Hot paprika is something you're more likely to come across in an authentic Eastern European, Portuguese, or Spanish recipe. And like all peppers, what constitutes hot is subjective and can also vary from one type of paprika to another. 

Different Paprika and Red Chili Powders

Sriracha is a multi-purpose sauce. It can be used in a variety of cuisines, from pasta, seafood and more. But when you’ve run out of this magical hot elixir, go for sambal oelek. Sambal oelek is hands down the best substitute for the thick sriracha sauce packed with heat. It is wildly popular in major grocery stores and it packs a similar punch in the heat department. It is made of much simpler ingredients than sriracha itself. It just has one drawback - you have to add garlic powder to it to get close to the same taste.

Are paprika and bell pepper the same thing?

Chili and paprika are cornerstone spices in global cuisine, celebrated for their ability to transform simple dishes into flavorful masterpieces. This article explores the culinary uses of chili as a food, various chili products, the distinctive qualities of paprika, and the unique appeal of sweet smoked paprika.

To recreate the spice of hot paprika, the best substitute is another dried chilli, like ground cayenne, aleppo pepper powder, crushed red pepper flakes, red chilli powder, or even a dash of hot sauce. If your recipe calls for smokiness and sweetness, try chipotle chilli powder or ancho pepper powder. Chipotle powder has a smoky taste, but is hotter than paprika with a more earthy flavour, lending itself to barbecue sauces, rubs and chillis. Due to the difference in heat, use a ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder for every teaspoon of paprika and adjust depending on your taste buds.

If you’re looking to replicate the flavour of sweet paprika add a pinch of sugar or some honey. Adding mild chilli powder or tomato powder works too. Bell peppers are another great substitute for sweet paprika and they come from the same Capsicum annuum family. Mild, sweet and aromatic, bell peppers give the same delicious taste and aroma, while adding a splash of colour too. When buying your bell peppers, make sure they’re nice and ripe.

One of the best substitutes for paprika is cayenne pepper. It’s a spicy chilli pepper, used to flavour many different cuisines and quite similar in colour. It’s a lot stronger and hotter than paprika, so if you’re using it as a substitute in your cooking, make sure you use a lesser quantity. If you have a lower tolerance to spicy food, you can add salt, cream, chopped tomatoes or more liquid (water or broth) to try and dial down the heat.

Like paprika, chilli powder packs a lot of flavour and is another worthy substitute. It’s also not as spicy as cayenne pepper, so you can use the same quantities.  The same goes for cajun spices. A combination of black and white pepper, plus other herbs and spices, it can work as a good substitute for smoked or sweet paprika, offering a similar flavour. But you won’t get the same beautiful red colour – more of an orange, warm hue.

You can also use cumin instead of paprika. But it’s a lot hotter, so go easy on the quantities. Like cajun spices, you won’t achieve the gorgeous red colour of paprika, as cumin has more of a yellowy-brown colouring, but you’ll still get an earthy flavour with hints of bitterness and sweetness.

Why We Love It: If you’re a habanero devotee, this hot sauce surely won’t disappoint. We’ve combined one of our favorite hot peppers with ingredients like carrots, onion, and honey, for a bold yet balanced flavor. The ingredients play off one another for a versatile hot sauce that you can use on anything from tacos and beans to chicken and spaghetti—seriously!

Chili condiments encompass a variety of spicy accompaniments that add depth and heat to dishes. From chili oils and pastes to chili sauces and sambals, these condiments come in diverse forms and heat levels, catering to different palates and culinary preferences. They are used globally to enhance stir-fries, marinades, dips, and soups, offering a fiery kick and robust flavor. Chili condiments are also integral to fusion cuisines, where they lend a bold and complex dimension to dishes that crave intensity.

It's important to note that the spiciness of oleoresin Capsicum can have significant effects on individuals, and exposure to high concentrations should be approached with caution. When used in food products, the spiciness of oleoresin Capsicum should be carefully considered to ensure that the resulting dishes are enjoyable and within the desired heat level for consumers.