How to Make Delicious Chili Powder

Stop using bland store bought chili powder. Making your own is really simple and will make your food taste so much better.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Peppers (Dried)
• Cumin
• Ground Black Pepper
• Garlic (Dried, powdered)
• Salt
• Blender
• Sealable Jar

1. Cleaning: Remove all stems from the peppers. Wipe the dust off them with a damp rag and let them dry again. If you are concerned about it being too hot, remove the seeds at this point as well. If you like it hot like I do, leave them in!

2. Grinding: Put all the dried peppers into the blender. Put it on the highest setting for as long as it takes to turn them into dust. This could take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the blender and the volume of peppers you are using. Let the dust settle before opening the blender or you will inhale the dust. That burns…a lot.

3. Additives: Remove the base of the chili powder. Add about 1 part each of the garlic and black pepper and about 2 parts cumin per 20 parts of chili powder. Start w/ a very small amount of salt and taste it. Add more if necessary but, be careful not to add very much. This gives it some contrast so that if you use it as a condiment, it’s can stand on it’s own a little better. If you use much salt, be careful not to over-salt the food when you cook with it.

4. Storage: Put the chili powder in a sealable jar. A mason jar works good. Store in a dark cabinet. It will last a good year this way.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a variety of peppers for contrast.
• You can use all fresh ingredients but, dehydrate them first.
• Be careful not to use too many hot peppers or it will be too hot.
• Wash well afterwards and DO NOT touch your face or eyes.

[amylaine]

on 9/26/2009 Just used this. I was out of chili powder so I did a little ehowing and found your article. It looks and smells great, so I will have to see tonight how it turns out. I even made extra to have for next chili night. thanks.

[klemm2]

on 8/1/2009 The ingredients say to use peppers, but what kind(s) should I or could I use? And can you mix the different peppers?

[shirleybill]

on 7/1/2009 I like making home made stuff, so i sure am going to try that one. Thanks.

[apalmer]

on 6/30/2009 Thank you for this recipe. We ran out of chili powder and my son is working on his 4-H chili project! You saved the day! 5*

[bethjess39564]

on 12/5/2008 I grow all types of peppers in the summer. Great way to use them. Thanks!