A guajillo chili or guajillo chile (chile guajillo in Spanish) is a variety of chile pepper of the species Capsicum annuum which is widely used in the cuisine of Mexico. They are sometimes used to make the salsa for tamales; the dried fruits are seeded, soaked, pulverized to a thin paste, then cooked with salt and several other ingredients to produce a thick, red, flavorful sauce. Guajillo chilies may be used in pastes, butters, or rubs to flavor all kinds of meats, especially chicken. Alternatively, they can be added to salsas to create a sweet side dish with a surprisingly hot finish. In its dried form, chiles can keep for months in a dry, cool place.