Quick Answer
There are several good substitutes for chipotle peppers and chipotle seasoning that can allow you to still get a smoky, spicy flavor in your dishes. Some top options include:
- Ancho chile peppers – These are dried poblano peppers that have a mild, sweet heat.
- Guajillo chile peppers – A dried chile with a fruity, tangy flavor and medium heat.
- Pasilla chile peppers – Long, dark chiles that are mildly hot with raisin-like notes.
- Mulato chile peppers – A smoked dried poblano with a rich, chocolate-like flavor.
- Smoked paprika – Adds a subtle smoky flavor without much heat.
- Ground cayenne or chili powder – For adding some spice and heat.
- Adobo sauce – The tangy, vinegary sauce can provide both smokiness and heat.
You can use these dried chiles by rehydrating and blending them into a paste or sauce. Smoked paprika, cayenne, and chili powders are quick and convenient seasonings to use. Adobo sauce is an easy shortcut for getting complex flavors.
What Are Chipotle Peppers?
Chipotle peppers are a type of chili pepper, specifically the dried, smoked version of the jalapeño pepper. They are named after the Nahuatl word “chilpoctli” meaning “smoked chili pepper”.
Chipotles have a rich, earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness and plenty of heat. They measure between 2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units, so they are considered a medium hot pepper.
The smoking process not only dries the chiles but gives them a deep, almost bacon-like smoky flavor. This makes them impart a unique, charred taste to dishes.
Dried chipotles are often used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. They can be ground into powder, made into a sauce or salsa, or rehydrated and added whole. Popular uses include:
- Chipotle chili powder
- Adobo sauce
- Mole sauces
- Salsas and hot sauces
- Chili, stews, soups
- Rubs for meats
- Marinades and dressings
The distinct smokiness combined with hot, lingering heat makes chipotle chiles a very versatile ingredient.
Best Chipotle Pepper Substitutes
If you don’t have chipotle peppers, there are several dried chiles and spices that can mimic a similar flavor profile.
Ancho Chiles
Ancho chiles are dried poblano peppers. They have:
- Mild, sweet heat (1,000 to 2,000 Scoville units)
- Raisiny, pruny flavor
- Notes of coffee, chocolate, and licorice
Ancho chiles make an excellent milder substitute for chipotles in things like mole sauce, chili, marinades, etc. Rehydrate and blend into a paste to replace chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
Guajillo Chiles
Guajillo chiles are:
- Dried mirror chiles with medium heat (2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units)
- Tangy, fruity flavor
- Bright, berry-like notes
They have less smokiness than chipotles but can provide a nice fruity heat. Use in any dish needing a hotter chili flavor.
Pasilla Chile
Pasilla chiles are:
- Dried chilaca chiles, mild with a rich flavor (1,000 to 2,500 Scoville units)
- Raisin, prune, and caramel notes
- Slight bitterness
- Often used dried rather than smoked
Rehydrate and blend pasillas to make a milder substitute for chipotle salsa or adobo sauce.
Mulato Peppers
Mulato peppers are:
- Dried, smoked poblano peppers
- Mild heat (2,500 to 3,500 Scoville units)
- Rich, chocolate-like flavor
- Notes of licorice, cherry, and tobacco
Their combination of smoke and sweet, rich flavor makes them a good chipotle swap in mole sauces, rubs, salsas, etc.
Smoked Paprika
Smoked paprika is made from smoked and dried red bell peppers. It adds a deep, smoky flavor without much heat. Use it to replicate the smokiness of chipotle powder.
Cayenne Pepper or Chili Powder
While they lack smokiness, cayenne and chili powder can add back heat that the other substitutes may be missing. Add a dash when using milder dried chiles.
Adobo Sauce
Canned chipotle peppers packed in a thick, tangy adobo sauce are a convenient substitute. The sauce infuses the chiles with smoky, vinegary flavor. Use it anywhere you want chipotle flavor.
How to Use Chipotle Substitutes
Dried peppers:
- Remove stems and seeds then tear into pieces.
- Place in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 20-30 minutes to rehydrate.
- Drain peppers, reserving some soaking liquid.
- Blend peppers with a bit of the liquid to form a paste.
You can add this paste anywhere you would use chopped chipotle peppers. For a sauce, blend with more of the soaking liquid.
To make a substitute for chipotle powder:
- Toast dried chiles in a skillet for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove stems and seeds then grind chiles into a powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
Smoked paprika can substitute for chipotle powder at a 1:1 ratio. Cayenne and chili powder can be added to boost heat.
Adobo sauce can be used as is from the can or blended into a paste.
Chipotle Substitute Recipes
Ancho Chile Salsa
Ingredients:
- 3 dried ancho chiles, soaked and drained
- 1 cup reserved soaking liquid
- 1 onion, quartered
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the rehydrated anchos, 1/2 cup soaking liquid, onion, garlic, lime juice and spices.
- Blend until smooth, adding more liquid as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Season with salt.
Use this to replace chipotle salsa. The ancho chiles give a mild, sweet heat.
Smoky Guajillo Rub
Ingredients:
- 3 dried guajillo chiles, toasted
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
- In a spice grinder, grind the toasted guajillo chiles into a powder.
- Add the guajillo powder and remaining ingredients to a small bowl.
- Mix well until combined.
- Rub onto meats before grilling or roasting.
The guajillos offer fruity heat while the paprika provides smokiness. Makes a great chipotle rub.
Pasilla Adobo Sauce
Ingredients:
- 5 pasilla chiles, soaked and drained
- 1 cup reserved soaking liquid
- 5 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions:
- In a blender, puree the rehydrated pasillas, soaking liquid, garlic, vinegar and spices until smooth.
- Heat olive oil in pan and fry sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool before using.
- Discard bay leaf before using.
The pasillas give this a milder, less smoky flavor than chipotle adobo. Good for tacos, burritos, rice, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chipotle peppers spicy?
Yes, chipotle peppers are considered a moderately spicy chili pepper. On the Scoville scale, they range from 2,500 to 8,000 heat units, giving them a similar heat level to jalapeño peppers.
What pepper is closest to a chipotle?
The closest pepper to a chipotle is the jalapeño, since chipotles are smoked and dried jalapeños. For a substitute, ancho and guajillo chile peppers can provide a similar rich, deep flavor.
Are chipotles just smoked jalapenos?
Yes, chipotle peppers are jalapeño peppers that have been dried and smoked. The smoking process gives them their distinct smoky flavor.
Can I use fresh jalapenos instead of chipotle?
You can, but keep in mind fresh jalapenos will have a brighter, more vegetal flavor compared to the deeper, more complex taste of dried, smoked chipotles. Adjust other seasonings to compensate for the lack of smokiness.
Is adobo sauce the same as chipotle peppers?
Adobo sauce is made by canning chipotle chiles in a tangy, vinegary adobo sauce. The chiles take on the flavor of the sauce. While not exactly the same, canned adobo chipotles make an easy substitute in recipes.
Conclusion
Chipotle chile peppers have a unique smoky, spicy flavor that may be hard to duplicate exactly. However, using alternative dried chiles like ancho, guajillo or pasilla peppers can provide a similar heat level and rich taste.
Smoked paprika is ideal for imitating the smokiness while cayenne or chili powder can quickly add back missing heat. Canned chipotles in adobo sauce are a fast, convenient way to get both smoky and spicy flavors.
With so many varieties of dried chiles to pick from, you can experiment to find your perfect chipotle substitute based on the flavor profile and level of heat you want. Rehydrate and blend the chiles into cooked dishes, rubs, marinades and sauces to give them a taste reminiscent of chipotle peppers.