Step up your chip and dip game with this Mexican guajillo chile salsa. Using dried chile guajillo peppers means you can have tasty salsa all year round. Slightly sweet and smoky, this salsa pairs wonderfully with pork!
How to make Guajillo Chile Salsa
Hi guys! Just popping in with a really quick and simple recipe today – Salsa de Chile Guajillo. Easy to make, yet full of flavor – as always!
If you’re like me, you love chips and salsa. They should probably be in a food group all by themselves!
Crunchy chips plus fresh salsa is one addicting combo. I can eat a whole bag by myself once I get started.
Usually my go-to salsa is a basic tomato and jalapeño “restaurant style salsa” blended nice and smooth.
This winter, however, it has been more difficult than usual to get fresh jalapeños with full flavor.
So I turned to the dried pepper section where I picked up some ancho and guajillo chiles.
Ancho chile has a spicy, slightly bitter taste, but guajillo chiles on the other hand are somewhat sweet and not as spicy.
What are guajillo chiles used for?
Besides this salsa, they’re often used to flavor other sauces such red sauce for tamales, enchiladas, or mole. They’re also tasty in soups and stews.
To my salsa, I added a teaspoon of brown sugar to highlight the sweet notes and tone down the acidity of the tomatoes.
Depending on the freshness of your tomatoes, you may not need it at all.
I rely on canned tomatoes during the winter months. If you like extra heat to your salsa, you can punch it up with some cayenne powder.
Blended into a smooth puree with garlic and onion, guajillo chile salsa is a fresh way to add variety to your salsa repertoire.
What is a good substitute for guajillo chiles?
If you can’t find chile guajillo or want to experiment with other dried peppers, chile de arbol is a good substitute.
This salsa is excellent with pork and, of course, tortilla chips. Or, try it on top of my Papas con Huevos (potato and egg tacos)!
Tip: When blending the chiles, I only add one tomato to give it extra moisture, then I add the rest of the tomatoes at the end.
I’ve found that when using a high-powered blender, if you add all the tomatoes at once, your salsa can turn quite soupy and foamy.
As a bonus recipe, make some awesome nachos using shredded roasted pork from leftover Puerto Rican Pernil (roast pork) Colby-Jack cheese, black beans, sour cream and plenty of guajillo chile salsa!

Mexican Guajillo Chile Salsa
Slightly sweet and smoky salsa with dried guajillo chiles. Great with pork dishes or chips for dipping!
Ingredients
- 4 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 2 tablespoons onion, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 can (14.5oz) whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained (about 4-5 tomatoes)
- Salt and pepper
Spencer
Thursday 9th of January 2025
Yeah this was not good. It comes out tasting like tomato paste with a bitter kick at the end.
David
Wednesday 25th of April 2018
Decided to experiment beyond regular tomato salsa and this was good! Not too hot but nice flavor from the peppers. I'll have to try other chile soon.