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Make Your Own Chili Powders and Add Subtle
Yet Complex Flavours to Your Dishes

Making homemade chili powders yourself opens up a whole new world of fabulous flavours and mouthwatering aromas! Using a mix of dried peppers and tasty herbs and spices, they can be made in just minutes. Below I use the fiery birds eye peppers which can be swapped with pre-ground powder if that's what you have to hand. (See the bottom of the page for links to more of my recipes)

What You'll Need: (makes about 11-12 tablespoons)

25-30 dried birds eye peppers (or other variety)
OR 4 tbsp pre-ground chili powder
3 tbsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp white peppercorns (or black)
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp ginger powder
2 tsp mustard powder
2-3 tsp salt (see note 2 below)
1 tsp whole cloves
5-6 dried bay leaves
20-30 dried curry leaves (optional)
2 inch piece of cinnamon

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

• Break up the cinnamon stick

• If using whole peppers, grind them along with the cinnamon pieces, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, cloves, dried rosemary and cumin and coriander seeds

• Once ground add to a bowl

• Add the garlic, mustard, ginger and onion powders to the bowl and combine thoroughly. (Also stir in the chili if using pre-ground instead of whole) 

• Finally, crumble in the dried basil, and if using, the optional curry leaves. Combine again
  
  

Store your chili spice in an airtight jar. Use within 3 months before making up a fresh lot.

Note: To really get the best out of the ingredients, then dry toasting the peppercorns, cloves, cumin and coriander seeds before grinding and combining is something I recommend. Click here for photos and tips on toasting and grinding. (Link opens in new window)

Note 2: I recommend using a quality rock/sea/kosher salt as these are less processed and will add better flavour. But you could happily use regular table salt (as I sometimes do) if that's all you have to hand.

Chili Note: I use 20-30 birds eye peppers for this recipe which are quite small. If you use another bigger variety, you may have to cut down the amounts you use depending on their size. I suggest the amount you use to be about a third or a quarter of a cup of which ever pepper you use. 

Ingredient Note: You'll note that I use a few whole spices which I then grind as these will have the most flavour. If you don't have whole, it's fine to use pre-ground powders if you reduce the quantities the recipe requires by about half. So instead of 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds you would use 1 tablespoon of pre-ground coriander. Reduce any other ingredients you don't have whole by half as well and stir in with any other powders when making.

Homemade Chili Powder Recipe

A Step-by-Step Instructional Video

Here's a video of how I make my chili powders. If you enjoyed it and have a Youtube account, you can click the SUBSCRIBE button in the bottom right corner in the video, OR click the SUBSCRIBE link below the video...

Click here to Subscribe to my Youtube Channel
(Link opens in new window)

My Spice Magic Recipe Book - Only $5

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the Above,You Can Now Buy My Book.

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After Making Your Homemade Chili Powders You May Like to Try...

Chipotle Chili Blend -
A Flavourful Mix Made
With Fiery Chipotle
Peppers

California Chili Mix -
Made With Authentic
Anaheim Peppers

A Range of Seasoning
Blends For Fabulous
Home Cooking

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