What Is Guajillo Chile (Mexican Dried Whole Peppers) | Mexican Made Meatless™ (2024)

Chile guajillo or guajillo peppers are a dried red chile very popular in traditional Mexican cooking. In this detailed guide I share everything you need to know and how to use this flavorful chili pepper.

What are Chiles Guajillos

Guajillo chile pepper is one of the most popular and commonly used Mexican chiles – only second to ancho chiles.

Another name of these chile peppers is mirasol chiles ormiracielochile, this is only when they are in their “fresh” stage hanging on the chile plant. The words “mirasol” and “miracielo” mean looking up at the sky.

So what do you call the dried version of mirasol chilies? Guajillo.

Chile guajillo typically measures from 3 to 4 inches in length. In their raw state they are a bright red color with smooth skin. The dried fruit or dried guajillos have leathery skin that’s shinny and has a deep vibrant red color. They also have a slight fruit scent to them.

Due to it’s popularity guajillo is one of the most commonly grown chiles and are widely used chile in authentic Mexican cuisine. Such is their history and popularity that and it’s one of the many varieties that has existed in the country since pre-Hispanic times.

These dried chiles belong to the Capiscum annuum family and are in the mirasol species family. These 3 chili peppers are related peppers often mistaken for one another because their names are interchanged depending on the region of Mexico. But be careful because these peppers each have a different heat level and a unique flavor profile – they also do look different from one another.

What does Guajillo Chile Taste Like

The chile guajillo flavor is defined as sweet and fruity, simultaneously, but not too hot. They definitely have a unique flavor profile and it’s really no wonder they are so popular in the cuisine of Mexico.​

In Mexican gastronomy, chile guajillo is mainly used for its color and unique flavor rather than it’s heat level.

Are Guajillo Peppers Spicy

Like all chiles in Mexico the spiciness of the pepper will depend on the chile variety, the inclusion of the veins and seeds, harvest time, weather conditions and other factors that may even be associated with the type of soil and its nutrients used when growing.

However, we can classify the guajillo pepper’s spice level as low to moderately spicy.

Guajillos have a rating of 2500 y 5000 SHU or Scoville heat units. This means that they are ranked spicier than a poblano and can have the same “sweet heat” of a mild jalapeno pepper.

But don’t be intimidated if you find jalapeño pepper spicy, because the fruity flavor of guajillos really is very mild. If you’re a beginner to Mexican chiles and want a chile pepper with mild heat, then guajillos are a good choice.

Can You Substitute Any Other Pepper for Guajillos?

Yes, you can substitute guajillos with other chiles.

The best dried guajillo chiles substitutes are ancho peppers, cascabel chilies, pasilla chiles, anaheim peppers, California chiles or New Mexico chiles, or even chipotle for a spicier and smoky flavor.

However I would suggest a blend of 2 or 3 of these different suggestions for achieving a closer result of the intended flavor.

Health Benefits of Guajillo Chilies

Chile guajillo contains iron, vitamins A, B6, & C mainly. It also represents a very powerful dose of natural antioxidants.

The benefits of chile peppers in general are still being investigated by different prestigious universities around the world; but among the reported benefits are anti-inflammatory particularly beneficial for inflammatory disorders, aid in weight loss, aphrodisiac, analgesic or pain relieving properties, to name a few. You can read more about this on my article titled “The Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Spicy Food“.

How to Choose The Best Dried Chiles

You can find them at any Mexican markets or also many grocery stores now carry then in the foreign food or spices aisle. There’s also always Amazon too. The packages in Spanish will say “chile guajillo” or “chile guajillo entero”.​

Look for the peppers that have a deep reddish color with slight brown tones. Choose ones with a thin, smooth, and shiny skin. They should measure around 3-5 inches long.

Avoid any that look too dry and brittle and aren’t pliable. Also any that have dust or blotches of dry dirt. You also want to avoid ones with small holes because that can indicate insect damage and if any survived they may get out in your pantry and infest your other chiles or flour.

Make sure to read the back of the bag and look for information about where they were grown. Believe it or not, there has recently been Asian cultivated chiles introduced to the market – and they are not the same!

How to Use Them

You can use the guajillo peppers to make all sorts of recipes. It depends if you buy dried guajillos or in chile powder. Typically a Mexican dish will call for the dried chiles but in a pinch you could substitute with guajillo powder.

These chiles are commonly used for making guajillo sauce or salsa to cook many types of meat dishes. Combined with herbs and spices they can make chile sauces for traditional guisados or stews.

From here you can dry roast on a dry comal or skillet for a couple of minutes. I don’t always do this, it depends on how you’re going to use the chiles. Just keep in mind the dry toasting is done because it’s believed that it draws out the flavor and oils and adds more depth of flavor to the guajillo.

Place the seeded guajillos in a large bowl or inside a pot with boiling hot water. Leave to soak and rehydrate for about 10 minutes or until completely soft and pliable. The color will also become more vibrant.

Another method for hydrating is in the microwave. Place wiped and seeded guajillos in a microwave safe container with plenty of water, and microwave for 3 minutes on high power setting. Carefully remove from the microwave, cover and let sit until fully rehydrated.

Now you’re ready to use as desired.​

How to Store

To store dried guajillos in dry climates with relatively stable temperatures, place inside large Ziplock bags squeezing out as much air as possible. Store in a cool dark and dry place at room temperature and avoiding any prolonged direct sunlight exposure.

To store dried guajillos in hot and humid climates, first make sure that they are completely dry. Then place them in an airtight container – I use either plastic food storage bins with tight lids or reusable food vacuum sealer bags. Both work great for me being that I live in a very hot and humid place. Make sure to store in a cool place that’s dark and without any humidity nearby.

Once you’ve rehydrated the chiles, and if you’re not using right away, you can store then in the refrigerator.​

Another option is to freeze them. You can do this with both the dried and rehydrated guajillos. They’ll keep fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter.

How Long do Guajillos Last

Once hydrated and stored in the refrigerator they’ll stay fresh for about 4 days. Rehydrated guajillos that have gone off will have an off smell and an acrid taste.

If storing rehydrated guajillos in the freezer they’ll keep fresh up to 6 months.

Dried guajillos, if harvested, dried andstored properly, can stay fresh for up to 2 years.

A special gratitude and recognition to Jorge A. Cordova Garza for co-writing this article.