What is Chipotle Morita Pepper?
The Chipotle Morita pepper is the chipotle most Americans know, even if they don't know its name. It is a ripe red jalapeño that has been smoked and dried, and it is the pepper usually found in cans of chipotles in adobo. Morita brings a sweet, fruity smokiness and medium heat to salsas, chili, barbecue sauce, marinades and rubs.
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Morita powder goes straight into rubs, sauces and dips. Whole dried Moritas are for homemade adobo, salsas and braises. Chipotle Sea Salt is an easy smoky finishing salt.
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What is a Chipotle Morita pepper?
“Chipotle” comes from the Nahuatl word for smoked chile, and it means any smoke-dried jalapeño. There are two main types. Morita (“little blackberry”) jalapeños are smoked for a shorter time, so they stay soft, dark red to purple and fruity. Chipotle Meco peppers are smoked much longer until they turn tan and leathery, with a deeper, more intense smoke.
How hot is Chipotle Morita?
Chipotle Morita measures approximately 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the same range as the jalapeños it is made from. That is a medium heat: warmer than ancho or paprika, much milder than cayenne.
What does Morita taste like?
Smoky, sweet and fruity, with notes of dried cherry, raisin and chocolate. It is softer and fruitier than Meco, which tastes more like campfire smoke and tobacco. Morita's sweetness makes it a natural fit for barbecue sauce, glazes and anything with tomatoes.
| Chipotle Morita | Chipotle Meco | |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking time | Shorter | Longer |
| Look | Dark red to purple, soft | Tan to gray-brown, leathery |
| Flavor | Sweet, fruity, smoky | Intensely smoky, earthy |
| Best for | Adobo, barbecue sauce, salsa, chili | Beans, stews, smoky salsas |
How to use Chipotle Morita
- Salsas: blend soaked Moritas with roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion for salsa chipotle.
- Chili: add 1/2 teaspoon powder with your Chili Powder for smoky depth.
- Barbecue sauce and glazes: a pinch adds smoke without a smoker.
- Marinades and rubs: great with pork, chicken thighs, steak and shrimp.
- Creamy sauces: chipotle mayo, crema and yogurt sauce for tacos and burgers.
- Vegetables: roasted sweet potatoes, corn and cauliflower.
How much Morita powder should you start with?
Begin with 1/4 teaspoon in 1 cup of sauce or a two-serving bean dish. It adds smoke as well as heat, so taste before adding other smoky ingredients. As a rough guide, 1 whole dried Morita equals about 1/2 teaspoon of powder.
Recipe: Chipotle Morita yogurt sauce
Stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Morita powder and 1 teaspoon lime juice into 1 cup plain yogurt. Refrigerate 10 minutes, then stir, taste and add salt if needed. Thin with water a teaspoon at a time. Spoon over tacos, roasted squash or a rice bowl.
Recipe: homemade chipotle adobo sauce
- Stem 6 whole dried Moritas and simmer them in 1 1/2 cups water for 15 minutes until soft.
- Blend the chiles and 1/2 cup of their liquid with 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Simmer the sauce 10 minutes until slightly thick.
- Refrigerate and use within 1 week, or freeze in small portions.
Use a spoonful anywhere a recipe calls for canned chipotles in adobo.
Recipe: Morita dry rub
For 1 pound of vegetables or meat, combine 1/4 teaspoon Morita powder with 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Add salt separately and apply an even coating. On a grill, move food away from flare-ups so the exposed chile does not scorch.
Whole dried peppers are a separate format
If your recipe calls for whole pods, choose whole dried Morita and follow its soaking and blending method. Powder is convenient for smooth coatings, but it does not automatically replace a specified number of pods or canned chipotles in adobo.
Frequently asked questions
Are chipotles in adobo made from Morita?
Most canned chipotles in adobo are Morita chipotles, which is why homemade adobo with Moritas tastes so familiar.
What can I substitute for Chipotle Morita?
Use Chipotle Meco for more smoke, or Smoked Hot Paprika for smoke with less body. Smoked Serrano is brighter and a bit hotter.
How should I store Morita powder?
Keep it sealed, away from heat, light and steam, and use within about a year. See our shelf life of spices guide.
Explore more from Savu Birra
Browse our chile peppers and paprika, read What Is Chipotle Meco?, or learn how to cook with whole dried chile peppers.
