Paprika is a versatile spice derived from dried and ground red bell peppers or chili peppers. It comes in various forms, including sweet, smoked, and hot. Paprika is cherished for its vibrant color and ability to infuse dishes with a rich, earthy flavor and a hint of sweetness.
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The big difference between these two mixtures is the consistency. Sauces such as hot sauces are more liquid than pastes. It is meant to lightly coat food and even enhance the taste of the food instead of covering it up with its taste. Pastes meanwhile are thicker, more viscous, and more concentrated. It’s common to see pastes such as sriracha spread onto food in a light layer instead of being allowed to coat it.


Chili Pepper
Q: Are there different types of paprika? A: Yes, paprika comes in various types, including sweet, smoked, and hot, each with its own flavor and heat profile.
The heat comes from red jalapeño peppers, and there’s a definite heat here, so Sriracha isn’t the solution for big proportions in context to the recipe. But it’s so well-rounded as a sauce, it’s a must have in the cupboard for when the need arises. You’ll find a lot of culinary use cases.
Buying crushed red pepper in bulk is a practical choice for kitchens that frequently use this versatile spice. Whether you prefer mild or spicy options, purchasing in bulk ensures a steady supply and cost savings. Bulk crushed red pepper is available in various packaging sizes, from small bags to large containers, catering to both home cooks and commercial establishments. It is a convenient way to stock up on this essential spice, ensuring it is readily available for seasoning and garnishing dishes.


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.

