Homemade Chile Powder

How to make your own homemade Chile Powder using dried chilies in just a few minutes! Easy, customizable, and deliciously flavorful!

Those of you planting your gardens right now, consider this recipe and tuck it away for fall, when you have a plethora of chilies at your disposal! Homemade chile powder is fun and easy to make and makes a great gift. All you need are dried chilies and a blender or spice grinder.

Difference between Chile Powder and Chili Powder

Not to be confused with a chili powder recipe or chili seasoning, chile powder has no other additions—we are just using dried chilies. Chili powder and chili seasoning both have other spices added, like cumin, coriander, salt, Mexican oregano, onion powder, cardamom, and garlic powder—a spice blend used to season chili. So basically this would replace ancho chile powder, red chile powder, or Mexican chile powder in a recipe.

I’ll be honest: I do not have a garden full of chili peppers ( I wish!), but I do have quite the collection of dried chilies in my pantry. At times, there are so many that they get a little out of hand, so I make chile powder with them. You’ve seen this before in some of our older recipes, like our Taco Seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This

1. Great use for dried chilies. Have a pantry full of dried chiles? Here’s a great way to use them! Or pull them from your garden in the fall!
2. Fun & easy! Simply toast and add to your blender or spice grinder. So rewarding too!
3. Adds incredible flavor to recipes. And heat, depending on the type of chili pepper.
4. Makes a special gift! Share your homemade chile powder with your friends and family.

PepperS to use in Chile Powder

For the best taste and flavor, use a blend of mild and medium, dried chilies for depth of flavor, complexity, and earthiness. If you like smoky flavors, seek out a dried smoked chili like Chipotle Morita.

• Mild peppers: Nora Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, Aji Panca, Aji Paprika, Choricero, Shishito, Mulato Peppers, Guajillo Peppers, Poblanos, Hatch Chilies
• Medium Heat Peppers: Aleppo, Chipotle Morita, Ancho Chiles, Padron, Pasilla, Cascabel Chile, Pasilla de Oaxaca, Pasilla Negro, Urfa Biber, Jalapeno, Chilhuacle Amarillo, New Mexico Chilies
• Spicy Heat: Arbol Chilies, Pequin Chiles, Cayenne Pepper, Habanero, Chiltepin 

How to Make Homemade Chile Powder

Step 1: Prep dried chiles. Wipe chiles with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Remove stems and seeds, using kitchen scissors or your fingers.

Step 2: Toast chiles. Toast the chilies in a dry skillet (cast iron works great!) over medium heat for 30-60 seconds. Turn on the hood fan to help the chilies release their fragrant oils.

Step 3: Cool. Remove from heat and let chiles cool completely on a separate dish.

Step 4: Grind. Cut the chiles into smaller pieces and transfer them to a high-powered blender or spice grinder, grinding until they are a fine powder.

Storage

Store chile powder in a sealed jar for up to one year. Or give them as gifts!

Ways to Use Chile Powder

• Use in your favorite Mexican recipes and Tex-Mex recipes for tacos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, quesadillas, or fajitas
• Season roasted veggies, potatoes, or chickpeas
• Sprinkle over eggs, scrambles, or avocado toast
• Garnish your favorite dip, like guacamole, vegan queso, or hummus
• Use in soups and stews
• Use in marinades for chicken, beef, fish, or tofu!

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this Homemade Chile Powder recipe!

xoxo

Recipes That Use Chile Powder

Spicy Mexican Shrimp Bowls

Burrito Bowl

Baked Quinoa with Corn, Zucchini, Feta & Fresh Tomato Relish

Homemade Taco Seasoning

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