Ancho chile is a type of dried chile pepper commonly used in Mexican and Southwestern U.S. cuisine. It is a dry pepper, and its name is due to its width, as "ancho" in Spanish means "wide." Sweet and mild, this chile is easily found all year round. Ancho is commonly added to sauces, soups, and marinades to enhance their flavor; it's used pureed, chopped, or powdered.
