Feel the burn with jalapeño saltines

For ages, declaring something “tastes like saltines” wasn’t exactly a compliment. They’re the humblest of crackers with little beyond, well, salt, going for them. That’s changed with a new product on the shelves at H-E-B stores.

Because the homegrown grocery juggernaut understands San Antonio’s palate so well, the grocer has released H-E-B-branded Jalapeño Saltines. And these crackers deliver something other similar crisps fail to provide: actual flavor.

In addition to a bright jalapeño flavor and lingering burn, these crackers are laced with a pleasant hint of onion and garlic. I’ve been munching through a tube of these and can say I’m both impressed and inspired.

They’re fine on their own, and they would make an interesting addition to a charcuterie board. If you’re a fan of parisa — the raw beef snack from Medina County that’s served with saltines — they’re practically designed for the job. They’re also a natural choice for crumbling on top of a bowl of chili.

But what’s got me really excited is trying these in all the other ways I typically use saltines.

Crushed and mixed into a meatloaf or meatballs, they’ll add a distinctive taste of South Texas. A couple handfuls on top of any casserole will bring an unexpected and most welcome heat. And you can bet these will be part of the next breading I slap on fried chicken or pork schnitzel.

Look for H-E-B Jalapeño Saltines in the cracker aisle, priced at $1.58 for an 8-ounce package containing two tubes of crackers.

Paul Stephen / Staff H-E-B’s new Jalapeño Saltines give a classic crackers a distinctive South Texas burn.