Derived from the word “chilpoctli,” meaning “smoked chili,” the chipotle powder is a smoked and dried form of jalapeno pepper. It is commonly used as a seasoning or rub for meats, added to salsas and chili, or used as a table condiment. It’s not as fiery as you might make it up to be, but it’s also not for the faint of heart.
Well known for its earthy, smokey flavor, this spice is the go-to for most chefs and cooks when trying out a new recipe. But what happens when you can’t find any chipotle powder in your nearby stores? Stop thinking of changing the recipe altogether because here are some of the best substitutes for chipotle powder, ready to give you the same fantastic flavor with a heat-filled punch.
Outline
11 Best Substitutes For Chipotle Powder
1. Cayenne Powder
If you enjoy eating nutritious meals but want to experience the bang of spice, Cayenne powder is an excellent alternative to chipotle. This spice is made from grinding dried cayenne peppers into a powder form. The cayenne pepper is also a part of the chili pepper family, giving it an intense flavor that can be used to enhance the taste of your food.
While cayenne powder does not have the smokiness of chipotle, it is far spicier than chipotle powder. As a result, when seasoning, use only a tiny amount of Cayenne pepper to ensure that the dish is delicious yet not so spicy.
How to substitute: For every teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne powder.
2. Ancho Powder
Well known for its use in Mexican cuisine, Ancho powder is made from grinding dried ancho chili peppers. These peppers are a type of Poblano pepper that has been dried and smoked, giving it a reddish-brown color.
The taste is what makes the ancho powder stand out as it is both sweet and bitter with a hint of raisins, making it perfect for use as a rub on meats or as an addition to tacos. This powder works effortlessly as a substitute for chipotle powder because it has a moderate spice level with a touch of smokiness.
How to substitute: For every teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1 teaspoon of ancho powder.
3. Chili Powder
One of the best choices when considering chipotle powder substitutes is chili powder. This powder is a combination of various spices, including cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cloves which are ground together to create a perfect blend.
Chili powder will be a wise choice whenever you need a little heat for your dishes. It has a mild spicy taste that won’t upset you, and the hint of sweetness and smokiness add to the flavor of the recipe. It is a must-have in Latin American cuisines like tacos and enchiladas because it adds a distinct flavor to food.
How to substitute: For every 1 gram of chipotle powder, use 1/2 gram of chili powder. Make sure you add the other spices mentioned in the recipe.
4. Gochugaru Powder
Many of you may or may not have heard of this powder, but it is a perfect alternative to chipotle powder. Famous in Korean cuisine, Gochugaru powder is made from grinding sun-dried chili peppers that have been ripened on the vine. These peppers are then ground into a fine powder, giving it a bright red color.
The powder has a moderate level of spice with a fruity taste that is perfect for use in kimchi or to add a little zing to your food. The powder can also be used as a rub on meats or as an addition to noodles. The aroma of Chipotle pepper, which is made from dried and ground chilies, is similar to that of Gochugaru powder.
How to substitute: For every teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1 teaspoon of Gochugaru powder.
5. Smoked Paprika Powder
This powder is mainly used to add a smoky flavor and aroma to food- which means it is a perfect alternative for chipotle powder. It is made by grinding dried peppers that have been smoked over an oak wood fire. The result is a powder with bright red color and a deep smoky flavor.
The taste of the smoked paprika powder is not as intense as chipotle powder, so it can be used without fear to season your food. The powder is perfect to use as a rub on meats or to enhance the flavor of sauces.
How to substitute: Smoked paprika powder can be replaced with chipotle powder in a 1:1 ratio,
6. Aleppo Pepper
Aleppo pepper is a very famous spice in Middle Eastern cuisine and is made by grinding dried chili peppers. These peppers have a moderate level of spice and a fruity taste that makes them perfect to use as a seasoning. The most distinctive feature of this powder is its slightly lemony flavor, giving it a slightly tangy taste that comes in handy when used as a rub on chicken or fish.
You can also add it to pasta or pizza for extra flavor. If you’re looking for a chipotle powder substitute for a mildly spicy dish with a faint fragrance, Aleppo pepper is the one to use.
How to substitute: For every teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1/2 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper.
7. Piri Piri Powder
Piri piri powder is made from grinding dried chili peppers. This spicy spice has citrusy and herbal aromas and is a mixture of hot spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, ginger, and oregano—all combined to create an impressive spice that will make your taste buds tingle.
The powder can be used to season chicken or fish and is perfect for making piri piri sauce. It can also be used as a rub on meats or added to soups and stews for extra flavor. Piri Piri powder is a popular spice in Portugal. It’s used frequently in meals there, especially Caldo Verde, a traditional Portuguese dish with a distinctive green color.
How to substitute: For every teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1 teaspoon of piri piri powder.
8. Crushed Red Pepper
Many different chili peppers are combined to create crushed red pepper. Cayenne pepper is the most important component in this mix. In addition, there are other types, such as serrano, bell pepper, and jalapeño. You may also add any other spicy chili peppers to this mix if you like.
Depending on the chilies used in the preparation, this spice can have a mild to medium heat level. The seeds inside the pepper are the key to creating the spice, so all you have to do is remove the seeds when making your own crushed red pepper at home if you want to reduce the spiciness. It’s a wonderful alternative to chipotle powder if you want more zing to your dish.
How to substitute: For 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder, use ¼ to ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper.
9. Guajillo Powder
The dried chile peppers known as guajillos are derived from chile mirasol peppers. Both Guajillo powder and chipotle powder spices are quite popular and frequently used in Mexican cuisine. One thing that makes guajillo stand out is its flavor, unlike any other spice, because it is sweet!
If you want to add a mild spicy aspect to your cuisine, Guajillo powder is the ideal option. Guajillo powder is a good choice for chicken and fish dishes because of its wonderful flavor. However, you can also use this powder in desserts since it has a natural light sweetness.
How to substitute: Use 1 gram of Guajillo powder to replace 1 gram of chipotle powder.
10. Pasilla Powder
Pasilla powder is made by grinding dried pasilla peppers which are also a part of the chilaca chile family. Chilaca chile peppers are black when ripe, unlike other red peppers. As a result, after processing, it also yields a distinctive black pasilla powder. People also add oregano leaves, cumin, and garlic powder to the mix when it is ground.
This spice may be used in most recipes, such as meat, fish, lamb, duck, etc. When it comes to taste, pasilla powder is a good enough substitute for chipotle powder as it is earthy with a hint of bitterness and chocolate notes. The powder is also not as spicy as chipotle powder, making it a good choice for those who can’t handle the spice.
How to substitute: For 1 gram of chipotle powder, use 3 grams of pasilla powder as it is less spicy.
11. Adobo Seasoning
Coming in last but not least is adobo seasoning. Adobo seasoning is a blend of chili pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper. This spice is mainly used to marinate and rub on chicken or fish before grilling or baking them. But recently, people have started using it as a seasoning for stews and soups because of its savory flavors.
Adobo seasoning is a good alternative to chipotle powder if you want to add more depth of flavor to your dish without making it too spicy.
How to substitute: For 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder, use 1 teaspoon of adobo seasoning.
Get ready for some spicy goodness if you have used any of these substitutes for chipotle powder! All of them have distinct qualities that will only add layers to your recipe, alongside some sweat-inducing heat and delicious flavor.
