Homemade Ground Cayenne Recipe: Turn Fresh Peppers Into a Spicy Cayenne Pepper Powder by Donna John

Spices
2 years ago

Homemade Ground Cayenne Recipe: Turn Fresh Peppers Into a Spicy Cayenne Pepper Powder

This is my first year growing peppers, and a lesson learned pretty quickly is that you will be overloaded with cayenne peppers. They grow in abundance and they grow fast! Not knowing what to do with my harvest, someone suggested making homemade cayenne pepper powder. Use this DIY spice on chicken, pork, seafood, vegetables, eggs or in gumbo, creole dishes or anything you want to add a little kick to. Don't grow peppers? You can buy peppers already dried in bulk.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: Varies depending on drying method
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: Varies

Ingredients

Here's how to make it: 

1. The peppers must be completely dry to turn them into a powder. Here are your options for drying the peppers:

  • Allow to dry naturally. This will take a while. 
  • Use a food dehydrator.
  • Dry in the oven.
  • Lay in the sun and allow to dry.

If drying in the oven, cut off the stems (wear  gloves!) and lay on a baking sheet or wire baking rack. Place in a 125- to 175- degree F oven until dry (this may take several hours depending on freshness and size).

If drying in a  food dehydrator, cut off the stems and follow the manufacturer's directions.

If drying in the sun, lay them on a kitchen towel where they will get direct sun. This will take several hours depending on size and freshness. This method is mainly for hot, summer months. Make sure kids and pets can't get their hands (or paws) on them. 

If drying naturally, just ignore them until they are dried out. (This was the method I used after mine started drying because I had so many. I finished drying in the oven.)

2. If you haven't already, cut off the stems.

3. Cut the peppers into smaller pieces using  kitchen shears.

4. Put into a spice/coffee grinder.

5. Pulse until they turn into a powder.

6. Pour through a  mesh strainer, if desired, to remove any large pieces.

7. Store in an airtight container or  spice jar.

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Elisa Schmitz
Oh my goodness, Donna John , this is amazing. You inspire me!
Donna John
Aw, shucks. Thank you. lol It was pretty simple. Though I have impressed myself by growing so many peppers. Addictive to growing them and have BIG plans next year. #pepperfarmer Elisa A. Schmitz 30Seconds
Elisa Schmitz
That is very cool, Donna John . I love your photos. Makes it so easy to follow along and try it myself!
Tribe
What a great project!
bepositive
That’s hot! 🔥
Donna John
It is a lot hotter than what you buy at the store. Tastes fresher, too. Have more drying now and am going to make them into red pepper flakes.
Donna John
I've made so many different kinds of this power. Taste so much fresher and vibrant those premade spice mixes. I like to make different combinations by using a variety of peppers: habanero, tabasco, jalapeno, serrano, cayenne. Sometimes I'll throw a sweet pepper in the mix, too.

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