WHAT IS ANCHO CHILE?
Ancho chile is a dried version of the almost-ripe red poblano pepper that originates from Mexico. The pepper is named Ancho due to its width as “ancho” means “wide” in Spanish. Ancho chile peppers have a mild spice level with a sweet, raisin-like and almost chocolatey flavor.
HOW TO USE ANCHO CHILE
Traditionally ancho chiles are usually incorporated with cooking sauces. You can also blend Ancho chile powder with other spices as part of a rub or marinade before cooking meats and vegetables.
ANCHO CHILE POWDER SUBSTITUTES
If you need a substitute in the spice aisle for ancho peppers, try chipotle powder which also provides a smoky flavor.
FLAVORS THAT GO WITH ANCHO CHILE POWDER:
Ancho pair nicely with these herbs and spices. Try them together the next time you're in the kitchen cooking something up for lunch or dinner.
Cumin: Our pure cumin is an easy way to add deep, earthy citrusy flavors to spark your favorite meals. Cumin is one of the top 10 selling spices in the U.S. The spice dates back to Egypt 4,000 years ago, and McCormick Cumin is hand-harvested, sun-dried and carefully screened so you know you're getting nothing but the purest flavor. Add this spice for a warm flavor and earthy color to everyday soups, stews, meats and vegetables. Try ancho chile pepper and cumin together in a red pozole recipe.
Cinnamon: Our pure cinnamon lends a warm, sweet aroma to everything from morning toast to cookies, and it also has a savory side, with earthy, mahogany-colored flavors
Garlic: Dried garlic takes on a mellow, round flavor that elevates recipes both savory and sweet. Garlic is a member of the lily family, native to Central Asia and cousin to leeks, chives, onions and shallots. It’s the most pungent of the lilies, with a strong flavor and aroma. Unless you’re using it to ward off vampires, as people have done since the 1700s, it pays to use allium sativum with a gentle hand.
Hot Chili: Hot chili pepper adds flavorful heat to chili, tacos, salsas and other Mexican-style dishes.
Oregano: Meet oregano, a robust herb that comes in whole leaves or ground up, giving meals a peppery bite and a sweet, minty aroma. In Greek, oregano means “joy of the mountain." Even though it's super popular today, it actually wasn't wasn’t widely used in the U.S. until GIs returned from Italy during World War II. Our pure oregano is a delicious addition to any tomato dish, eggs and omelets, chicken, fish and pork, cooked vegetables, vinaigrettes and more. Consider it your go-to herb for that real Mediterranean flavor. Try oregano and ancho chile peppers with a Greek Tabbouleh Salad Arepas With Ancho Yogurt Sauce.
GRAB YOUR ANCHO PRODUCTS!
AND TRY THESE ANCHO CHILE RECIPES:
- Hibiscus Ancho Sorbet
- Ancho Orange Beer Can Chicken
- Cinnamon Ancho Strawberry S'more Bites
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Grilled Corn On The Cob With Ancho Orange Mayonnaise
- Puebla Hot Pot Broth with Avocado Crema
- Tres Queso Chicken Pasta
- Paloma with Ancho-Arbol Syrup
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPICES & HERBS
- 5 (Almost) Magical Spice Pairings You Need To Try Right Now
- Tips & Tricks For Organizing Your Spice Cabinet
- How Long Do Spices Last?
- How To Make An Herb Rub Without A Recipe
- Tart And Bitter Flavor Profiles
- 15 Ways To Make The Most Of That Stack Of Corn Tortillas
TRY SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CUISINES
Want to create a meal plan for your ancho recipes? Need help planning your weekly meals and want to try new recipes? Save your favorite food, dessert, drink recipes and organize your ingredients with McCormick Meal Planner.
