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What Are Dried Red Chilies?
Dried red chilies, hailing from the Sichuan region, are red chili pods dried in the sun to create a spicy and sweet flavor. Don’t underestimate the flavor when it comes to these dried chilies. While they may be small in size, they pack in a ton of flavor and, most importantly, loads of heat.
Dried red chilies are essential when it comes to Chinese cooking. The small red peppers are a staple ingredient in many signature dishes, especially in Sichuan cuisine. The chilies are also incorporated into many other dishes to create dipping sauces, hot pots, oils, and hot sauces.
Now, these chilies aren’t for those who prefer their food on the mild side. While they are not overbearing to eat, they do fall on the spicier side when it comes to heat. The chilies add more flavor than an overwhelming spice to the dishes they are in. They also have a bold fragrance and pair extremely well with other aromatic spices, like garlic and ginger. Adding in the spice is a great way to balance out flavors in any dish.
How To Use Dried Red Chilies
When chilies are dried, the flavor changes, becoming deeper and more intense. The depth of flavor that comes with the dried chilies makes them perfect to add to a variety of dishes, both as a component and a topping.
Dried red chilies can be used in a surprising amount of ways. Each method finds a different way to highlight the flavor of the spicy pepper.
- Rehydrating. Rehydrating dried chilies brings them back to life in a very simple process. By rehydrating them, it creates more options for use. When rehydrated, the chilies can be added directly into soups, stews, marinades, and more. To rehydrate them, scoop out the seeds of the pods and place them in a heatproof bowl. Then, pour boiling water on the chilies and let them sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Grinding. Grinding the chilies into a powder allows them to be used directly as a spice. To grind the peppers down, remove the seeds and use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle to break the chilies down to a fine powder.
- Frying. Frying the dried red chilies is a great way to bring out texture and flavor all at the same time. The chilies are fried directly in the pan, often with other aromatics like garlic and ginger, to start the base of the dish.
How To Cook With Dried Chilies
Dried red chiles are used to add a punch of flavor to whatever you are cooking. Think of them like cayenne, jalapeños, or ancho chile peppers. They are incorporated into a dish to add heat as a flavor and to not overwhelm it with spice. Here are some recipes that incorporate dried red chilies:
- Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
- Singapore Chow Mei Fun
- Cabbage Stir Fry With Shrimp And Dried Chilies
- Kung Pao Chicken
Where To Buy Dried Red Chilies
If you are looking to buy dried red chilies, your best bet is to head to your local Asian food market. If you don’t have one local to you, buying the chilies online, such as here on Amazon, is always an option as well.
When purchasing chilies, look for the ones that look extra shiny and pliable. You don’t want your chilies to be fragile and break easily.
Storage
Depending on how you buy the chilies, you may need to transfer them into a different container to keep them fresh and fragrant. Store the chiles in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Keep them away from heat and any direct light to help keep the flavors intense.
Since the chilies are dried, they will last a long time (as long as they are stored correctly). The chilies will stay fresh in an airtight container for 6-12 months.
Substitute For Dried Red Chilies
Nothing will replace the true heat of traditional dried red chilies, but there are many options if you find yourself out of the hot peppers. Peppers like chile de arbol, Thai chilies, or chipotle peppers will work in a pinch. Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper will also work as a stand-in.
Pastes like gochujang and sambal oelek also are great to add to dishes if you are looking to replicate the heat of dried red chilies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dried red chilies are hot but manageable. The peppers tend to have a medium spice. If you are looking for a more mild spice but still want the flavor of the pepper, remove the seeds before adding the dried peppers to the dish. The seeds and the membrane are what hold the majority of the spice when it comes to peppers.
It will depend on what you are making if you need to soak the chilies or not. If you are making a sauce, marinade, or stew, it is more common for the chilies to be soaked and rehydrated for smooth incorporation into the recipe.
Dried red chilies can be used both whole or cut up. When they are used whole, the spice level is decreased. When a more intense flavor is wanted in the final preparation of the dish, the chilies are typically chopped and broken up.
