Chile salt, also known as chile lime salt, is a seasoning blend made by combining salt, dried chile peppers, and lime. It adds a kick of heat and citrus flavor to foods. Chile salt is easy to make at home and can be customized to suit different tastes and spice preferences.
What are the origins of chile salt?
Chile salt originated in Mexico, where seasoning food with chile peppers dates back thousands of years. The Aztecs used dried chiles to make early versions of chile salt. The recipe evolved over time, with lime added to provide tartness and help cut through the heat. Chile lime salt became a popular way to season fruits, vegetables, meats, and snacks in Mexico.
The blend also became common in Tex-Mex and Southwestern American cuisine. Restaurants serve chile salt on the rims of margarita glasses. The seasoning is offered as a condiment for rimming plates or sprinkling on food. As Mexican and Southwestern flavors expanded in popularity across the United States, chile lime salt became a staple seasoning.
How is chile salt made?
Making chile salt at home is easy. The basic ingredients are:
- Salt – Fine grain salt works best. Table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt are good options.
- Dried chile peppers – Common types are arbol, ancho, chipotle, New Mexico, or de árbol. Ground chile powder can also be used.
- Lime – Freshly grated lime zest or lime juice adds bright acidity.
To make a basic chile lime salt:
- Combine 1 cup of salt with 2-3 tablespoons of dried chile pepper in a bowl. Powder the chile peppers first using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. This helps distribute the chile flavor evenly throughout the salt.
- Add the zest of 1-2 limes and mix everything together thoroughly. For extra lime flavor, add a teaspoon of lime juice.
- Store the chile lime salt in an airtight container. It will keep for several months.
The ratio of chile to salt can be adjusted based on desired spiciness. More chile pepper will create a hotter blend. Some recipes also include extra flavorings like cumin, oregano, garlic powder or onion powder.
How is chile salt used?
Here are some of the most popular ways to use chile lime salt:
- Rim margarita glasses – Wet the glass rim and dip into chile salt to add a spicy, tangy edge to margaritas and other cocktails.
- Tacos – Sprinkle on street tacos, fish tacos, and carne asada tacos for an extra punch of flavor.
- Fruits – Chile salt contrasts deliciously with the sweetness of mango, pineapple, jicama and cucumber slices.
- Popcorn – Toss popcorn with melted butter or oil and chile lime salt for an addictive snack.
- Nuts – Roast peanuts, almonds or cashews with a coating of chile lime salt.
- Vegetables – Chile salt brightens up roasted potatoes, zucchini, carrots or cauliflower.
- Eggs – Sprinkle over easy fried eggs or scrambles for breakfast.
- Seafood – Rub on shrimp, fish or ceviche for Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Meats – Excellent on chicken, beef or pork, especially when grilling fajitas or other Mexican dishes.
- Rims – Rim cocktail glasses, saucers, and plates. Also rim the tops of beer bottles or cans.
What are the benefits of chile salt?
Some of the benefits of using chile lime salt include:
- Adds lots of flavor with just a simple sprinkle
- Provides a spicy kick from the chile peppers
- Lime zest introduces bright, citrusy notes
- Balances sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and savory tastes
- Enhances the flavor of many types of foods
- Convenient way to season without needing multiple ingredients
- Customizable based on preferred level of heat
- Inexpensive and easy to make at home
What types of chile pepper are used?
There are many varieties of chile peppers that can be used to make chile salt, ranging from mild to very hot. Some of the most popular options include:
| Chile Pepper | Scoville Heat Units | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Ancho | 1,000 – 1,500 SHU | Mild heat, raisin-like, sweet |
| Chipotle | 10,000 SHU | Smoky, medium heat |
| New Mexico | 1,500 – 2,500 SHU | Roasted, mild to medium-low heat |
| Árbol | 15,000 – 30,000 SHU | Bright, hot |
| De árbol | 15,000 – 30,000 SHU | Similar to árbol but milder |
The heat level, or Scoville rating, indicates the concentration of capsaicin, the compound that gives chiles their spicy kick. Árbol and de árbol dried chiles are commonly used for making chile salt due to their intense red color and flavor. Chipotles add a smokiness from being dried over a fire. Ancho and New Mexico chiles skew milder but provide rich, roasted depth.
Is store-bought or homemade better?
Homemade chile salt has some advantages over pre-made versions:
- You can customize the heat level and flavors to your taste.
- It’s less expensive to make at home.
- You control the quality of the ingredients.
- It will taste fresher.
- You can experiment with different chile pepper varieties.
However, store-bought chile salt can still be a quick, convenient option. When purchasing, look for brands that use quality ingredients without a lot of additives or anti-caking agents. The chile salt should have a vivid red color from the dried peppers. It’s helpful if the heat level is indicated on the packaging so you can find a blend suited to your preferences.
Artisan brands that specialize in chile salt, or Mexican and Southwestern seasonings, often have excellent options made with authentic ingredients. Gourmet versions incorporate additional spices, citrus, herbs, and flavors like hatch green chile or ghost pepper.
While pre-made chile lime salt can work perfectly fine, homemade has the advantage of controlling the flavors while also saving money. With just basic ingredients like dried peppers and lime, it’s easy to whip up a custom batch at home.
Conclusion
Chile lime salt is a zesty, versatile seasoning that adds intrigue to many dishes. With a punch of heat from chile peppers and a bright citrus note from lime, it livens up everything from drinks to desserts. The blend originated in Mexico but is now popular worldwide. While store-bought chile salt can be handy, making it at home allows you to customize the flavors to your taste and spice preferences. With just a few pantry ingredients, you can create your own signature blend.