Smoky and earthy, chipotle powder has a mild spice with complex heat that does not overpower the dish. Similar in nature to smoked paprika, the spice is made from smoked jalapeños that are especially delicious with grilled or barbecued meats.
Dominantly sourced from Mexico, chipotle powder is often used in Mexican food recipes including burritos, tacos, tortilla soup, and enchilada.
What to eat with chipotle powder? Chipotle powder is served as a seasoning to rub on barbecued and grilled meats, Mexican chicken or tortilla soup, blended with mayonnaise for dipping sauce, chili, quesadillas, and many other Latin dishes.
Even though it has unique and bold flavor, chipotle powder pairs well with mango, corn, beans, cheese, sour cream, beef, white fish, and various condiments.
With its unique blend of warm, smoky flavors and hot chilies, chipotle powder is an excellent addition to dishes such as stews and salsas.
In addition, it can even compliment sweet desserts like cookies for the ultimate sweet-and-spicy flavor! That’s why it’s so versatile and can work in many different dishes. But how is chipotle powder incorporated into meals? Keep reading to find out!
Is chipotle powder the same as chili powder?
No, chipotle powder is not the same as chili powder. In fact, the spice tastes more smoky with intense heat compared to chili powder, which is just ground-up mild flavored chilies.
The three varieties include regular chipotle, adobo-flavored chipotle, and sweet chipotle with added sugar. Regular chipotle powder is made by smoking and drying jalapeños, which makes the flavor of the spice extremely intense.
On the other hand, chili powder is made from a blend of spices including ground chilis that may be mixed with other spices like garlic powder, cumin and oregano. It has moderate heat with some fruity undertones.
As you can see, one is spicy, and the other is a mixture of flavors. However, the heat level in chipotle pepper products can vary widely depending on the manufacturer and growing region.
What goes well with chipotle powder?
Chipotle powder works well with both sweet and savory dishes. It complements the sweetness of fruits like pineapple and mangoes, while simultaneously contrasting nicely with meats like beef, lamb, and chicken.
This spice can be used to season almost anything such as grilled meats and sautéed vegetables, stews, and chili. It can even be used in foods like soups, sauces, dips, salsa and even baked goods need a little heat once in a while.
The great thing about chipotle powder is that it’s incredibly versatile and can work in pretty much anything! Nevertheless, it blends well with other spices and flavors to create a delicious combination.
Sprinkle on eggs for breakfast or even added to a dessert recipe for an extra kick. However, the bold smokiness of the spice may not be for everyone.
Here are a list of ingredients that specifically work with chipotle powder:
- Fruits: pineapple, mango, jicama, lime, lemon
- Vegetables: sweet potato, bell pepper, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, corn, green beans
- Legumes: pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans
- Cheese: Colby cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar, jack
- Dairy: sour cream
- Meat: beef, pork, chicken, lamb, eggs, sausage
- Seafood: mahi mahi, salmon, shrimp, white fish
- Spices: cumin, chili pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
- Condiments: olive oil, sea salt, brown sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup
What flavor goes well with chipotle powder?
Chipotle works well with other Mexican flavors such as cumin, coriander, garlic, onions, and chili peppers. Citrus fruits like lemon and lime are also popular companions for chipotle powder, and try adding zest to dishes for added brightness.
Tomatoes are another classic option since the acidity in the fruit helps balance the smoky flavor of chipotle powder. Chipotle is one of those spices that can take a dish from good to great.
The smoky, spicy flavor of chipotle powder is a bit intense, so it’s best to use sparingly.
Thanks to its smoky flavor, the powder is a great way to add extra oomph to meat dishes. It works exceptionally well with beef and pork, but many also like to use the spice with chicken and seafood.
Here are classic flavors to try with chipotle powder:
- chipotle powder + olive oil + lime juice + mayonnaise
- chipotle powder + red kidney beans + ground turkey + tomato sauce
- chipotle powder + brown sugar + cayenne pepper + garlic powder
- chipotle powder + deviled eggs
- chipotle powder + enchilada sauce
Eat with Chipotle Powder: Conclusion
Chipotle powder is a delicious spice that adds smoky, spicy, and salty flavors to many dishes. However, as with most condiments, it is not good to eat alone.
The spice is commonly found in authentic Mexican cuisine including tortilla soup, barbecue meats, sauce, chili, quesadilla, and burritos.
With numerous spices, it can be confusing with chili powder and chipotle powder.
Chipotle powder is smoked and dried jalapeños, where as chili powder is made from ground chilis mixed with other spices. As a result, chipotle powder has smoky and spicy flavor that adds a lot more spiciness to the dish than chili powder.
From savory soups to main entree, there are various ways to utilize chipotle powder. Be creative and try adding chipotle powder to chocolate pudding, cake, and brownies to enjoy a hint of flavor at anytime.
Pairing chipotle powder with the right ingredients will unlock its full potential and provide more creative culinary options for you to explore.