America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

New Mexican Chile Rub

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on March 25, 2014

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Makes about 2/3 cup; enough for 3 pounds steak

New Mexican Chile Rub

Ingredients

2 dried New Mexican chiles, stemmed, seeded, and flesh torn into ½-inch pieces4 teaspoons cumin seeds 4 teaspoons coriander seeds ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon black peppercorns 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon paprika ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 tablespoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Before You Begin

For a spicy rub, substitute 2 dried chipotle chiles for the New Mexican chiles.

Instructions

  1. Toast chiles, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, and peppercorns in 10-inch skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until just beginning to smoke, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to plate to cool, about 5 minutes. Grind spices in spice grinder or in mortar with pestle until coarsely ground. Transfer spices to bowl and stir in sugar, paprika, cloves, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.
New Mexican Chile Rub
Styling by Marie Piraino.

New Mexican Chile Rub

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

20 minutes

Yield

Makes about 2/3 cup; enough for 3 pounds steak

Ingredients

2 dried New Mexican chiles, stemmed, seeded, and flesh torn into ½-inch pieces
4 teaspoons cumin seeds
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredients

2 dried New Mexican chiles, stemmed, seeded, and flesh torn into ½-inch pieces
4 teaspoons cumin seeds
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Ingredients

2 dried New Mexican chiles, stemmed, seeded, and flesh torn into ½-inch pieces
4 teaspoons cumin seeds
4 teaspoons coriander seeds
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Why This Recipe Works

We made our own coarsely ground rub based on toasted whole spices and dried chiles. By grinding our own spices, instead of using store-bought ground spices, we created a rub with much deeper flavor.

Before You Begin

For a spicy rub, substitute 2 dried chipotle chiles for the New Mexican chiles.

Instructions

  1. Toast chiles, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, and peppercorns in 10-inch skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until just beginning to smoke, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to plate to cool, about 5 minutes. Grind spices in spice grinder or in mortar with pestle until coarsely ground. Transfer spices to bowl and stir in sugar, paprika, cloves, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.