Best Substitute for Ancho Chili Powder (9 Options)

Ancho chili powder is a delicious, popular spice powder that's second to none. A delicious Asian sauce or a homemade spicy chicken sauce recipe, there is nothing this powder can't be used with. But what if you can't find this spice or want a different flavor altogether? Well, I've got the best ancho chili powder substitutes around.

You can substitute ancho chili powder for Guajillo Chili Powder, smoked paprika, red chili powder, and cayenne pepper powder. But this is far from all, so let's hop into all the ancho chili powder swaps you can use!

🤷 What is Ancho Chili Powder?

Ancho chili powder is a spice made from dried poblano peppers. The poblano pepper is a mild chili pepper that's commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It has a sweet and smoky flavor with a mild to medium heat level that's used in tamales, enchiladas, and mole sauce. The powder is made when the poblano pepper is dried. This becomes an ancho pepper. This is then ground and made into a fine powder.

🆚 Ancho Chili Powder vs Chili Powder

When a recipe calls for Ancho Chili Powder, you may wonder if you can substitute it with regular chili powder. Well, this chart should help you pick either one for the dish.

🧑‍🍳 How to Make Ancho Chili Powder

To make Ancho chili powder, start by toasting dried Ancho chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Remove the stems and seeds from the chilies, then grind the toasted chilies into a fine powder using a spice grinder or blender. Strain the powder to remove any larger pieces. You can also add other complementary spices like cumin, garlic powder, and oregano to enhance the flavor.

💡 Best Substitutes for Ancho Chili Powder

Guajillo Chili Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of guajillo powder

When it comes to finding a substitute for ancho chili powder, guajillo chili powder is a top-notch choice. This spice is made from dried guajillo chilies, which have a flavor profile similar to ancho chilies but with a slightly sweeter taste. It also packs a fruity and smoky flavor with a mild to medium heat level that can elevate any dish's taste.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes

Crushed red pepper flakes are a flavorful spice made from dried and crushed red chili peppers with a moderate to high level of heat. The flakes also have a slightly fruity and smoky taste that can complement many dishes, from pasta sauces to stir-fry dishes. They do have a higher heat level than ancho chili powder, so it's important to adjust the amount used in your recipe to avoid making your dish too spicy.

Pasilla Chile Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of pasilla chile powder

Pasilla chile powder is a unique spice with a similar spiciness to ancho chili powder. A perfect ancho chili powder substitute. The blend of dried pasilla chilies gives it a nice touch of mild spiciness. Thanks to this mild to medium heat level, it can also be mixed with other spices to create an even better-tasting experience. 

Smoked Paprika

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

Paprika is a great alternative to ancho chili powder. This powder is made from dried and ground peppers smoked over oak wood, giving it a distinct smoky taste. Unlike ancho chili powder, it's not as spicy. But you can add more to equal the spic it lacks. Smoked paprika is also a common ingredient in Spanish cuisine and can be found in most grocery stores. But if you can't, you can use paprika substitutes instead.

Red Chili Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of red chili powder and ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper

Red chili powder is a common substitute for ancho chili powder made from dried and ground red peppers and has a similar smoky and slightly sweet flavor. This powder is generally hotter than ancho chili powder, so you may want to use less of it in your recipe to avoid making it too spicy. You can also try using chili powder substitutes for an equal or better taste to ancho chili powder.

Cayenne Pepper Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder

Cayenne pepper powder is made from dried and ground cayenne peppers. It has a Scoville rating of around 30,000 to 50,000, which is similar to its ancho counterpart. However, this pepper powder does have a slightly different taste than ancho chili powder as it has a more pungent and slightly bitter taste. If you can't find any cayenne pepper powder, you can use cayenne pepper substitutes instead.

Mulato Pepper Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of mulato pepper powder

Mulato pepper powder is an excellent alternative to ancho chili powder made from dried mulato peppers. It has an earthy and slightly sweet flavor that's different from ancho chili powder. Its deep brown color and slightly sweet undertones add layers of flavor and texture to sauces, stews, and marinades. And with its mild to medium heat level, it's just perfect for providing a subtle spiciness without overpowering the dish.

New Mexico Chile Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of New Mexico chile powder

New Mexico chili powder is made from dried New Mexico chilies, which also have a similar flavor profile but still differ in taste. This chili powder can add a subtle kick of spiciness to your dishes with a mild to medium heat level. Not to mention, the earthy and slightly sweet flavor of this chili powder can add complexity to its texture while keeping the other ingredients in balance, making it an excellent ingredient to keep in your pantry.

Chipotle Powder

1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder = 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder

Chipotle powder is a tasty spice made from smoked and dried jalapeño peppers, which give it a smoky and slightly sweet taste that can enhance the flavor of your dishes. Using chipotle powder as a replacement has the advantage of having a similar heat level to ancho chili powder. You can also try some chipotle paste substitutes instead if you're looking for a more liquid, pasty texture.