Homemade Kashmiri Chili Powder

5 from 6 votes

Homemade Kashmiri Chili Powder

Making your own Kashmiri chili powder is a great way to add a unique, bold flavor to your cooking. This fiery red powder comes from dried Kashmiri chilies, which are known for their complex heat and rich, fruity taste.

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Course: Spices

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: jar

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Elle John

Ingredients

50 Fresh or Dried Kashmiri Chili I am using dried chili

Instructions

Preparing:

To start making Kashmiri chili powder, wash and clean the chili peppers thoroughly with water to remove any dirt.
After washing them, let them dry in the sunlight to remove any excess moisture content.
The above step of drying is essential as it prevents mold growth when storing the chili powder later on. However, if you're using dried chiles, you can skip this step.
Once the chili peppers are entirely dry, lightly roast them in a pan without oil for a few minutes.
Roasting them will remove any remaining moisture inside the chili peppers and enhance their flavor. Be sure to watch them closely as you don't want them to burn; they should turn dark red but not black.
After roasting, let them cool down for a few minutes before the next step.

Grinding:

Next, grind the roasted chili peppers into a fine powder using either a spice grinder, blender, or mortar and pestle.
If using a spice grinder or blender, it would be best to do it in small batches to ensure they are ground evenly.
Be sure to wear gloves when handling the ground powder, as it can easily stain your skin. Once ground, sift the powder to remove any coarse debris.
You can store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
Use this spice anywhere you would typically use chili powder, from marinades to seasoning meats, stews, and curries.

Notes

For a more robust flavor, add a small amount of cumin, coriander, and cloves to the mix and add them while roasting. These spices complement the chili peppers and add depth to the overall flavor of the powder.

Nutrition