Red chili peppers are used as a staple ingredient in many dishes and many cuisines around the world. Most often red chili peppers are used to add spice to a dish because they have a hot and spicy taste. What do you do, though, when you run out of red chili peppers and do not have any for your dish? While you can go out and buy more, you can also use substitutes for the red chili peppers in the dish you are making.
Red chili peppers are most often added to a dish in order to incorporate some form of spiciness to the dish.
There are many substitutes that you can use in order to replace red chili peppers when you do not have any. Some of these include chili powder, chili paste, and cayenne peppers.
Red chili peppers are known for their red coloration, and they are from a variety of Capsicum plants. While there are many different types of red peppers, red chili peppers are known for their spicy and hot flavor. There are also many different types of red chili peppers.
These different varieties tend to be differentiated by their level of spiciness. The hottest red chili peppers are a variety that come from Bangladesh and are known as naga jolokia. You can find red chili peppers to be grown in warmer climates. While they first appear to be green once they start growing, they will turn to a more reddish coloration before it is time to harvest the peppers.
Uses
The most common use of red chili peppers is to add a spicy flavor to the dish that is being served. This is due to the spicy flavor of the red chili peppers. Red chili peppers are also used as an anesthetic in creams and lotions in order to ease any pain.
What Can You Substitute for Red Chili Peppers?
Red chili peppers are used in cuisines throughout the world. With many different levels of spiciness, it is easy to understand why red chili peppers are so popular. Since the red chili peppers are used in a variety of dishes, you can use up your stash of red chili peppers easily if you are not paying attention.
When you run out of red chili peppers, you can go to the store in order to buy more, but you can also use substitutes that will also work in dishes to provide the same flavor as the red chili peppers. Each of these substitutes come with certain levels of spiciness, so it is important to understand each substitute before deciding on which to put in your dish.
Below are 15 of the best substitutes for red chili peppers.
1. Chili Powder
Chili powder is made when dried chili peppers are blended with a variety of spices. These spices can include garlic powder, cumin, and oregano. You can add chili powder to dishes at any point during the cooking process. Chili powder adds a nice spicy flavor to the dishes.
Chili powder is one of the best substitutes for red chili peppers because the powder is spicy and has a complex flavor. Chili powder, however, is less spicy when compared to fresh red chili peppers, so chili pepper is great for dishes that do not require a lot of spice.
2. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is one of the most popular condiments that is used. While hot sauce is known to add a spicy flavor to whatever you dip into the sauce or whatever the sauce covers, there are also some hot sauces that are not necessarily spicy.
Hot sauce is traditionally made using chili peppers, salt, and vinegar. Since hot sauce has the primary purpose of making dishes spicier, it makes sense that you can substitute hot sauce for red chili peppers for the same purpose.
3. Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes are one of the most common substitutes used to replace red chili peppers. These flakes are often made using red chili peppers. The peppers are dried and crushed in order to make the flakes.
These flakes have a similar spicy flavor when compared to red chili peppers. This is why red pepper flakes are the most common substitute for red chili peppers, especially since the flakes are made from the peppers. You will want to measure the red pepper flakes before putting them in the dish, since you do not want the dish to have a flavor that is too spicy to eat.
If the recipe calls for one chili pepper, you want to only use ¼ of a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
4. Chili Paste
If you are looking for a substitute for red chili peppers, you may want to try chili paste. Chili paste is made from dried chilis that have been roasted and reconstituted. This paste is often described as being thick, but it is quite flavorful.
Chili paste can make a great condiment, or it can be used as an ingredient for different marinades and sauces. It can also be used to substitute red chili peppers in order to add some spice to your dish. If you choose to substitute chili paste for red chili peppers, you want to use ½ a teaspoon of chili paste to substitute for a red chili pepper.
5. Bell Peppers
Although bell peppers do not contain the same spicy content as red chili peppers, they can still be a great substitute. Bell peppers are known to be a sweet variety of pepper that comes in three different colors, red, yellow, and green.
These peppers are known to lack the spicy content of chili peppers, but they can still be used as a substitute if you are looking to incorporate a similar texture to your dish rather than a similar flavor. To substitute bell peppers for red chili peppers, you want to use one bell pepper for one chili pepper.
6. Banana Peppers
Much like bell peppers, banana peppers do not have the same spicy flavor as red chili peppers. The flavor of banana peppers is one that is actually quite mild. If you do not react well to spice, these peppers can make a great replacement for the spicy red chili peppers. You want to substitute one banana pepper for one red chili pepper.
7. Green Chiles
Green chiles are another substitute that are commonly used in the place of red chili peppers. Those who are sensitive to spice or do not like eating foods with a lot of spice will enjoy this substitute because green chiles have a much milder flavor compared to red chili peppers. Green chiles are also known to have a flavor that is sweet, so this can add more complexity to your dish.
8. Black Pepper
It may come as a surprise, but black pepper can also be used as a substitute for red chili peppers. It is highly likely that you already have some black pepper in your kitchen at home. While black pepper may be small, it has a potent flavor that can add spice to your dish. You want to be careful, however, because black pepper can also give off a burning sensation if you use too much. It is best to use ¼ of a teaspoon of black pepper as a substitute for one red chili pepper.
9. Habanero Peppers
Habanero peppers are some of the spiciest peppers that you can find. These peppers are known to be small, but they also provide a strong spicy flavor that can linger on your tongue for a while after you eat one of the peppers.
Habanero peppers make a great substitute for red chili peppers. While the habanero peppers and the red chili peppers have the same flavor profile when looking at spiciness, habanero peppers also contain a sweet and fruity flavor. This can add more complexity to your dish if you choose to substitute habanero peppers for red chili peppers.
10. Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne peppers can also make a great substitute for red chili peppers. Cayenne pepper is used in cuisine around the world, both in its whole form and in its ground form. Cayenne peppers can be used as a substitute for red chili peppers because they are both spicy. This is great if you are looking to incorporate a spicy flavor to your dish, but you do not have any red chili peppers.
11. Sriracha
Sriracha is a chili pepper sauce that has become very popular over the last decade. This chili pepper sauce is known to have a flavor that is tangy and sweet, but it is also thick. When comparing sriracha to other sauces, you will find that the flavor is more complex and is layered.
Since chili peppers are used as an ingredient in sriracha sauce, it makes sense that sriracha can be used as a substitute for red chili peppers. It works well if you are looking to give your dish a spicy flavor.
12. Smoked Paprika Powder
Smoked paprika powder can also be used as a substitute for red chili peppers. Paprika is made using dried chili peppers that have been crushed, and the smoking of these crushed peppers allow for the smoked chili powder to have a more hearty flavoring.
13. Serrano Peppers
While serrano peppers can make a good substitute for red chili peppers, it is important to note that serrano peppers have a flavor that is much more spicy when compared to the flavor of red chili peppers. These peppers are commonly used in the Southwestern part of the United States. When using these peppers as a substitute, you want to tweak the measurements, so you do not add too much to the recipe.
14. Pequin Chili Peppers
The pequin chili pepper looks a little different when compared to other peppers. Pequin chili peppers only measure to be about an inch long, and they have a rectangular shape. In order for the peppers to obtain their signature flavor, they are smoked over wood. While these peppers are not used as much as others, they can still make a great substitute for red chili peppers.
15. Jalapeño Peppers
Jalapeño peppers are commonly added to dishes. These peppers are known for their spicy taste, but their heat levels can range from medium hot to very hot. This allows for you to have many options when choosing to use jalapeño peppers as a substitute for red chili peppers in your dish.
These peppers contain a lot of nutrients and have many health benefits. You can use them as a substitute for red chili peppers. They will add spice to the dish as well as nutrients that may not already be included.
Conclusion
Red chili peppers are used in various dishes from various cuisines from around the world. Since they are used so often, it is possible that you have run out of red chili peppers. Luckily, there are many substitutes that you can use to replace the red chili peppers in the dish. From habanero peppers to red pepper flakes, there are many options for substitutes that you can add to the dish to give it the same flavor.
