Green peppers are a form of bell pepper that can be sweet or bitter, depending on which one you get. Mild in flavor, green peppers are a young form of red or yellow pepper that is picked in the early stages of ripening.
If you find yourself having an issue locating green peppers at the store or you need a quick fix for a recipe, there are a plethora of alternatives you can try.
Green pepper substitutes include poblano peppers, cubanelles, pepperoncinis, jalapenos, and anaheim peppers.
Good when eaten alone, mixed into a fresh salad, or folded into Mexican food, green bell peppers are versatile in their many uses. Some of these substitutes work better as replacements in specific dishes, so let’s take a look and see when and where you can implement green bell pepper substitutes.
Finding a Green Bell Pepper Alternative
Selecting the ideal green pepper alternative will depend on the type of recipe you plan on making. Some green pepper alternatives can be eaten fresh, while others are canned or jarred.
So, the texture and consistency of the green pepper alternative you choose will depend on what you are trying to achieve with your dish. Here is a look at a few of the most common green pepper substitutes and how they can make your recipe tastier than ever:
1. Poblano Peppers
These peppers may have caught your attention at the grocery store, as they are deep, dark, and bold. Poblano peppers can be roasted and eaten alone or cut up to use in other dishes.
Their deep, earthy flavor makes them taste a bit different than what you may be used to in other pepper varieties. Poblano peppers can even be a bit spicy.
2. Cubanelles
Even though cubanelles are considered to be sweet peppers, they can have a mild or moderate heat to them. Also known as Italian frying peppers, cubanelles work well on Italian sandwiches or in pasta primavera.
Cubanelles can be green, yellow, or red are popularly found in Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Their appearance is also different from that of wide and deep bell pepper, as cubanelles are long and skinny.
3. Pepperoncinis
Found in salads at chain Italian restaurants, pepperoncini have a mild flavor that gives every dish a tang of Italian zest. Unlike green peppers that are sold in the produce section of a grocery store, pepperonciniare found in canned goods, often packaged in jars.
Pepperoncinis can be eaten whole or sliced up for convenience. They are great in pasta dishes, Italian cuisine, sandwiches, or chopped up in salads.
4. Anaheim Peppers
A bit fruity and a little peppery, Anaheim peppers have a taste that is hard to describe. They are crunchy in their consistency and delicious when eaten raw.
Anaheim peppers can almost be swapped straight across for green peppers. When they are cooked, their sweetness develops into a smoky flavor that is almost tangy.
Other Substitutes for Bell Peppers
5.Banana Pepper
Banana peppers are another substitute for bell peppers that are similar in taste but much different in their appearance. Found in gardens all across the world, banana peppers are the perfect combination of tangy and sweet.
They taste delicious when grilled with a bit of cream cheese and shredded cheese inside and topped with bacon. Yet, their flavor is mild enough for raw use, too.
6. Red & Yellow Pepper
Green peppers are nearly the same as red and yellow peppers. The only difference is how long each variety was allowed to ripen.
Yet, this affects their flavor, and their looks, alike. Red and yellow peppers tend to be sweeter. They can be interchanged with green peppers in many recipes, such as stuffed peppers and toppings on a pizza.
7. Green Chilies
If you’re in a real pinch, green chilies will do the trick in a recipe instead of green peppers. Green chilies are shelf-stable and are usually found in the Mexican cuisine section of most grocery stores.
Green chilies are commonly found in enchiladas, queso, and toppings on other Mexican dishes. They are much spicier than green peppers, though, so if you are planning on subbing them out you will need to keep this in mind.
Subbing Bell Peppers in Popular Recipes
Swapping Out Bell Peppers in Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
One of the key components of sloppy joe sandwiches is bell peppers. Although they might not get the credit they deserve, bell peppers are an ingredient that makes sloppy joes what they are.
When you need a replacement, you can consider poblano peppers or Anaheim peppers. It may change the taste a bit, but some people might prefer this.
If you’re feeling spicy, you can even try some green chilis in your sloppy joe sandwich mix.
Replacing Bell Peppers on Pizza
A supreme pizza wouldn’t be what it is without crunchy green peppers. Fresh green peppers are used atop pizza, so when they are missing off a pizza they are truly missed.
You’ll want a replacement on supreme pizza that has a similar crunch and flavor to green peppers. Banana peppers and pepperoncinis work well in doing so.
Using Different Peppers for Stuffed Peppers
When green peppers are the main part of your recipe, you will certainly miss them if you can’t find any at your local grocer. However, in a stuffed pepper recipe, you can use yellow or red peppers in place of green peppers.
The taste may vary a bit if you use red or yellow peppers in place of green ones, but oftentimes it won’t be enough to make a big difference.
If you find yourself in need of a green pepper substitute, your options are endless. There are so many different pepper varieties, it would be hard to not find a replacement.
Take a look at the swaps we have outlined to find the perfect green pepper substitute for your dish.
