Dried red chile
Chiles Secos$4.99 / packApproximate price based on US supermarkets.
Dried red chile is an essential ingredient in Mexican cuisine, used to add flavor and color to sauces and stews. Its flavor profile is spicy and smoky, making it ideal for enhancing dishes. This ingredient is key in many traditional Mexican recipes.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can't find it? Look in Mexican and Latino grocery stores in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois or Arizona, or order online via Amazon US.
Buy online
Can't find Dried red chile near you? You can also buy it online:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How it's used in Mexican cooking
Dried red chile, part of the dried chillies section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 1 recipe in our collection, including Enchiladas Huastecas con Cecina (Huasteca Red Enchiladas with Dried Chilli Beef). Each recipe shows step by step how it is added, in what quantity and which other ingredients it is paired with — the most reliable guide to how it is actually used in Mexican cooking.
Recipes using dried red chile
Storage and substitutes
How to store it
Keep dried chillies in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place — they hold their aroma and flexibility for months. If they have gone brittle, toast them briefly in a dry pan before soaking them in hot water to revive their flavour.
Substitutes
If you can't find a specific variety, another dried chilli with a similar profile works if you adjust the quantity: ancho, mulato and pasilla share sweet, fruity notes with mild heat, while árbol and morita are noticeably hotter. Guajillo is one of the most versatile bases for salsas and adobos.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes use Dried red chile?
Dried red chile is used in 1 recipe in our collection, such as Enchiladas Huastecas con Cecina (Huasteca Red Enchiladas with Dried Chilli Beef). The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Dried red chile in the US?
You can buy Dried red chile online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Mexican and Latino grocery stores in the US.
How should Dried red chile be stored?
Keep dried chillies in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place — they hold their aroma and flexibility for months. If they have gone brittle, toast them briefly in a dry pan before soaking them in hot water to revive their flavour.
Do you sell Dried red chile?
If you run a store that stocks this product, register and showcase it to thousands of people across the US.
Register my store