Sweet Chili Powder is also called sweet chili seasoning, sweet chili spice, or spicy sweet chili seasoning.
 

What is Sweet Chili Powder

Typical chili powder is simply a blend of the spices commonly used in Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. The base spices used are commonly ancho chile powder, cumin, paprika, and Mexican oregano. Depending on the brand other spices like cayenne, coriander, garlic powder, and onion powder may also be included. Sweet Chili Powder is a different from most other chili powders as it possesses a light touch of sweetness from cinnamon and some subtle molasses notes from demerara sugar. The chile powders used in this blend are on the mild side of the heat scale.
 

History of Chili Powder

Like many seasoning blends chili powder has a colorful back story. Some food historians believe that the first bowl of chili was created in the early 1800's just outside of Laramie, Wyoming on a cattle drive. Other food historians have a darker tale to tell of how Aztecs, who had been waging a war with invading Spanish conquistadors, would cut up the captured Spaniards they had defeated in battle, season them with a variety of spicy chile peppers, and eat them. This was not only considered normal, but was likely viewed as a great honor.

William Gebhardt created the first commercial blend of chili powder in the U.S. in 1894 with his signature chili con carne. Gebhardt owned a saloon in New Braunfels, Texas and his chili was the town's favorite dish. The chile peppers that Gebhardt used in making his chili were only available seasonally so he was not able to make this best-selling dish year round. As any enterprising small businessman would do, he made the trek down to Mexico, found a group of chile farmers who could supply him with Ancho Chiles and started importing them. He processed the chile peppers into a powder through a small meat grinder.
 

What does Sweet Chili Powder Taste Like

Earthy flavor with a mild heat and some sweet undertones.
 

How do You use Sweet Chili Powder

Most commonly used to season chili or chili con carne and is also used to season Latin dishes such as enchiladas and tacos. Add this versatile seasoning to beans, casseroles, meatloaf, pasta, sauces, soups, stews, and vegetables. As a rub it works well with grilled chicken or slow-cooked pork shoulder.

One of our customers tells us that "the sweeter flavor is perfect when they want a chili for chili dogs, chili burgers or when the grand kids come over for chili". Two of our favorite recipes using Sweet Chili Powder are Sweet Chickpea Chili in Slow Cooker and Mexican Stir Fry.

What can I Substitute for Sweet Chili Powder

The best substitute for Sweet Chili Powder is Taco Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, or Creole Seasoning and add a little bit of cinnamon or sugar to pick up the additional sweet flavor.

 

Hungry for More Information

The Best Peppers for Chili
What are the Best Chili Spices?
A Spicy Guide to New Mexican Cuisine
Roots of American Cuisine