However, unlike sriracha which is very dependent on chilis for its taste, the hot sauce with its many ingredients is very tangy. It’s because its other main ingredient is vinegar. If you taste hot sauce, you get a burst of heat together with the tangy vinegar. Vinegar serves two purposes: makes the hot sauces delicious with its flavorful play with the heat and it also helps preserve the chili, too. This is one reason why most commercially made hot sauces can be stored at room temperature. 

Ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 SHU, cayenne is definitely spicier than hot paprika. All the same, this ingredient is one of the best hot paprika substitutes there is because of its striking color and noticeable heat level.

Sweet paprika is the one most commonly found in supermarket aisles and adds vibrant colour to any dish it touches. Mild and delicate, and warm rather than hot, it’s the perfect choice if you want to add peppery flavour to your food without the heat. It tends to be more fruity and a little bitter too. If you’re cooking a recipe that doesn’t specify the type of paprika, sweet paprika is definitely your best bet.

WHAT DOES PAPRIKA TASTE LIKE?

I highly advise that you gradually add the powdered or crushed red pepper flakes to your recipe. Start with one-third of a teaspoon for every teaspoon of paprika. Give it a taste to check the heat and spiciness, and add more when needed.

While smoked paprika gives a dish depth, sweet paprika is a classic staple and can be used in almost every dish alongside garlic and onion. Use the following spices instead to get the paprika flavor when you don’t have any on hand.

Bell Pepper Powder

On the other hand, is chili powder and paprika the same? Not quite. Chili powder is a blend of spices, predominantly ground chili peppers, complemented by garlic powder, cumin, and sometimes oregano. Its use is pivotal in chili con carne, tacos, and meat rubs. The components of chili powder can vary, offering a spectrum of flavors from mild to intensely spicy.

Furthermore, stabilizers such as antioxidants and preservatives are essential ingredients in paprika oleoresin to prevent oxidation and maintain the color and flavor of the final product. Suppliers should use natural and approved stabilizers that do not compromise the quality or safety of the paprika oleoresin.

If you look at any Hungarian recipe, paprika is sure to feature. Paprika is an essential ingredient in goulash, and chicken paprikash –  another popular Hungarian stew made from a creamy paprika sauce. If you’re looking for a winter warmer, try out our Italian chickpea, spinach and rice soup with smoked paprika, or Turkey meatballs served on a rice base of aubergines, smoked paprika and spinach – both delicious. Paprika is also a great addition to Jambalaya, a classic Creole shrimp and sausage dish made with rice, chicken, diced tomatoes and stock, and Moroccan lamb tagine. If you’re looking for an al fresco recipe to enjoy with friends in the summer sunshine, try paella. The vibrant colour of paprika paired with perfectly balanced flavours of sundried tomatoes and rosemary will help re-create the sun-soaked streets of Barcelona in your own back garden. If you’re making a chilli con carne, definitely add some smoked paprika into the mix. It will give your dish a deliciously smokey flavour. Looking for an appetizer to serve before a dinner party? Cheese twists are super simple (taking just 10 minutes to cook). Flavoured with plenty of grated cheese and smoked paprika, they add a wonderfully sweet flavour to the buttery puff pastry.