In-N-Out Chopped Chilies Guide with Prices 2026
The In-N-Out chopped chilies are small pieces of pickled yellow chili peppers that the chain offers as a completely free topping on any burger, fries, or secret menu order.
🌶️ WHAT KIND OF PEPPERS DOES IN-N-OUT USE
Based on visual identification, flavor profile, and supplier patterns, the peppers are most likely pickled yellow chili peppers that fall into one of three pepper families.
The leading theory among fans is that the peppers are yellow wax peppers, also known as Hungarian wax peppers, which have a similar bright yellow color, mild to medium heat, and crisp texture when pickled. Yellow wax peppers typically register between 5,000 and 10,000 Scoville heat units, which matches the perceived heat level of the chopped chilies.
The second theory is that the peppers are banana peppers, which are milder than yellow wax peppers and register between 0 and 500 Scoville units. Banana peppers are commonly pickled and sold in commercial food service supply chains, which makes them a likely candidate for a fast food operation that needs consistent supply across hundreds of locations.
The third theory is that the peppers are a generic yellow chili pepper blend that combines multiple varieties from a commercial supplier, which would explain the slight variation in heat and flavor reported by customers across different states.
What we know with certainty is that the peppers are yellow in color, pickled in a vinegar based brine, chopped into small pieces about the size of a fingernail, and served cold as a topping. The flavor is consistent enough across locations that fans recognize the chilies immediately whether they are eating in California, Texas, or Arizona.
🧂 THE INGREDIENTS BEHIND CHOPPED CHILIES
Yellow chili peppers form the base of the topping and are sliced into small pieces before the pickling process begins.
Distilled white vinegar provides the sharp tang and acts as the primary preservation agent.
Water balances the vinegar and creates the brine base that the peppers soak in until they are added to your order.
Salt seasons the peppers and contributes to both the flavor and the texture.
Calcium chloride or natural preservatives are sometimes added to commercial pickled peppers to keep them firm and crunchy.
🍴 WHAT TO PAIR WITH CHOPPED CHILIES
Cheeseburger with chopped chilies. The simplest and one of the best combinations on the entire menu.
Double-Double Animal Style with chopped chilies. A heavier combination that works because the rich spread, grilled onions, and pickles in the Animal Style build absorb the heat without canceling it out.
Hamburger with chopped chilies. The lightest pairing on the burger list.
Protein Style Cheeseburger with chopped chilies. A great pairing for gluten free or low carb diners.
Animal Style Fries with chopped chilies. The full loaded fries plus a scoop of chilies on top creates one of the most flavor packed orders the secret menu allows.
Check out complete In N Out Menu here.
Conclusion
The In-N-Out Chopped Chilies are quietly one of the smartest free upgrades on the entire menu, and most customers never ask for them because they have no idea they exist. The mild to medium heat, the tangy pickled brine, the crunchy texture, and the zero cost combine to make the chilies an easy way to transform any burger or fries order into something more interesting than the standard build.