How to Rehydrate Chile de Arbol

Learn how to prepare and rehydrate chile de arbol! You can use them in a variety of Mexican recipes, like enchiladas, pozole rojo, and more.

4.98 from 42 votes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Cooking Tip, How-to

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Mexican, Vegan

Servings 1 serving

Calories 324 kcal

Using kitchen shears, cut off the stems of the chiles. Remove the seeds by rubbing the chiles together between your fingers and discard.
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium, then dry toast them for ~60 seconds, stirring frequently, or until fragrant.
Bring a saucepan of water to boil, then turn the heat off, add the arbol chiles, cover the pot, and let the chiles rehydrate for 10-15 minutes until they feel soft and pliable.
Your arbol chiles are now ready to be used in a variety of Mexican salsas or enchilada recipes.

The weight used in this recipe is an example only. The amount needed will depend on the size of the recipe.

You can reserve the soaking water to use in recipes, but some people find it bitter, so always taste it first.

Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.

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