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Spices & seasonings · Chillies & peppers

Dried whole chillies

Whole dried red chilli pods, fried in tadka, toasted, or soaked and blended into pastes and sauces.

Also called: dried red chilies, ancho chiles, guajillo, kashmiri chillies, arbol, sabut lal mirch

A kind of chilli pepper

146 recipes with it

Read the full spice guide: flavour, history and how to use it

What it is

Dried chillies are whole chilli pods dried until leathery or brittle. Indian sabut lal mirch (often Kashmiri or Byadgi) are fried whole in tadka; Mexican chiles such as ancho, guajillo and árbol are toasted and soaked to make sauces; Sichuan dried chillies are fried with Sichuan pepper. Heat varies hugely: removing seeds and membranes reduces it.

Capsicum spp.

How it’s used

  • Whole in tadka for dal, sambar and chutneys
  • Soaked and blended for vindaloo or Mexican mole and adobo
  • Fried with Sichuan pepper in kung pao chicken
  • Infusing chilli oils
  • Ground into masalas

Characteristics

Taste
Fruity to smoky, mild to very hot depending on type.
When cooked
Darken and puff in hot oil within seconds; burnt chillies taste bitter and release choking fumes.
Sold as
whole, flakes, ground
Cooking uses
Used for tempering (tadka), Mainly a seasoning, Commonly cooked

Varieties

  • Kashmiri
  • Byadgi
  • Guntur
  • Ancho
  • Guajillo
  • Árbol
  • Chipotle

Kinds in our pantry

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Airtight jar or bag away from light; pods that are mouldy or have lost all colour should go.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Frying chillies gives off irritating fumes: ventilate and keep your face away from the pan.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
281 kcal
Protein
11.86 g
Carbohydrate
51.42 g
Fat
8.2 g
Fibre
21.6 g
Sugars
— g

USDA FoodData Central: Peppers, ancho, dried.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Related ingredients

Recipes with dried whole chillies

See all 146

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