Hungary has an incredibly complex grading system for their various paprikas. It measures flavor, color, and heat level, and each paprika falls into one of 8 distinct categories. Needless to say, Hungarians take their paprika very seriously!
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.
Other than sambal oelek, you can go for chili paste, crushed chili flakes or even cayenne pepper to replace sriracha. Although these substitutes may not be hot enough, neither do they have the same thick consistency as Sriracha, yet will serve the same basic purpose.
PAPRIKA SUBSTITUTES




Common chili powder ingredients:
That said, black pepper or white pepper has a distinct spiciness and heat level that can match what paprika brings to the table. In fact, I add the same amount of ground black pepper or white pepper when using it to substitute hot paprika in my recipe.
There are three different types of paprika; this spice is either sweet, or hot, or smoked. Understanding these three characteristics often help determine where a particular kind of paprika is from. “Regular” paprika tends to be sweeter, not really hot, and can be from California, Hungary, or South America. There are 8 different kinds of Hungarian paprika, and they can be sweet, hot, or pungent, and range in color from vibrant red to light brown. Spanish paprika is usually smoked, and can be mild or hot.
Paprika is a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. In addition, paprika has some minerals like zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.