Ancho Chile Powder
Ancho Chile Powder
Ancho Chile Powder (AHN-cho), Capsicum annum, measures 500-1,500 SHU (Scoville Heat Units). It is also called ancho chili powder, ancho powder, or chile ancho powder. The poblano chile, when dried, is called chile ancho, which translates to "wide chile".
The Ancho chile pepper is the most used dried chile in authentic Mexican cuisine and is the top-selling pepper to our Mexican restaurant customers. These chiles are especially popular in Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisines.
Flavor Profile
Ancho Chile Powder has a mild fruity, sweet, slightly smoky flavor with undertones of plum, raisin, tobacco, and a hint of earthy bitterness.
Heat Level
The Ancho pepper is considered a mild heat chile and has a heat range of 500-1,500 SHU.
How to Use
Ancho Powder is used in spice rubs, mole sauces, and enchilada sauces. It intensifies the flavor of meat marinated and seasoned with adobo, called an adobado. It's great on beans, beef, casseroles, chicken, dips, pasta, pizza, popcorn, pork, red chilis, rice, salsa, soups, and stews.
Some of our favorite recipes using Ancho Chile Powder include Cinnamon and Ancho Chile Bark and Quick and Easy Spicy Grilled Shrimp.
Substitutions and Conversions
If you are looking for an ancho chile powder substitute go with guajillo or pasilla chile powder.
One (1) whole Ancho chile is roughly equivalent to one (1) heaping tablespoon of ancho powder which is also approximately equal to 1/4 oz.
| Ingredients | Ancho Chiles |
| Also Called | Ancho chili powder, ancho powder, or chile ancho powder |
| Recommended Uses | Use in spice rubs, mole sauces, and in enchilada sauces |
| Flavor Profile | Mild fruity, sweet, slightly smoky flavor with undertones of plum, raisin, tobacco, and a hint of earthy bitterness |
| Heat Level | 500-1,500 SHU |
| Cuisine | Mexican, Southwestern US, and Tex-Mex |
| How To Store | Airtight container in a cool, dark place |
| Shelf Life | 6-12 months |
| Country of Origin | Depending on the time of year, either Mexico or Peru |
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size1 tsp
Amount Per Serving
Calories10
% Daily Value*
Total Fat0g0%
Saturated Fat0g0%
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat0g
Monounsaturated Fat0g
Cholesterol0mg0%
Sodium1.5mg0%
Total Carbohydrate2.2g1%
Dietary Fiber0.8g3%
Total Sugars0.0g
Added Sugars0g0%
Sugar Alcohol0.0g
Protein0.4g1%
Vitamin D0mcg0%
Calcium2mg0%
Iron0mg2%
Potassium84mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. These values were calculated and therefore are approximate. For more accuracy, testing is advised.
