Cayenne Versus Chili Powder: What’s the Difference?

By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen

Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.

Cayenne and chili powder are both red ground spices but they’re not typically used the same way in cooking. Here, we explore the differences between ground cayenne pepper and chili powder, common uses and whether you can use them interchangeably in recipes.

What Is Ground Cayenne Pepper?

Ground cayenne pepper is a hot, bright orange-red spice that’s made from dried and finely ground cayenne peppers. Cayenne is used in a variety of cuisines; in the U.S., it’s commonly used in Louisiana cookery and is prominent in traditional dishes such as Red Beans and Rice and Gumbo. A pinch of cayenne adds a subtle kick to meat and seafood dishes, as with Roast Pork and Sweet Potatoes or The Best Baked Salmon. Cayenne can also be used to augment flavors both savory, like these Avocado Deviled Eggs, and sweet, as with these Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies.

What Is Ground Red Pepper?

Ground red pepper is made from ground red chilies, often cayenne, but it can include a blend of other red chili peppers too. It can be used to add a kick to a variety of dishes, including sauces, soups, seasoning blends and proteins.

What Is Chili Powder?

Chili powder is a spice blend made with ground red chilis, often including cayenne, as well as spices such as cumin, Mexican oregano, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Chili powder is commonly used in Latin America in dishes such as enchiladas and tacos, and it also adds complexity to a variety of sauces, braised dishes, soups and stews, like our Best Chili or Chili Con Carne.

What Is Pure Chili Powder?

Pure chili powder is made only from dried, finely ground chili peppers and can vary in flavor and heat levels depending on the peppers used. Be sure to read the label and taste before you cook.

Cayenne vs. Chili Powder: What's the Difference?

While cayenne is made from ground up cayenne peppers, chili powder is a spice blend; the two ingredients look and taste different and have different uses.

Ingredients

Ground cayenne pepper is made only with cayenne peppers that have been dried and finely ground into a powder. Chili powder is made with a blend of ground red chilis (sometimes including cayenne) and savory spices such as cumin, paprika, garlic and onion powder, Mexican oregano and salt.

Appearance

Ground cayenne pepper has a bright red hue, whereas chili powder has a darker red hue, owing to the blend of chili peppers and added spices such as cumin.

Flavor

Ground cayenne pepper is much hotter than chili powder. Cayenne peppers are considered a medium-hot chili registering between 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units, which is about 12 times hotter than a jalapeno. Chili powder isn’t as hot as cayenne, since it’s made with a blend of red peppers (which can include cayenne, as well less spicy peppers) and its heat is tempered by the addition of savory spices.

Can You Use Ground Cayenne Pepper and Chili Powder Interchangeably?

No, in general, ground cayenne pepper and chili powder shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Ground cayenne pepper is much spicier than chili powder, and works best to add a bright, peppery heat to a dish or to augment other flavors, like this Baked Macaroni and Cheese or these Curried Chicken Thighs. Chili powder is best used in dishes where you want a more subtle kick and there are other earthy, savory flavors at play, as with these Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken “Enchiladas” or this Instant Pot Tex-Mex Beef Stew (pictured above).

In a pinch, you could swap in cayenne for chili powder, but you’ll need to account for adding in spices such as cumin, garlic or onion powder and salt, and adjust the quantity of cayenne to taste depending on desired heat levels.

Since cayenne pepper is also used to enhance desserts, as with these Brownie Sundaes with Cinnamon-Cayenne Whipped Cream, you wouldn’t want to substitute chili powder for cayenne in dishes with sweet flavor profiles.