When it comes to making the best chili, authentic homemade Texas chili powder is the key ingredient. Texas-style chili is known for its robust and rich flavors, and the secret behind it lies in the chili powder blend.
Homemade chili powder is a staple item in my pantry because I use it so often. It's far better than any chili powder you will find in the grocery stores and it is really easy to make. This is an adaptation of a recipe by Alton Brown on the Food Network. I modified his original recipe for my taste, but the inspiration came from Mr. Brown.
If this is your first time making your own chili powder, don't worry! In this post, I will guide you through the process of creating your very own Texas chili powder using roasted dried chiles and a few other ingredients. Whether you're a Texas chili purist or just looking to spice up your favorite chili recipes, this homemade chili powder will undoubtedly become a staple in your kitchen.
Homemade chili powder is one of those things that, once you try it, you will never go back to store-bought chili powder again.
Chile Powder vs. Chili Powder - What's the Difference
Chile powder is made from roasted and ground dried chile peppers. Chili powder contains other spices like black pepper, cumin, oregano and paprika.
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Selecting the Right Chiles
This may be easier said than done. My market never seems to have the same chiles in stock so sometimes I need to get creative and try multiple markets. There are plenty of online resources if you can't find them locally. For this batch, I selected guajillo, ancho, cascabel and de arbol chiles.
Ingredients
- Ancho chiles
- Cascabel chiles
- Guajillo chiles
- Chiles de arbol
- Whole cumin seeds
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Paprika
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Roast the Chiles
Start by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chile pods. You can do this by breaking them open and shaking out the seeds.
Heat a large cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Place the chiles in the pan. Stir the chiles and turn them over every 10 seconds for about 1 minute.
Place the chiles in a hot, dry skillet over medium heat. Stir the chiles and turn them over every 10 seconds for about 1 minute.
Move the chiles to one side and add the cumin seeds to the bottom of the skillet and stir. Continue to stir flip the chiles for another 3 - 4 minutes until the cumin starts to toast. Carefully dump the toasted chiles and cumin seeds into a bowl and allow to cool. If left in the pan to cool they can overcook and even burn.
Cumin is a staple in Mexican cuisine and adds a bit of earthiness to the chili powder blend.
Grind Them Up
Place the cooled chiles and cumin seeds into a small food processor, spice grinder or electric coffee grinder used for spices. Add the garlic powder, oregano and paprika and run at high speed until a fine powder has formed (about a minute). Let the dust settle inside for a minute or two and then open and inspect for pieces of chiles that have not been fully chopped. Process for another moment if necessary.
Variations
Homemade chili powder is easy to modify by changing the ratio between the various chiles or using different chiles altogether.
This recipe used regular oregano, not Mexican oregano. The reason is that Mexican oregano is really strong and it adds an aroma that dominates the chili powder. It's better to use regular oregano.
If you like it hot, add one teaspoon cayenne pepper to raise the heat level.
Great Ways to Use Texas Chili Powder
Homemade Texas chili powder can be used in many ways:
- As a general purpose Tex-Mex seasoning
- As a taco seasoning or enchilada seasoning
- To spice up some nachos
- In your favorite chili recipes, whether it's a batch made with beef chuck roast chili or tender beef tenderloin (True Texas chili doesn't have any beans, y'all)
- To show off in the next home-town chili cook-off and impress your family and friends
Storage
Store homemade chili powder in an airtight container in the pantry for up to six months. This will help preserve its freshness and flavor for a long time.
Wrap Up
Making your own chili powder is the best thing you can do to improve your spice cabinet. With the right blend of dried chiles and spices, you will create a chili powder with a flavor profile that's true to Texas-style cooking. So, grab your skillet and prepare a batch of homemade Texas chili powder. It’s the real deal in the world of chili powders. Your taste buds will thank you!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Homemade Chili Powder Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Place the chiles in the pan. Stir the chiles and turn them over every 10 seconds for about 1 minute.
- Move the chiles to one side and add the cumin seeds to the bottom of the pan and stir. Continue to stir flip the chiles for another 3 - 4 minutes until the cumin starts to toast. Carefully dump the toasted chiles and cumin seeds into a bowl and allow to cool. (If left in the pan to cool they can overcook and even burn.)
- Place the cooled chiles and cumin into a small food processor or electric coffee grinder used for spices. Add the garlic powder, oregano and paprika and run at high speed until a fine powder has formed (about a minute). Let the dust settle inside for a minute or two and then open and inspect for pieces of chiles that have not been fully chopped. Process for another moment if necessary. Store the homemade chili powder in an airtight container for up to six months.
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