Use this easy and inexpensive homemade chipotle seasoning recipe to add flavor and a smoky heat to all of your favorite foods.
If there is anything I love, it’s really good food. But.. I also love a really authentic chipotle seasoning. It’s essential for my homemade tamales that I make around the holidays. I also like to add it to my ground beef, shredded chicken, and even sprinkled on an egg salad sandwich.
Chipotle chiles are dried and smoked jalapeños. When you grind them to a powder, they are a great way to add a flavor boost to your food.
Making your own chipotle powder is not only easy, it’s inexpensive.
If you don’t smoke & dry your own jalapeños, you can find dried chipotles in the latin market in your area. Bags are relatively inexpensive for just a few dollars each – one bag is sufficient to make a single jar of powder.
My favorite chipotles are El Molcajete Brand, you can buy them on Amazon.
They run a bit more than what you’ll find in the Mexican market but nothing compares.. they have a smoky, sweet chocolatey flavor that you won’t find anywhere else.
Homemade Chipotle Seasoning Recipe
To make a simple chipotle chili powder (6-7 Tbsp), you’ll want to use 6-8 chipotle peppers. Remove the stems from the chipotles and cut into small pieces.
Over medium heat, put the pieces in a pan with the cumin seeds and peppercorn and dry toast for a few minutes. Dry toasting is not required, but it helps draw out more flavors and aromas.
Take the pan off the heat and cool for a few minutes.
Add the cooled ingredients to your grinder (I have a Mr. Coffee electric grinder that works very well) and finely grind into a powder. Sieve into a bowl.
Add the rest of the spices – cayenne, garlic powder, smoked paprika and onion. You’ll want to store the chipotle chili powder in an airtight jar away from sunlight – in a pantry is your best option.
Use this DIY Chipotle Chili Seasoning to add flavor and a smoky heat to your favorite foods.
Ingredients
- 8 chipotle chile peppers, dried
- 1 Tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt (can also use regular salt if you don't have kosher salt)
- 4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Remove the stems from the chipotles and cut into small pieces.
- Over medium heat, put the pieces in a pan with the cumin seeds and peppercorn and dry toast for a few minutes. Dry toasting is not required, but it helps draw out more flavors and aromas.
- Take the pan off the heat and cool for a few minutes.
- Add the cooled ingredients to your grinder and finely grind into a powder.
- Sieve into a bowl.
- Add the rest of the spices - cayenne, garlic powder, smoked paprika and onion.
- Store the chipotle chili powder in an airtight jar away from sunlight (your pantry is the best option).

There’s something about layering spices that gives the chipotle chile powder such a beautiful visual appeal. Simply clean out an old spice jar and use it to store your chipotle chile powder.
I like to layer the ingredients by pouring the chipotle powder in first, then working to add each additional ingredient. I always give it a good shake before using.
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