Hatch Chile Season Guide 2026
When to Buy, What to Expect & How to Stock Up for the Year
Hatch chile season runs from late July through early October, with peak harvest in August and September. Green chile is harvested first (August), followed by red chile (September–October). Pre-orders typically open in January each year . The annual Hatch Chile Festival is held Labor Day weekend.
For those of us who grew up in the Hatch Valley, chile season isn't just a harvest—it's a way of life. The smoky aroma of roasting chile fills the air, families gather to peel and freeze their year's supply, and the whole community comes alive with the excitement of a new crop.
Whether you're a lifelong chile head or discovering Hatch chile for the first time, this guide will help you navigate the season like a local. You'll learn exactly when each variety is ready, how to time your order for the freshest chile, and how to stock your freezer so you never run out.
When Is Hatch Chile Season?
Hatch chile season typically runs from late July through early October. The exact timing varies year to year based on weather conditions—specifically spring temperatures, summer heat, and monsoon rainfall—but here's the general pattern:
Weather can shift the harvest by 2–3 weeks in either direction. A warm spring means early chile; a cool spring or heavy monsoons can delay it. Sign up for our email list to get notified the moment fresh chile is ready to ship.
Month-by-Month Harvest Calendar
Use this calendar to plan your purchases throughout the year:
Hatch Chile Availability by Month
Note: Frozen roasted chile, sauces & salsas, and dried chile products are available year-round.
| Month | What's Happening | What to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Pre-orders open! Reserve your fresh chile at pre-order pricing. Fields are dormant. | Pre-order fresh green chile, plus frozen roasted chile, sauces & salsas, powders |
| March–April | Planting season. Chile plants go into the ground. Pre-orders still open. | Pre-order fresh chile, frozen roasted, sauces, powders |
| May–June | Growing season. Pre-orders close July 1—last chance for pre-order pricing! | Pre-order fresh green chile (ends July 1), frozen roasted, sauces |
| July | Early harvest begins (usually late July). Regular season pricing begins. First fresh chile ships. | Fresh green chile (limited), chile roasters, frozen roasted, sauces |
| August | Peak green chile season. All heat levels available. Best selection. | Fresh green chile (5, 10, or 25 lb boxes), frozen roasted, sauces |
| September | Red chile arrives. Labor Day = Hatch Chile Festival. Green continues. | Fresh red chile, late-season green chile, frozen roasted, sauces |
| October | Final harvest. Season ends with first frost. | Last chance for fresh. Frozen roasted, sauces, powders |
| November–December | Fresh season is over. Holiday gifting season begins. | Ristras, gift packs, frozen roasted chile, sauces & salsas |
Which Varieties Come When
Different chile varieties mature at different times. Here's when to expect each heat level during the harvest:
Key insight: Mild and medium varieties tend to mature earlier. If you want hot or X-hot fresh chile, you may need to wait until mid-August or later. Not sure which heat level is right for you? See our guide to Hatch chile vs. other peppers for a full comparison.
Red chile is simply green chile that's been left on the vine to fully ripen. That's why red chile harvest comes after green chile harvest. If you want fresh red chile for making traditional red chile sauce or ristras, plan to order in September.
Pre-Order Timeline: Don't Miss Out
Fresh Hatch chile sells out fast—especially popular heat levels like Medium (Big Jim) and Hot (Sandia). Here's how to secure yours:
Ready to Pre-Order?
Be first in line for the freshest chile of the season. We pick, pack, and ship within 24 hours of harvest.
Pre-Order Fresh Chile →How Much Chile Should You Buy?
This is the most common question we get. The answer depends on how you plan to use it:
| Usage Level | Recommended Amount | Who This Is For |
|---|---|---|
| Light User | 5–10 lbs fresh | Trying Hatch chile for the first time. Occasional use in eggs, burgers, etc. |
| Regular User | 15–25 lbs fresh | Weekly chile use. Want enough for stews, enchiladas, and everyday cooking. |
| Chile Enthusiast | 40–50 lbs fresh | Chile is a staple in your kitchen. You cook New Mexican food regularly. |
| Serious Stockpiler | 100+ lbs fresh | You want to last all year without running out. You share with family/friends. |
After roasting and peeling, you'll lose about 30–40% of the original weight. So 10 lbs of fresh chile yields approximately 6–7 lbs of roasted, peeled chile. Plan accordingly!
Not sure you want to commit to a big batch? Our frozen roasted Hatch chile comes in convenient 1-lb bags—perfect for testing or supplementing your fresh stash.
Fresh vs. Frozen vs. Jarred: Which Should You Buy?
Each format has its place. Here's how to decide:
| Format | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh (Unroasted) | DIY roasters who want maximum flavor and the full experience | Peak flavor, you control the roast, great for large batches | Requires roasting and peeling (labor of love), seasonal only |
| Frozen Roasted | Convenience without sacrificing quality | Already roasted and peeled, ready to use, available year-round | Requires freezer space, must plan for thawing |
| Jarred (Sauces/Salsas) | Shelf-stable convenience, gifts, immediate use | No prep required, long shelf life, travel-friendly | Different texture than whole chile, varies by product |
| Dried (Pods/Powder) | Traditional red chile sauces, seasoning, long-term storage | Years-long shelf life, intense flavor, no refrigeration needed | Requires rehydrating (pods), different flavor profile than fresh |
Our recommendation: Most customers do a combination—fresh chile for the roasting experience and freezer stock, plus jarred sauces and frozen chile for convenience during the off-season.
Hatch Chile Festival 2026
The Hatch Chile Festival is the crown jewel of chile season—a celebration of New Mexico's most famous crop held annually over Labor Day weekend in Hatch, NM.
🌶️ Hatch Chile Festival 2026
Join thousands of chile lovers for live music, cooking competitions, arts & crafts, and of course—unlimited Hatch chile.
August 29–30, 2026
(40 mi north of Las Cruces)
(Town pop: 1,648)
What to Expect at the Festival
The festival transforms the tiny village of Hatch, New Mexico into chile-lover's paradise:
- Chile roasting demonstrations — Watch the traditional rotating drum roasters in action
- Cooking competitions — Chile cook-offs with local and visiting chefs
- Live entertainment — Music, dancing, and family activities
- Arts & crafts vendors — Southwestern art, ristras, and local crafts
- Farm tours — Visit the fields where Hatch chile is grown
- Food, food, food — Every chile dish imaginable, from rellenos to ice cream
No problem! We ship fresh, frozen, and jarred Hatch chile directly to your door anywhere in the continental US. Order fresh chile online and bring the festival to your kitchen.
How to Enjoy Hatch Chile Year-Round
The beauty of Hatch chile is that you don't have to wait for harvest season to enjoy it. Here's how to get your chile fix in any month:
During Season (July–October)
- Fresh green chile — Order 5, 10, or 25 lb boxes shipped direct from the farm
- Fresh red chile — Available September for traditional red sauce
- Stock your freezer — Roast, peel, and freeze for year-round use
Off-Season (November–June)
- Frozen roasted chile — Already roasted and peeled, shipped on dry ice
- Sauces & salsas — Shelf-stable jars ready when you are
- Dried pods & powders — Traditional red chile sauce, seasoning blends
- Frozen New Mexican foods — Rellenos, tamales, chimichangas made with real Hatch chile
Never Run Out Again
Our frozen roasted chile is harvested, roasted, peeled, and flash-frozen at peak freshness. Ships year-round on dry ice.
Shop Frozen Roasted Chile →How to Stock Up for the Year: Complete Checklist
Want to be set for an entire year of Hatch chile? Here's the serious stockpiler's checklist:
- Freezer space ready — Clear 1–2 cubic feet per 10 lbs of chile
- Pre-order placed — Reserve your fresh chile in June/July
- Roasting equipment — Grill, tabletop roaster, or oven ready
- Freezer bags/containers — Quart bags work great for meal-size portions
- Gloves for peeling — Especially for hot varieties
- Fresh chile ordered — 25–50 lbs minimum for year-round supply
- Backup frozen chile — 5–10 lbs frozen roasted for convenience
- Shelf-stable items — Sauces, powders, dried pods
- Ristra for the kitchen — Decorative AND functional
Need help with the roasting and freezing process? Our complete guide to how to roast Hatch chile covers every method from grill to air fryer, plus storage tips.
Hatch Chile Season FAQ
Hatch chile season 2026 is expected to begin in late July, with peak harvest in August and September. The exact start date depends on spring weather conditions. Pre-orders typically open in June.
The harvest season lasts approximately 10–12 weeks, from late July through early-to-mid October. Green chile peaks in August; red chile peaks in September. The season ends with the first frost.
Yes! While fresh chile is only available during harvest season, we offer frozen roasted Hatch chile shipped year-round on dry ice. We also have shelf-stable sauces and salsas, dried chile pods and powders, and frozen New Mexican foods available any time.
They're the same thing! "Hatch chile" specifically refers to chile grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico. The Hatch Chile Association certifies authentic Hatch chile. While other New Mexico regions grow chile, Hatch is considered the "Chile Capital of the World" due to its unique terroir. Learn more about what makes Hatch chile special.
The Hatch Chile Festival is held annually over Labor Day weekend in Hatch, New Mexico. In 2026, that's August 29–30. The festival features chile roasting, cooking competitions, live music, and over 30,000 visitors from around the world.
Sign up for our email list (at the bottom of this page) and we'll notify you the moment fresh chile is ready. You can also pre-order starting in June to guarantee your spot—we ship pre-orders first, in the order they're received.
Hatch chile is a seasonal crop, like tomatoes or corn. The plants require specific growing conditions—warm days, cool nights, and the unique mineral-rich soil of the Hatch Valley. Chile can't be grown year-round in New Mexico; harvest happens once per year when the peppers reach maturity. That's what makes fresh Hatch chile so special (and why so many people stock their freezers during season).
If you're new to Hatch chile, start with Mild or Medium. Mild (1904, Joe Parker) has great flavor with minimal heat. Medium (Big Jim) offers a noticeable kick without being overwhelming. You can always mix heat levels—many customers order a combo. See our heat level comparison guide for details.
Fresh, unroasted chile can be refrigerated for up to one week. For longer storage, you'll need to roast and freeze it. Properly frozen roasted chile maintains quality for 12+ months. Store in airtight freezer bags with air removed to prevent freezer burn.
Currently, we only ship fresh chile within the continental United States due to agricultural regulations and the perishable nature of fresh produce. International customers can order our shelf-stable sauces and salsas—contact us for international shipping options.
Don't Miss the Season
Whether you want fresh chile for roasting or the convenience of frozen, we've got you covered. From our family farm to your table—experience the authentic taste of Hatch.
Shop Fresh Chile → Shop Frozen Chile →Continue Your Hatch Chile Journey
- What is Hatch Chile? — History, varieties, and what makes it special
- How to Roast Hatch Chile — Complete guide for every method
- Hatch Chile vs. Other Peppers — Heat levels and comparisons
- 50+ Hatch Chile Recipes — From stew to enchiladas to queso
- Our Story — Five generations of Hatch Valley farming
Last updated: January 2026 | Questions? Contact us or call (575) 635-4680