How to Rehydrate Dried Chili Peppers

Learn how to easily rehydrate dried chili peppers for a number of different recipes and applications.

Rehydrating dried chili peppers is simple, and a great way to incorporate chili peppers into your meal. Dried chili peppers offer up HUGE, MASSIVE flavor, and they deliver in a way that fresh chili peppers don't.

The process of drying them changes and intensifies their flavors, deepening them, which all goes into your final dish. Dried peppers can be ground to powders for widely used seasoning blends, but when you rehydrate them, you can incorporate them into sauces, soups, stews and so much more for tastes you will never forget.

How to Rehydrate Dried Chili Peppers - The Method

While you can simple toss them into hot water and let them steep, a better way is as follows:

1. Scoop out the insides of the dried pods with a knife. You can do this step after they are rehydrated, but I like to trim it out while dry. If you find this difficult, scoop out the innards later.
2. Heat a large pan to medium-high heat and dry roast the peppers about 30-60 seconds per side. They will become slightly puffy and fragrant. This step is optional.
3. Set peppers into an oven proof bowl and pour boiling water over them. Use just enough to cover the peppers. Cover and allow to sit 15-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your peppers.
4. Remove from water and use as needed.

NOTE: The water used to rehydrate the peppers is useful. Nutrients from the peppers will seep into the water, so save the water for your recipe if you'd like.

Why Dry Toast the Peppers Before Rehydrating Them? Is it Necessary?

Toasting the chili peppers before you rehydrate them is not required, but lightly toasting them in a dry pan will help to release the oils from the chili pepper skins, adding another layer of flavor to your finished meal.

Give it a try and see if it makes a difference if your recipe.

Try These Popular Recipes That Use Rehydrated Chili Peppers

• Homemade Harissa
• Ancho-Guajillo Chili Paste

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations. Thanks! -- Mike H.

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How to Rehydrate Dried Chili Peppers - Recipe and Instructions

Learn how to easily rehydrate dried chili peppers for a number of different recipes and applications. Rehydrating dried chili peppers is simple, and a great way to incorporate chili peppers into your meal. While you can simple toss them into hot water and let them steep, a better way is as follows:

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dehydrator, dried peppers

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Calories: 146kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 10

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4.91 from 10 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 pound chili peppers dried

Instructions

• Scoop out the insides of the dried pods with a knife. You can do this step after they are rehydrated, but I like to trim it out while dry. If you find this difficult, scoop out the innards later.
• Heat a large pan to medium-high heat and dry roast the peppers about 30-60 seconds per side. They will become slightly puffy and fragrant.
• Set peppers into an oven proof bowl and pour boiling water over them. Use just enough to cover the peppers. Cover and allow to sit 15-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your peppers.
• Remove from water and use as needed.

Video

Notes

NOTE: The water used to rehydrate the peppers is useful. Nutrients from the peppers will seep into the water, so save the water for your recipe if you'd like.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 146kcal   Carbohydrates: 31g   Protein: 4g   Fat: 2g   Sodium: 41mg   Potassium: 848mg   Fiber: 13g   Sugar: 18g   Vitamin A: 12015IU   Vitamin C: 14.3mg   Calcium: 20mg   Iron: 2.7mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.