Are you ready to add some heat to your pantry? Cayenne powder is an incredibly versatile ingredient that is used in a variety of dishes. Whether it is added to a marinade, blended into a sauce, or sprinkled onto cooked dishes, cayenne powder is an excellent way to add flavor and spice to your meals. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of how to make your own cayenne powder.
This past garden season, I planted only one cayenne pepper plant as I was not quite sure on what to do with this pepper. I was grown up on food that was kind of bland (no flavor). Greg has been opening my eyes to the extensive world of spices and herbs. This past summer was our first garden at our place and I added some pepper plants knowing I would have to figure out what to do with them when they ripen.
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Shopping For Ingredients
To make homemade cayenne powder, you will need the following items:
- Cayenne peppers
- Pestle and Mortar, food processor, or blender
- Jar to store when done
- Gloves (optional)
- Mask/Face Covering (optional)
Preparing The Cayenne Powder
Start by picking off the red peppers from the plant (and the green ones that have started drying out already). As always when working with peppers, wear gloves (as they can burn if you touch your face or other areas).
I usually let these sit on my counter on a plate for a couple of days. They are ready when they are very dry and snap when you bend it.
Once you have a decent amount that are crunchy, pick the caps off (the top of the pepper that was attached to the plant), and toss the peppers in the mortar. When grinding, be careful to not make to much powder that comes out the top as it can hurt to breathe it in, or wear a mask/face covering. I then use the pestle to smoosh and grind the peppers to a powder.
Finalizing And Storing The Cayenne Powder
Alternatively, you can run them through a food processor or blender to speed things up. Now this is all about your preference on how finely you want it ground (or how long you can keep grinding). This process may take little while depending on your preference.
Once you have the powder ground to your liking, carefully put it in a sealable jar (I use old canning jars). Once you are all done pouring, place the lid on, and place in your pantry or cupboard.
Make sure to label it so you don’t mistake it for something else!
Cayenne Powder Is Finished!
Making your own cayenne powder is a great way to add freshness and flavor to your meals. Whether you are cooking a dish for yourself or preparing a feast for a large gathering, cayenne powder is a great way to add heat and complexity to your dishes. With just a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make your own cayenne powder for your pantry.
I like to use this for making homemade taco seasoning! Greg likes using it for his meats when he smokes/grills, and his barbeque sauce.
Now that you know how to make your own cayenne powder, get creative in your kitchen and start spicing up your dishes! Share your favorite cayenne recipes in the comments section below.
Homemade Cayenne Powder
Equipment
- Gloves optional
- Mask/Face Covering optional
- Food Processor/Blender/Pestle and Mortar
- Jar for storage
Ingredients
- Cayenne Peppers Dried
Instructions
- Remove the caps (the top of the pepper that was attached to the plant).
- Place dried peppers in food processor, blender, or mortar.
- Grind peppers to your liking. (Wear mask/face covering to reduce amount inhaled.)
- Carefully put powder it in a sealable jar (I use old canning jars).
- Label the jar (so it doesn't get mistaken for something else).
