
What to use in place of paprika?
What’s A Good Paprika Substitute?
- Table of Contents. ...
- Your best bet: Ancho powder (or another mild 100% chili powder) Since the typical paprika you use is mild, it’s best to substitute in a powder that keeps the heat ...
- Your best spice rack staple solution: Chili powder. ...
- Ratchet things up a notch (or three): Cayenne pepper. ...
- Harder to source, but a unique option: Aleppo pepper. ...
What spices can you use instead of paprika?
What spice can you use in place of Paprika?
- Cayenne Pepper. Cayenne is a good substitute for both color, though it is quite a bit hotter than your typical mild paprika.
- Chili Powder. Chili powder is more of a blend of ingredients and is usually hotter, but it can be used if you run out of paprika.
- Chili Flakes.
- Other Chili Powders.
What herb can you substitute for Paprika?
What Can I Substitute For Paprika?
- Cayenne is a decent alternative for both color and heat, and it’s a lot hotter than regular paprika.
- Chili powder, sometimes known as chili powder, is a powdered hot chili pepper made from red or cayenne peppers.
- The frequently asked question of you ‘all is can I use turmeric instead of paprika. ...
Can I use chili powder as a substitute to paprika?
Yes, red chili powder is a great substitute for paprika in recipes as it has similar flavoring and also produces that same red coloring. Chili powder is a lot hotter than paprika though and is often less smoky, so if you are going to use it as a substitute you may want to use a lower ratio of chili powder that you would use for paprika.

Can I use regular paprika in place of sweet paprika?
Not all paprika tastes the same, but that doesn't mean that you can't use one that's different than what's called for in your recipe. For example, you can used spicy paprika in place of sweet, but the final product will have much more of a kick. Smoked paprika will impart a different flavor, too.
Is sweet paprika and paprika the same thing?
Sweet paprika vs regular paprika Regular or plain paprika has very little flavour, and is mainly used as a garnish due to its attractive orange-red colour. Sweet paprika, as the name suggests, has a noticeably sweeter, slightly fruity flavour, with a hint of pepperiness.
How do I make sweet paprika?
0:398:47How to Make Smoked Paprika, Sweet Smoked and Spicy SmokedYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I want to show you how I make it and today I'm going to start with some sweet bell peppers for aMoreSo I want to show you how I make it and today I'm going to start with some sweet bell peppers for a sweet smoked paprika.
Can I use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika?
Yes, they are both paprikas, but this is not a perfect substitution by any means. The big smoky flavor of smoked paprika is often too big for recipes calling for regular sweet paprika. And regular sweet paprika doesn't have a strong enough flavor to pair well with hearty dishes.
What is sweet paprika made of?
Sweet paprika may not be sweet or spicy, and is the typical type used when the recipe simply calls for “paprika.” It's made from bright, sweet red peppers without any heat. Use it to add color or a mild peppery flavor to a dish. Hot paprika is made with spicy varieties of peppers that packs the heat.
What does sweet paprika taste like?
Sweet Paprika The most commonly used paprika is made from bright, sweet red peppers, making for a spice that doesn't have much heat at all. Instead, its flavor is fruity and a little bitter. Sprinkle it on deviled eggs or use it to make classic Hungarian dishes like goulash.
Can I make my own sweet paprika?
Crush the peppers into a fine powder, removing any big pieces that do not grind. Once done, place the spice into an airtight glass jar to prolong shelf life. Each large red pepper should produce around 2 teaspoons of paprika.
Is Mccormick paprika sweet or smoked?
About this item. Sweet peppers are smoked and dried to produce a distinctive sweet and smoky taste. For a deep smoky paprika flavor, sprinkle on deviled eggs and spiced nuts.
Is sweet paprika hot?
Sweet paprika has a sweet, peppery flavour without any heat. It is commonly used as a garnish for salads and devilled eggs and it is great for adding to rubs for meat or chicken or adding to rice to season and colour it.
Is McCormick paprika sweet paprika?
McCormick Gourmet Hot Hungarian Paprika offers sweet-pepper flavor with heat and vibrant color. Use in Hungarian favorites like paprikash and goulash, as well as eggs, potatoes and chicken.
What are the different types of paprika?
3 Varieties of Paprika Among the different varieties of paprika, the spice is often divided into three categories—hot paprika, sweet paprika, and smoked paprika—which often vary based on where they're produced.
Is sweet paprika hot?
Sweet paprika has a sweet, peppery flavour without any heat. It is commonly used as a garnish for salads and devilled eggs and it is great for adding to rubs for meat or chicken or adding to rice to season and colour it.
What is Sweet Paprika?
Sweet Paprika, which may or may not be spicy or sweet, is among the most common kinds used when a delicacy needs Paprika. It is mild in terms of spice, making its uses practically endless.
List of Food Recipes where this Might be Used
You can use Sweet Paprika only to add color in any delicacies due to the milder taste and non-focus on heat. You can use it to create a peppery flavor and can also use it to reduce the level of heat in delicacies whose original intensity is high. It is widely known for its fiery hot red color, making your dishes vibrant.
Substitute List
When you run out of Sweet Pepper on your kitchen table, you may try a few substitutes instead. One of which is Chipotle powder, having a similar flavor and color but is a bit spicy. You can also substitute Sweet Paprika with crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, smoked Hungarian Paprika, or regular Paprika.
1. Cayenne Pepper
You can use Cayenne Pepper to substitute for Sweet Paprika as it is among the best options to reduce heat. Cayenne Pepper also adds a similar vibrant color to the cuisines as Sweet Paprika. You need to use it in fewer amounts if you want to reduce the heat.
2. Chipotle Powder
Another great substitute for Sweet Paprika is Chipotle powder. You must dry and grind Chipotle peppers to get a splash of colors to your cuisine. However, it is much hotter than Sweet Paprika but is a tasty substitute.
3. Maras Pepper Flakes
Maras Pepper Flakes is also a great substitute for sweet Paprika. Maras Pepper Flakes have a similar hint of heat and sweet flavor as Sweet Paprika. Its texture is different and has a little more heat than Sweet Paprika, but you can substitute Maras Pepper Flakes in many cuisines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Regular Paprika lacks flavors and does not have a smoky or sweet hint, while Sweet Paprika has a unique sweetness that enhances the peppery taste of the blend.
1. Chili Powder
According to Taste Essence, chili powder is among the best paprika substitutes because it has one of the most similar colors and flavors to paprika. Made in the same way as paprika, chili powder tends to be made from cayenne peppers or red peppers, but this pepper powder lacks the same signature heat as cayenne pepper.
2. Tomato Juice
For recipes that can use a liquid ingredient as opposed to a powder, tomato juice is an option to replace sweet paprika (via Taste Essence ). While tomato juice won't add quite the same vibrant red color and certainly doesn't have the same mild smokey flavor, it is a sweeter option for those who dislike other spicy pepper powder alternatives.
3. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper can be used as an alternative to sweet paprika. If you are not a fan of heat, it might actually surprise you that cayenne pepper is one of the best options because the heat can be toned down. Cayenne pepper will add the same vivid color to dishes, but to tone down the heat, you'll want to use less of it.
4. Hot Sauce
If you run out of paprika and also happen to be a huge hot sauce fan, you'll be glad to know that you can use it as a substitute (via Taste Essence ). Hot sauce as well as other chili sauces offer a similar smokey, sweet, and slight heat as paprika to dishes.
5. Aleppo Pepper Powder
Cooking Chew also suggests using Aleppo pepper powder. Aleppo powder is also made by drying and grinding up red Aleppo peppers, so you'll still get a similar color and flavor from the sweet paprika alternative. According to Cooking Chew, Aleppo peppers fall between cayenne peppers and paprika in terms of spiciness.
6. Red Chili Flakes
Red chili flakes are another dried pepper alternative to paprika. However, they obviously have a coarser, chunkier texture than that of finely ground paprika or other pepper powders (via Cooking Chew ). Apart from the larger pieces and different textures, red chili flakes will provide a very close color and flavor to paprika.
7. Maras Pepper Flakes
Maras pepper flakes are another type of pepper flakes that you can substitute for paprika. Though this Middle Eastern spice might not be as prevalent in the supermarket, it is among the best alternatives to paprika (via Raw Spice Bar ). That's because maras pepper flakes have a very similar sweet flavor with a touch of heat too.
Top 8 Paprika Substitute Options
What to know: If your recipe calls for regular paprika, ancho chili powder is your best bet for achieving a similar taste and deep red color.
3 Less Common Paprika Substitutes That Can Still Work
While the five options above are your top bets for paprika substitutes, there are a few other spices you can try out.
The Takeaway
Paprika is a unique spice that comes in dozens of varieties, each with a different color and spice level or sweetness. Understanding the most common types will allow you to choose the best paprika substitute (s) without dramatically changing the appearance or flavor of your dish.
The Best Paprika Substitute List
Paprika is a staple in many great recipes, but if you’re out of it and don’t want to wait or try cooking a different recipe, consider trying a paprika sub from our list below.
Is Cayenne Pepper the Same as Paprika?
No. Cayenne pepper is different from paprika. Further, cayenne pepper is known to be hotter than paprika. Though there are different types of paprika, no type can compare to the hotness of cayenne pepper.
Can You Use Cumin Instead of Paprika?
Yes. You can use cumin and paprika interchangeably, as long as you consider the differing amounts required. Cumin is spicier than paprika, so start off using half the amount of cumin required for the recipe. Then, if you need more heat, sprinkle a bit of cayenne or pepper.
Can You Use Chipotle Powder in Place of Paprika?
Chipotle powder comes from whole, dried chipotle chilies. With its hot, smoky flavor, it’s great substitute for smoked hot paprika. A teaspoon of chipotle powder equals a teaspoon of paprika.
The Verdict
There are so many alternatives to paprika you can use. However, there are many factors you need to consider when doing so. Make sure you choose the right paprika substitute for each dish.
Tomato juice and chili powder
One of the main benefits of using tomato juice is that it replicates the color paprika would have given.
Black or white pepper
Black pepper is native to India but is produced the world over. It is a staple household seasoning and you would be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn’t have any.
Red pepper flakes
These flakes are made from a mixture of peppers from the Capsicum annum family. They are primarily made from cayenne peppers with a few others incorporated to bulk it out.
Pimentón de la Vera powder
This is a type of smoked paprika that comes exclusively from the La Vera valley in Cáceres, Spain. It has been made here since the 16th century.
Cajun spice
Cajun spice, or cajun seasoning, is a blend of many different spices. It works with almost every dish and it’s a great blend to have in your kitchen cupboard.
Hot sauce
Hot sauce is an umbrella term for a type of sauce made primarily from chilies.
Chipotle powder
This is a powdered form of dried chipotle chiles. It differs from generic chilli powder as this tends to have other spices, such as cumin, oregano, and garlic powder incorporated.
What is Sweet Paprika?
Most of what you find in the store or in your kitchen cabinet labelled as ‘Paprika’ tends to be sweet paprika. This variety, as you can guess by the name, tends to be quite mild in regards to the spice factor which is why its applications are practically limitless.
How to Use Sweet Paprika?
The milder taste of sweet paprika means that you can use it for almost anything and everything. It doesn’t focus on heat. Instead, it is used to bring about that unique peppery flavor that comes from the crushed up, dried, red peppers.
Is Sweet Paprika Spicy?
As we mentioned before, sweet paprika is not all that spicy (as suggested by the name as well!). At its best, sweet paprika will only measure 12k Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville scale. That is why it may not be the best spice to use if your goal is to amp up the heat level of any given dish.
What is a Substitute for Sweet Paprika?
In case you find yourself struggling to locate a container of sweet paprika, there are some handy substitutes that you can use instead. A good substitute is chipotle powder, which has a similar color and flavor, although it is spicier and lacks that underlying sweetness in its flavor profile.
What is the Difference Between Sweet Paprika And Regular Paprika?
While sweet paprika can be acquired very easily, it is still not the same as regular paprika. Some people may mistake regular, plain paprika for sweet paprika but we are here to tell you the difference.
What is the Difference Between Sweet Paprika And Hungarian Paprika?
Hungarian paprika is made using peppers that are first smoked and dried, then ground up into a fine, red powder, giving it its distinctive smoky flavor that works great for meat rubs, barbecues, and roasts. Sweet paprika has a sweeter flavor without the smokiness.
Where to Buy Sweet Paprika?
Sweet paprika is usually readily available. You should be able to find it in your local supermarket or grocery store in the spices section. If you unable to find it, you can order some online as well.
