Just by looking at their rough exterior, dried chipotle peppers might not seem like much. You are probably used to your peppers being juicy, plump, and as wrinkle-free as possible.
However, the dried chiles break all of these rules. Despite their appearance, they are very versatile and can be used for many culinary and non-culinary purposes.
Know Your Dried Chipotle Pepper
The word ‘chipotle’ comes from the Nahuatl word “chilpoctli”, which means smoked chili pepper. Dried chipotle pepper is basically smoke-dried ripe jalapeño pepper.
The process of making it entails smoking the jalapeño peppers for several days until they become dried and shriveled. This method gives chipotle peppers a distinct smoky flavor with a moderate level of heat.
They are commonly used in Mexican, Southwestern, and even West African cuisine to add spiciness to various dishes. They are used with salsas, marinades, sauces, and all kinds of meats.
Best Ideas on How to Use Dried Chipotle Peppers
You can find dried Chipotle peppers in various forms, each suited for different culinary uses. Chipotle pepper could be Dried Whole.
These are whole jalapeño peppers that have been smoke-dried. They are typically a few inches long and have a wrinkled, dark brown appearance.
Frequently, they are attached to their stems, which should be cut off before consumption.
They can be used in dishes as is or ground into a powder. You can make your own Chipotle Powder, which is ground chipotle peppers.
Powdered chipotle is usually reddish brown or dark brown, kind of like a brick-red color. They are a convenient way to add their smoky flavor and heat to recipes.
Chipotle peppers are often canned and pureed in a flavorful adobo sauce made from vinegar, tomatoes, garlic, and various spices. Chipotle Flakes are crushed or flaked dried chipotle peppers.
They can be sprinkled onto dishes for a touch of smoky heat. You can easily use them in each form based on what your recipe calls for.
Here are the best ideas on how to use your dried chipotle peppers in their various forms:
Rehydrate and Use in Sauces
To rehydrate your pepper, choose the number of dried chipotle peppers you need. First, you’ll need to remove the stem. To do this, cut off the top of each chile.
Slit the side open by cutting through it. The seeds will mostly shake out easily. Scrape off any remaining seeds and remove any dried veins with your fingers or a spoon.
Although people think that the heat from the chili comes from the seeds, it really is in the membrane, not the seeds. It’s best to scrape out the seeds because they can become very tough and taste unpleasant gradually.
Rinse the dried chipotle peppers under cold water to remove any dust or debris.
Next, you need to soak it in water. You could do this a couple of ways by soaking in hot water. Place the dried chipotle peppers in a heatproof bowl and cover them with hot water.
Allow them to soak for 20-30 minutes or until they become soft and pliable.
Alternatively, you can bring a pot of water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Submerge the chipotle peppers in the hot water and let them soak for 15-20 minutes until they rehydrate.
Once softened, check if they’ve rehydrated nicely by pressing them gently. They should be soft and pliable. Then you can use them as your recipe dictates. You can chop, blend, or puree them to add their smoky flavor to your dishes.
You can also use the soaking water in your recipe as it will have absorbed some of the chipotle flavor. Then, blend them into sauces for a smoky, spicy flavor. You can use it in salsas, marinades, or adobo sauce.
Use in Soups and Stews
You can add whole or chopped chipotle peppers to soups, stews, or chili. It adds this rich, smoky flavor.
You can chop or blend these dried chipotle peppers with other types of peppers before adding them to your soup or stew.
Otherwise, you can add whole chipotle peppers directly to the soup or stew while it’s cooking. It’ll infuse the dish with a subtle peppery heat.
Dry Rubs and Marinades
Grind dried chipotle peppers into a powder and use them in dry rubs or marinades. Make a marinade by pureeing chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, lime juice, cumin, and other spices.
Marinate chicken, beef, pork, or tofu in this mixture before grilling or cooking. You can also use the cooked protein as a filling for tacos. These are perfect to infuse them with smoky spiciness.
Infuse Oils or Vinegar
You can steep dried chipotle peppers in olive oil or vinegar to create flavorful bases. These can be used with dressings, and dips, or to drizzle over dishes.
To make infusing oil, place dried chipotle peppers in a clean, dry bottle or jar. Fill the container with a neutral oil like olive oil or grapeseed oil.
Seal the container and let it sit in a cool, dark place for a few days to a week. Strain out the peppers before using the oil. You can also follow a similar process with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Use in Tacos or Enchiladas
To give your food that extra kick of flavor, you can add chopped chipotle peppers to them. There are different recipes you can make with spicy chipotle pepper.
Your taco fillings, enchilada sauces, or even guacamole. Blend chipotle peppers with tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice for a smoky salsa. You can also use it as a topping for tacos.
Use for Stuffed Peppers
To make stuffed peppers, you need to rehydrate the peppers. Remove the seeds, and stuff them with cheese, meat, or grains. This makes for a spicy and smoky stuffed pepper dish.
Flavoring for Beans or Rice
Toss a whole chipotle pepper into a pot of beans or rice while cooking to infuse the dish with a smoky flavor. Dried chipotle peppers are commonly used in the popular West African dish, Jollof rice.
It adds a smoky and spicy touch to the rice. Once you’ve rehydrated the pepper, you need to chop them and then blend them into a paste.
You can then proceed with your usual Jollof rice recipe. When you’re making the base sauce (usually tomatoes, onions, and other spices), you can include the prepared chipotle pepper paste.
To Make a Chile Ristra
People use chipotle peppers to create a chile ristra in the Mexican tradition. This is a decorative string of dried peppers said to bring good luck and good health.
They can also be hung out to dry this way and later consumed. Although chipotles are typically smaller than some other peppers commonly used for this purpose like New Mexican or Anaheim peppers.
If you have enough dried chipotle peppers and are looking to make a ristra, there are different ways to make one.
A Quick Tip Before Using Dried Chipotle
Chipotle peppers are spicy, and not everyone can handle the heat. It is advisable to use them in your dishes sparingly.
However, you’re free to use it according to your taste or preference. Since its smoky flavor can be quite potent, it’s best to taste as you go.