Every good cook needs an arsenal of secret ingredients, just a little something that makes other dishes better. For me one of those secret ingredients is homemade guajillo chile sauce. Smokey, earthy and a little tangy I always have a batch of this guajillo sauce on hand to give an extra depth of flavor to any Mexican or Southwestern dish. Whether you make it with the traditional soaking method or using the Instant Pot this guajillo chile sauce will soon be a favorite.
The Casual Foodist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links the Casual Foodist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
What are guajillo chiles?
Guajillo chiles are the dried form of the mirasol pepper and is one of the most popular dried chiles in Mexico. Guajillo chiles are about 3-5 inches long, dark red in color with a leathery skin and should be soft and pliable. Guajillo chiles have a mild spice level (2,500-5,000 Scoville Heat Units) and a deep smoky flavor. They are traditionally toasted and ground into guajillo chile powder or rehydrated to be used in sauces.
How to use guajillo chile sauce
I use this guajillo sauce in a number of Mexican and southwestern dishes including chili, charro beans, black beans and as part of a marinade for pork tacos. Guajillo sauce is also great with enchiladas, mole sauces and salsas. This sauce is great anywhere you’d like to add an extra depth of smokiness (like this smoked pork loin or smoked tri tip), the possibilities are endless!
What can I use instead of guajillo chiles?
If you can’t find guajillo chiles (they are available in major grocery stores, Latin markets or you can also find guajillo chiles online) you can substitute ancho chiles, pasilla negro chiles or cascabel chiles for a similar flavor profile.
How to Make Guajillo Chile Sauce
To make guajillo chile sauce you can prepare it with the traditional soaking method but I prefer using my Instant Pot as I feel the pressure cooker extracts a bit more flavor from the guajillos. For both methods you’ll combine guajillo chiles (stems and seeds removed), water, cumin, dried oregano, garlic, salt and sugar. For the traditional soaking method first heat the water on the stove or with an electric kettle and then cover and soak the chile and spice mixture for 30 minutes or until the chiles are softened. For the Instant Pot add all of the ingredients and pressure cook for 8 minutes, then let natural release for at least 5 minutes then quick release if needed. To finish the sauce transfer everything along with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a larger capacity blender (I adore my Vitamix and use it daily) and blend until smooth. Store your guajillo chile sauce in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for up to a month.
If you like this guajillo chile sauce be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
If you make this Guajillo Chile Sauce please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Guajillo Chile Sauce (Traditional and Instant Pot Methods)
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups water
- 2 oz guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed 5 large or 10 small
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1.5 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Traditional soaking method
- Boil water on the stove or using an electric kettle. Add water, chiles, garlic, salt, sugar, oregano and cumin to a large bowl and cover. Soak for 30 minutes or until chiles are soft.
Instant Pot Method
- Add water, chiles, garlic, salt, sugar, oregano and cumin to the Instant Pot. Pressure cook for 8 minutes, let natural release for at least 5 minutes and then quick release if needed.
To finish the guajillo chile sauce
- Transfer the sauce to a blender along with apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth.
Notes
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Julie says
I can almost smell this sauce! So flavorful
Biana says
Such a great looking sauce! Will be a perfect marinade to make some taco meat in the Instant Pot.
Tara says
Oh yum! This guajillo chile sauce sounds absolutely amazing! I love how you included the instructions for both the traditional soaking method and for the instant pot.
Irina says
I have never made chile sauce myself, but it seems my chance to give it a try! Your recipe sounds delicious and easy to make too. 🙂
Billie Mills says
You simply must use dried chili pods. There are so many great ones, Anchos, Pasillas, Guajillos, Cascabels, Pequins…the list is huge. Each has its own special flavor. Making chili sauce from pods is easy beans! Good luck!
Colleen says
Enchiladas are on our menu this week, and I’m going to make a batch of this sauce for them. It looks so flavorful and delicious!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this really tasty chile sauce! It’s so easy to make and taste delicious! It’s our new favorite and I will really make one again!
Amy says
Such a great recipe! Tried it in the instant pot and turned out perfectly!
Oscar says
Great recipe. Loved this sauce.
Alexandra says
This sauce is delicious with so many things!
michele h peterson says
Love this guajillo sauce on shredded chicken tacos!
Lilly says
I tried the instant pot method and it worked perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth Flight says
Great recipe! Will definitely make again!
Brianna May says
Yum!!
Debra says
So easy and so flavorful!
Allyssa says
Very helpful! It taste amazing and very flavorful! Thank you so much for sharing this homemade guajillo chili sauce! Fam really loves it!
Liz says
I’ve been having so much fun with sauces lately- this one is a new favorite! Thanks for the recipe!
Jere Cassidy says
I love making homemade sauces and we eat Mexican cuisines all the time so this is a perfect recipe to make and keep on hand.
Preston says
You didn’t mention removing the seeds, but I am pretty sure one is supposed to.
Brianna says
I mentioned it in the body of the blog post but you’re right, I didn’t put it in the recipe. Thanks for pointing it out, all fixed 🙂
Linda says
So excited for this chile sauce. It’s flavorful and perfect for tacos
Liz says
I had no idea it was possible to make guajillo chile sauce at home! This is such a great way to amplify my dinner. My husband loves it, too!
Heather says
I’ve always seen these dried peppers at the store but had no idea what to do with them! I love how easy this recipe sounds – YAY for anything that can be made in the IP 🙂 Cannot wait to finally buy those guajillos and give this a try.
veenaazmanov says
Sounds like a great option to stock this sauce so flavorful in my kitchen. I would love to try amazing recipes and treat my family and friends. Thanks.
Ksenia says
We eat A LOT of Mexican food in my house, and I love experimenting with different dried chillies. Can’t wait to put this paste to use!
Erin says
Thanks for including an IP option! I’m doing all the cooking out on the balcony these days (so hot!) so I will be sure to use that method. Can’t wait!
Alex says
I so wish we had those peppers here in Germany! I bet this sauce would be tasty on so many things. And I love that you can freeze it!
Jenny says
Thanks so much for sharing this. I am always looking for great sauces and toppings, and your guajillo chile is amazing. Hubby went bananas over it. I am sure we will be making it frequently.
Adriana says
I am Mexican and homemade guajillo sauce is a must have. Super versatile as can be used beyond enchiladas.
Natalie says
That sauce sounds so good. I think I never tried anything like it before. But now I definitely must make this. The texture is amazing. And I love added cumin. I’m making this for sure.
Amanda Scarlati says
I love making things from scratch and this recipe is so full of flavor!
Alexandra says
So many delicious ways to use this sauce!
Alexa says
Loved it with our homemade tacos!!
Elizabeth Flight says
Such a great recipe! So delicious!
Debra says
Yum. Will be making a double batch next time. We loved it.
Melinda says
This recipe will be perfect with my favorite enchiladas, thanks for sharing!
Addie says
So spicy and flavorful!
Brianna May says
Yum!
Jamie says
This was great on tacos! Loved it!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Wow! This chili sauce was amazing! I loved the flavor that it imparted!
Amy says
This sauce was awesome and the instant pot method is so easy!
Jean says
this is a genius recipe and way better than store bought!
Anaiah says
This guajillo chile sauce came out perfect! I used the instant pot method and it could not be more easy. We’re having this with enchiladas and beans for our dinner. Thank you for this!
Raquel says
So great with enchiladas!
Addie says
Love the instant pot method! So easy!
michele says
Thanks for this! It’s a tasty chile salsa that works well with so many dishes!
Myra says
This sauce is so good I can eat it like soup. I ordered a huge bag of guajillo peppers by mistake. I never used them before. Recipe was so easy. I put them on drumsticks and baked for 30mins at 400 degrees uncovered. Then I put more sauce on and covered with foil. Baked another 30mins at 310 degrees. Came out delicious. Can’t wait to try with other meat dish. Maybe tomorrow.😋
Brianna says
Myra, I’m thrilled you like it! Putting it on drumsticks is a fantastic idea 🙂
Dave Cearley says
The place I first discovered this sauce serves it warm. I routinely have it with their Mexicana Eggs. Love the stuff, took me a while to identify what chilis were used.
Thanks for the recipe.
Jason says
Way way too salty! I’d recommend cutting 1/2 the salt. It makes about 2 cups so 2 tsps per cup is too much imo… Otherwise it’s an easy recipe.
Liz says
Thank you for this! I bought a huge bag of these peppers on a whim. Had no idea what to do with them after I got home. I made your sauce & used it with some homemade chili – FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this up and share it! I used the recipe exactly as you wrote it, but only 1/2 quantity. It exactly fills a small jar! Thank you!
Brianna Simmons says
I’m so glad you liked it! It really is one of those sauces that adds that extra something to whatever you add it to.
Daniel Gomez says
Used Guajillo peppers!! Smokey, sweet and delicious!
Brianna Simmons says
Daniel, that’s great to hear! How will you be using you guajillo sauce?