Guajillo peppers have a vibrant red color, mild to medium heat, and a tangy, slightly fruity flavor. These dried peppers add depth to a variety of dishes, from moles and marinades to soups and salsas.
If guajillo peppers aren’t available, there are several substitutes that can help replicate the flavor and heat they add to a recipe.
What Are Guajillo Peppers?
Guajillo peppers are dried mirasol chili peppers, with a heat level of 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units. They are mildly spicy with tangy, fruity, and slightly smoky undertones. Their reddish skin and complex flavor make them a favorite for creating sauces, adobos, and broths. Guajillo peppers are typically soaked and blended into recipes or ground into a powder for use in spice mixes and rubs.
5 Substitutes for Guajillo Peppers
1. Ancho Peppers
Ancho peppers, the dried form of poblano peppers, are a great substitute for guajillo peppers due to their rich, earthy flavor and sweet undertones of raisins and chocolate. While they lack the tanginess and have a milder heat (1,000 to 2,000 Scoville units), they work well in recipes where the flavor complexity is more important than matching the heat level.
Ancho peppers are ideal for mole sauces, stews, and adobo, where their deep flavor can complement the dish even if they don’t bring the same mild spiciness as guajillos.
Recipes: Use ancho peppers in mole, enchiladas, or as a base for chili pastes.
2. Pasilla Peppers
Pasilla peppers, also known as “chilaca” peppers in their fresh form, offer an earthy, smoky flavor with a mild heat (1,000 to 3,000 Scoville units). They are slightly more robust in flavor than guajillo peppers but provide a similar depth and complexity, making them ideal for soups, stews, and sauces.
Pasilla peppers are darker in color and work best in recipes requiring a rich, smoky flavor.
Recipes: Use pasilla peppers in adobo sauces, salsas, or as a flavor base for mole.
3. Mulato Peppers
Mulato peppers closely resemble guajillo peppers in texture and use, but they have a slightly sweeter flavor with notes of chocolate and dried fruit. Their heat level is very mild (500 to 2,000 Scoville units), and their smooth smokiness makes them a suitable substitute in mole, braised dishes, and slow-cooked recipes.
For powdered substitutes, mulato chili powder can also replace guajillo powder, especially in spice rubs and barbecue blends.
Recipes: Use mulato peppers in mole sauces, braised meats, or as a flavorful addition to soups.
4. Chipotle Peppers
Chipotle peppers, the smoked and dried version of jalapeños, bring a smoky, earthy flavor with moderate heat (2,500 to 8,000 Scoville units). While they are smokier and spicier than guajillo peppers, they add depth and complexity to sauces, marinades, and stews.
Chipotle powder also works as a guajillo powder substitute in dry rubs and marinades, providing a stronger smoky kick.
Recipes: Use chipotle peppers in chili, barbecue sauces, or to flavor stews and braises.
5. Cascabel Peppers
Cascabel peppers, known for their round shape and mild to medium heat (1,000 to 3,000 Scoville units), provide a nutty and slightly smoky flavor. While less tangy than guajillo peppers, cascabels are versatile enough to replace them in sauces, soups, and spice mixes.
Cascabel peppers are an excellent choice for salsas and broths, where their nutty flavor enhances the dish’s complexity.
Recipes: Use cascabel peppers in sauces, soups, or slow-cooked dishes.
Tips for Using Substitutes
- Adjust for Heat: Some substitutes, like chipotle peppers, are spicier than guajillos. Use them sparingly to maintain a similar heat level.
- Rehydrate Whole Peppers: If using whole dried peppers as a substitute, soak them in warm water for 15-20 minutes to rehydrate before blending or chopping.
- Blend for Flavor: Combine a milder substitute, like ancho peppers, with a spicier option, like chipotle, to better mimic the guajillo pepper’s spice and flavor.
These substitutes allow you to maintain the unique flavor and character that guajillo peppers bring to your recipes, ensuring your dishes stay authentic and delicious.