandwich? Can’t be beat! And Tabasco sauce is essentially a pickled pepper concoction as well. But today, we’re talking about a different kind of pickled pepper: the sport pepper. But what are sport peppers? Are they hot? What do they taste like? Let’s get to the bottom of it, old sport. 

What are sport peppers?

Sport peppers are small, thin, lightly spicy peppers that are pickled in brine. They are popular throughout the American South but are most famous as an ingredient in a classic Chicago hot dog. Have you ever had a Chicago-style dog? No offense to NYC, which also has a great dog, but Chicago’s are simply the best. I digress.

Though they are somewhat similar in appearance and usage to pepperoncini, they are not the same thing. Pepperoncini tend to be larger (good luck fitting one on a standard hot dog) and less spicy than their sporty cousins.

Are sport peppers hot?

Sport peppers have a definite kick to them. If you’re spice averse, you should probably steer clear of this particular pepper. However, if you enjoy some heat, they’re a great, not overly hot option. I’d say they’re less spicy than spicy giardiniera. 

If you want to get technical, they are 10,000-23,000 Scoville Heat Units. That’s about two to five times spicier than your average jalapeno. 

If you’re still dying to try them but don’t want a high heat level, you’re in luck; some brands have mild, medium, and hot options. 

What kind of peppers are sport peppers?

Sport peppers are a variety of chili peppers, Capsicum annuum to be exact. They are comparable to Tabasco peppers, although a little spicier than those guys.

What do sport peppers taste like?

How to describe the taste of sports pepper? It has a flash of heat but it’s not too intense. Otherwise, it has that briney flavor associated with pickling. And the texture is slightly tough, so you get a satisfying pop when you bite down on one.

What to do with sport peppers?

Sport peppers are, of course, a topping for a classic Chicago hot dog of the so-called “dragged through the garden” variety, which also includes tomato, pickle, chopped onion, radioactive green relish, mustard, and celery salt (no ketchup, please). They are also a popular addition to another Chicago staple, the Italian Beef sandwich. They even make a great topping on a pizza (Chicago deep dish or otherwise).

But really, having a jar of sport peppers on the table is a great way to add some spicy crunch to any sort of strong-flavored, meaty dish. If you’re a fan of sausage of any kind, a sport pepper is a practically perfect companion.