The heat of peppers is measured using the Scoville Heat Scale, which ranks the heat of a given pepper in units known as Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Bell peppers of all colors register zero SHU, meaning they're not hot at all. Jalapeños are medium, measuring 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, while extremely hot chiles like habaneros or Scotch bonnets come in at 100,000 to 350,000 SHU.
Paprika is a widespread spice used in all kinds of sweet and savory recipes, from soups and stews to main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Commonly used because of the sweet and flavorful kick it provides to dishes and the pretty red hue it adds, you might find it in plenty of recipes. So what to do when you run out of it and need a replacement? The options are varied and depend on your heat tolerance and what the overall flavor profile is you're looking for.
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Thanks to its versatility, it can be used as a condiment, seasoning, or marinade for all sorts of dishes. So go ahead and give it a try in your next recipe!
Guajillo chili powder also has a reddish brown color instead of bright red, so keep this in mind if you're very particular about the resulting color of what you're preparing.
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.


Paprika is widely used in a variety of cuisines around the world. It is a key ingredient in dishes such as Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella, and Indian curries. Its vibrant color makes it a popular garnish for dishes like deviled eggs, potato salad, and hummus. Paprika is also used in spice blends, marinades, and rubs to add flavor and color to meats, vegetables, and rice dishes.
Overall, organic turmeric powder manufacturers play a crucial role in providing consumers with a high-quality product that is not only delicious but also beneficial for their health. By choosing organic turmeric powder, consumers can enjoy the numerous health benefits of turmeric while supporting sustainable and ethical practices in the food industry.
Apart from Indian dishes, red chili powder is used in other south Asian and some far eastern Asian cuisines as well.