Paprika Substitute: Paprika is a common spice that is used for good reason. It comes in different styles like hot, sweet, smoked, and others. Paprika is prepared by grinding the pods of pepper plant capsicum annum. This powder comes from grinding sweetener and dried red peppers. You can get either Hungarian Paprika or Spanish Paprika. Here we are providing complete details about the best Paprika Substitutes.
There are several health advantages of paprika. It adds spice to your dish and bright crimson color. But what if you suddenly sun of this spice in your kitchen pantry? Do not worry as you can add an alternative for paprika to your dish. In the following sections, we are covering the complete details about substitutes for paprika.
- What is Paprika? – Common Types of Paprika
- Top Paprika Substitute Options
- Cayenne Pepper Powder
- Ancho Chili Powder
- Chili Powder
- Aleppo Chili Powder
- Cajun Spice
- Chipotle Powder
- Hot Sauce or Tomato Sauce
- Cumin Combined with Regular Paprika and Cayenne for Smoked Paprika
- Other Common Paprika Substitutes You Can Try
- Can I replace paprika with chili powder?
- What can I use if I don’t have paprika?
- Is paprika just dried bell pepper?
- How can I make my own paprika?
What is Paprika? – Common Types of Paprika
Paprika is a ground spice that is made from a mixture of dried peppers in the Capsicum annum family, including hot chillies, poblano pepper, cayenne pepper, sweet pepper, Aleppo peppers, and others. This red spice varies in color, flavor, and heat levels based on the type of peppers used to prepare paprika.
Some paprikas are hot and spicy and others are sweet with a mild flavor and no heat. The spice level of paprika depends on the flavorful carotenoids in the fresh peppers used for the powder. Paprika was brought to Spain in the 16th century before moving to other nations.
The flavor and variety of paprika can mainly depends on the country in which it was made. The well-known paprika manufacturing countries are Spain, Hungary, California, and South America. The 3 different varieties of paprika are regular paprika, Spanish paprika, and Hungarian paprika.
It is the general type of paprika found in the average supermarket spice. It has a mild flavor with a sweet taste and subtle touch of heat. This kind of regular paprika is best used to sprinkle on finished dishes like deviled eggs and add color to grilled meat such as a rib spice rub.
In Spain, paprika is known as pimenton. Spanish paprikas are available in different varieties like sweet (dulce), spice (Picante), sweet and spice together on medium heat (agridule), and smoked pimenton. The smokey paprika is made by frying the dried peppers in the oven.
Paprika is called the national spice of Hungary and can be used in many countries most common dishes. We have 8 different types of Hungarian paprika, they are delicate, rose, semi-sweet, special quality, strong, bright red, and slightly pungent spice.
Top Paprika Substitute Options
Paprika is a famous Spanish spice that is actually added to various dishes. The top paprika substitutes to add to your dishes are listed here.
- Cayenne Pepper Powder
- Ancho Chili Powder
- Chili Powder
- Aleppo Chili Powder
- Cajun Spice
- Chipotle Powder
- Hot Sauce or Tomato Sauce
- Cumin Combined with Regular Paprika and Cayenne for Smoked Paprika
Let us discuss each substitute of paprika in the following sections of the article.
Cayenne Pepper Powder
This can be a great substitute for paprika as it provides the same kind of spice to your dish. Actually, this red hot chili pepper is slightly stronger than paprika, so add a little amount od cayenne pepper powder instead of paprika into your recipe. It can also work as a picante smoked paprika substitute and for other hot varieties of paprika.
How to Replace: Start adding ¼ or half spoon of cayenne pepper powder instead of 1 full teaspoon of paprika, until you get the desired heat level and flavor.
Ancho Chili Powder
Ancho powder is the best substitute for regular paprika and it gives an almost similar taste and deep red color to your dish. It is made from ground ancho chilis. They have a deep red color and slightly sweet, smoky and mild falvor.
The appearance of regular chili and ancho chili powder is the same. So, don’t confuse them regular chili powder is a blend of spices (oregano, cumin, chili peppers, garlic, and paprika).
How to Replace: Add ½ to one full tablespoon of ancho chili powder instead of one spoonful of paprika in your dishes.
Chili Powder
All chili powders are not the same. Chili powder is a grounded powder of spices, and the ingredients and their quantities can vary based on your taste. After adding small amounts of cayenne to chili powder, it has a greater heat level than regular paprika, but it can’t be compared with hot or semi-hot smoked or Hungarian paprika.
That’s why chili powder is not a direct substitute for paprika. But it will work well for hummus or curries or deviled eggs.
How to Substitute: Because of the differences in flavor between chili powder and paprika, add ¼ spoon of chili powder for 1 teaspoon of paprika and check whether it works or not.
Nutritional Information (Approx.)
| Nutrients | Per 100 g Product |
| Energy | 246 Kcal |
| Protein | 15.9 g |
| Total Fat | 6.2 g |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.6 g |
| of which Sugar | 0.7 g |
Aleppo Chili Powder
Aleppo chili powder is commonly used in most Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It will work as a paprika substitute. To make this chili powder, pick the semi-dried Halaby peppers. These peppers are then seeded and ground to form a powder.
This chili powder has an earthy taste, dark burgundy color, and moderate heat level. It has a higher heat level when compared with regular paprika. So it is the best direct paprika substitute.
How to Substitute: Initially add ¼ teaspoon of Aleppo chili powder to your dish instead of paprika and then adjust the powder as per your taste.
Cajun Spice
Cajun spice is a ground powder of several different spices. You can add it to almost all dishes and it is one of the primary ingredients to maintain in a kitchen pantry. You can prepare cajun seasoning on your own or buy from the store.
To prepare homemade cajun spice, we need garlic powder, paprika, ground black or white pepper salt, ground black pepper, cayenne powder, dried thyme, onion powder, and dried oregano. Add the required quantities of the ingredients and make a fine powder.
How to Substitute: Add 1 spoon of the cajun spice blend for every teaspoon of paprika in your dishes.
Chipotle Powder
You can use chipotle powder as a smoked paprika substitute in various dishes. It is the fined powder of dried chipotle chilies, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. These chipotle chilies have a medium spice level and smokey element. It also has a sweet flavor.
How to Substitute: Substitute 1 tablespoon of chipotle powder for every teaspoon of paprika.
Hot Sauce or Tomato Sauce
Use hot sauce or tomato sauce as a paprika substitute if your recipe needs a deep red color and high heat. It works best as a smoked or hot paprika substitute, while tomato sauce works as a sweet or regular paprika substitute.
How to Substitute: Use one spoon of hot sauce for one teaspoon of paprika.
Cumin Combined with Regular Paprika and Cayenne for Smoked Paprika
It will act as a substitute for smoked and sweet paprika. It gives a similar taste to paprika.
How to Substitute: Mix a pinch of cumin, regular paprika, and a small dash of cayenne to get the required amount of heat. Adjust the powder as per your taste.
Also, Check
Other Common Paprika Substitutes You Can Try
If you don’t have any of the substitute options mentioned above, don’t worry because you can make substitutes with other food items.
Even bell peppers can be used as a substitute for paprika in a few recipes. To make this substitute, select ripe peppers only. Grind the dried peppers to get the substitute. Add this powder with other spices instead of paprika and prepare a dish as per your personal taste.
These pepper chili flakes are prepared with a mixture of peppers from the Capsicum family and cayenne peppers. All the selected peppers are dried and then ground before being packaged.
For every teaspoon of paprika, we recommend substituting ⅓ or 1 spoon of red bell peppers in your recipes.
Guajillo chili powder is slightly hot than regular paprika substitute. It is considered as a mildly hot pepper powder and has smokey notes which is suitable for Mexican dishes. For every teaspoon of paprika, add 1 spoonful of this chili powder.
FAQs on Paprika Substitute
1. Can I replace paprika with chili powder?
Yes, you can replace red chili powder with paprika. It is a great substitute for paprika in recipes.
2. What can I use if I don’t have paprika?
The substitutes for paprika to add in dishes are cayenne pepper powder, chili powder, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and so on.
3. Is paprika just dried bell pepper?
Paprika is prepared from the dried, ground, and ripened fruit pods of less pungent varieties of the Capsicum annum family.
4. How can I make my own paprika?
To make your own paprika, get suitable peppers. Dehydrate the peppers thoroughly. Grind them to make a powder and store the paprika.
Key Takeaways
We are hoping that the details presented here about Paprika Substitute are helpful for you. Actually, various chili powders or peppers can replace the taste, flavor, and color of the paprika. Stay tuned to our site canfoodgobad.com to know several food items that are substitutes for Cardamom, tamari, gochugaru, and so on.