Flavorful Guajillo Chili Sauce

Guajillo Chili Sauce is a flavorful Mexican creation made from dried guajillo peppers, prized for their deep red hue and smoky, slightly sweet taste.

With subtle earthy undertones and a mild heat, this sauce captivates the senses with its rich aroma and smooth consistency.

Celebrated for its balance of boldness and delicacy, it embodies the vibrant culinary traditions of Mexico, offering a distinctive and memorable flavor experience.

How To Make Guajillo Chili Sauce?

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Soaking Time: 15–20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: About 2 cups

Equipment Needed

• Medium saucepan or skillet
• Blender or food processor
• Strainer (optional, if you prefer smooth sauce)
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons & cups

Ingredients

• 6–8 dried guajillo peppers, stemmed and seeded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups warm chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (or ground cumin)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Guajillo Peppers

Keep peppers in a hot water bowl and cover them for about 15–20 minutes until they are softened. Drain them, reserving a bit of the soaking liquid, and set aside.

2. Build the Flavor Base

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast them for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sliced onion and garlic cloves, cooking until golden and softened.

3. Blend into a Smooth Sauce

Transfer the softened guajillo peppers, sautéed onion and garlic, vinegar, sugar, oregano, and warm broth into a blender. Blend until smooth and silky, adding a splash of the pepper soaking liquid if the sauce feels too thick.

4. Simmer and Season

Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet. Simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste and adjust the consistency with extra broth if needed.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Let the sauce rest for a few minutes to deepen in flavor. Use it as a marinade, spoon it over grilled meats, or serve it alongside roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts Of Guajillo Chili Sauce

For reference, 2 tablespoons

• Calories: 27 kcal
• Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrate: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg

Which Goes Best With Guajillo Chili Sauce?

❖ Tacos and Burritos: Drizzle this sauce over tacos or burritos for a smoky, tangy kick that enhances the fillings.

❖ Grilled Meats: Brush it over grilled chicken, steak, or pork as a marinade or finishing sauce to add depth of flavor.

❖ Roasted Vegetables: Toss roasted or grilled vegetables with the sauce for a bold, zesty twist.

❖ Dipping Sauce: Serve as a dip for tortilla chips, empanadas, or quesadillas.

❖ Rice and Beans: Mix into rice or spoon over beans to add warmth and smokiness to simple sides.

Tips & Variations

✔ Adjust the Heat: Remove all seeds for a milder sauce, or leave some seeds in for extra spiciness.

✔ Use Different Liquids: Swap chicken or vegetable broth with water, tomato juice, or even beer for unique flavor variations.

✔ Different Herbs: Try adding smoked paprika, chipotle, or fresh cilantro to enhance the depth of flavor.

✔ Store and Preserve: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze in ice cube trays for individual portions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Guajillo Chili Sauce stands out for its rich, smoky flavor and vibrant color, reflecting the essence of Mexican culinary artistry.

Its balanced taste and smooth texture make it a remarkable creation, celebrated for adding depth and character, and embodying the tradition and passion behind authentic Mexican cuisine.

Flavorful Guajillo Chili Sauce

Guajillo Chili Sauce is a smooth, vibrant blend made from dried guajillo peppers, garlic, onion, and aromatic spices. With its rich red color and tangy, mildly smoky taste, it highlights the depth of Mexican culinary traditions while offering a balance of warmth and subtle complexity in every spoonful.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 8

Calories 27 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan or skillet
• Blender or food processor
• Strainer (optional, if you prefer smooth sauce)
• Knife and cutting board
• Measuring spoons & cups

Ingredients

  

• 6 –8 dried guajillo peppers stemmed and seeded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic peeled
• 1 medium onion peeled and sliced
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups warm chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds or ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano Mexican oregano preferred

Instructions

 

• Keep peppers in a hot water bowl and cover them for about 15–20 minutes until they are softened. Drain them, reserving a bit of the soaking liquid, and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast them for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sliced onion and garlic cloves, cooking until golden and softened.
• Transfer the softened guajillo peppers, sautéed onion and garlic, vinegar, sugar, oregano, and warm broth into a blender. Blend until smooth and silky, adding a splash of the pepper soaking liquid if the sauce feels too thick.
• Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet. Simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste and adjust the consistency with extra broth if needed.
• Let the sauce rest for a few minutes to deepen in flavor. Use it as a marinade, spoon it over grilled meats, or serve it alongside roasted vegetables.

Keyword Flavorful Guajillo Chili Sauce

Brazen

Welcome to Arora’s Sauce Recipe, where every drop tells a story of tradition, innovation, and a boundless love for culinary arts. My name is Brazen, and I am the founder and chief sauce creator at Arora’s Kitchen. Born into a family with a rich heritage of culinary arts, I grew up surrounded by the aromas of spices and the sounds of simmering pots, which ignited my passion for cooking from a young age.
Inspired by generations of culinary expertise, I embarked on a professional quest to capture these fleeting aromas and flavors in bottles of sauce that could bring a gourmet experience to every meal.
As the founder of Arora’s Sauce Recipe, my mission is to inspire your culinary adventures with the finest sauces. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, our sauces are crafted to elevate your cooking with every spoonful.
Thank you for choosing Arora’s Sauce Recipe. Here’s to a journey filled with flavor, passion, and unforgettable meals.