Ancho peppers are a must for many traditional Mexican recipes, but finding these dried chilies to complete a classic recipe may not be as easy as you’d like. What can you do if you don’t have the option? What’s the best ancho pepper substitute to reach to when you are in immediate need? What are the alternatives if you’re simply looking for something different? Let’s cover your options. Stock Up
Our ancho powder (dried poblano), available from our Spicery on Etsy, is terrific to keep around for those moments in Mexican cuisine where anchos earthy, sweet flavor is just perfect.
Chipotle Powder Chipotle powder is a great substitute for ancho chile peppers. It has a smoky, sweet flavor with a mild heat. This powder is made from dried, smoked jalapeno peppers, which are ground into a powder.
A step up, but readily available: Chipotle powder
Chipotle powder is made from smoked, dried jalapeños, so the powder contains a big bump in heat – 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units compared to the 1,000 to 1,500 SHU typical for ancho peppers. Chipotle will also be smokier than your typical bottle of ancho pepper powder. But if you think your receipt can benefit from this set of flavor and heat, it’s an excellent option that’s widely offered at major grocery chains.
Your quickest option with the right heat: Ancho chili powder or mild paprika
While few major grocers carry dried chilies, many now carry a wide variety of chili powders. And really chili powder is simply dried chilies crushed into powder form. You may be lucky and your grocer carries actual ancho chili powder (or you can buy it online to keep some in stock). But if they don’t, reach for a mild paprika. It’ll have a comparable mildness to ancho pepper (it typically has a pimento pepper base), but it will have a sweeter flavor than the more earthy-sweet (and sometimes smoky) ancho chili powder.
Just note, paprika comes in varying heats. If in doubt, reach for one labeled “sweet” or simply “paprika”. Those typically will be mildly spicy, so you have no surprises on use.
What can I substitute for chili powder?
FAQ
What is a good substitute for Ancho chili paste?
What is ancho paste made of?
Can you use regular chili powder instead of ancho?
Is chile guajillo the same as chile ancho?
What is a good substitute for ancho chili?
We found alternatives for ancho chili peppers that you can use in any dish! Great substitutes for ancho chili include chili flakes, chili powder, paprika, guajillo powder, chipotle powder, poblano peppers, jalapenos, cayenne peppers, pequin chili peppers, and serrano peppers. Let’s learn more about each substitute.
What can I substitute for chili pepper?
There are many varieties of chili peppers that have varying levels of heat. Typically, the larger the pepper, the milder the heat. If you don’t have chili peppers for the spicy kick needed in a dish you can substitute cayenne pepper or hot paprika. Start with small amounts to taste, then add more if the dish is not spicy enough. For individuals who don’t like spicy food, a mild sweet paprika works as a replacement, or simply use less chili pepper than the recipe calls for. You can also try bell peppers if you are looking to replace nutrients lost by removing chili pepper. For those who are allergic to peppers in general, the appropriate substitution will depend on the specific recipe. Many times chili pepper can be left out of a recipe. Experimentation is best way to find out what works.
What can I substitute for chili paste?
You can also combine it with a dash of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you do want spice. Pro tip: brown the tomato paste to get the most out of its flavors. How to substitute: replace chili paste in your recipe in a 1:1 ratio with tomato paste, and then add spices to taste.
Can you use chili powder instead of ancho chili?
Chili powder is similar to chili flakes in terms of hotness and you can use it instead of ancho chili successfully as well. However, keep in mind that chili powder will dissolve in your food. And it will turn the color of the dish slightly red. On the other hand, it is not going to have a smoky flavor unless you choose a brand that offers that.