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Chile Infused Oil

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

30 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling and 24 hours infusing

Yield

Makes about 3 cups

Chile Infused Oil

Ingredients

3 cups canola oil ¼ cup hot red chile (crushed and dried)

Before You Begin

Although canola oil is called for in the recipe, corn, peanut or olive oil will also work well.

Instructions

  1. Combine oil and crushed hot chile in a non-corrosive, heavy-bottomed pan. Starting on the lowest heat possible, bring oil temperature to 140 degrees (use a deep-fry or candy thermometer), and maintain temperature for 10 minutes as oil weakly bubbles.
  2. Carefully transfer oil to heat-proof bowl and cool to room temperature. Let sit for at least 1 day before using. Pour into a clean, tightly sealed glass jar and refrigerate. Use within 1 month.
Chile Infused Oil

Chile Infused Oil

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling and 24 hours infusing

Yield

Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients

3 cups canola oil
¼ cup hot red chile (crushed and dried)

Ingredients

3 cups canola oil
¼ cup hot red chile (crushed and dried)

Ingredients

3 cups canola oil
¼ cup hot red chile (crushed and dried)

Why This Recipe Works

For our infused oil recipes, we started with a neutral base of canola oil. Then we used either the hot- or cold-infusion method, depending on the spice or herb; for example, ginger, chile peppers, and peppercorns needed heat to activate their flavors. For hot infusions, we heated the oil to just 140 degrees, which was hot enough to release the flavors but low enough to keep them from turning bitter.

Before You Begin

Although canola oil is called for in the recipe, corn, peanut or olive oil will also work well.

Instructions

  1. Combine oil and crushed hot chile in a non-corrosive, heavy-bottomed pan. Starting on the lowest heat possible, bring oil temperature to 140 degrees (use a deep-fry or candy thermometer), and maintain temperature for 10 minutes as oil weakly bubbles.
  2. Carefully transfer oil to heat-proof bowl and cool to room temperature. Let sit for at least 1 day before using. Pour into a clean, tightly sealed glass jar and refrigerate. Use within 1 month.

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