Flavor and appearance are two things that paprika provides to the kitchen table in plenty. Paprika, which is made by crushing the dried pods of bell peppers or chili peppers, gives dishes a beautiful red color and spiciness. Both sweet and hot smoked paprika can be used to significantly enhance the flavor of a wide range of foods, including soups, stews, and pork and poultry.
But, having a backup option for paprika comes in useful in case you run out or if the paprika jar in your spice cabinet starts to lose its flavor. Whether you want to use paprika for its red color, extra spice, or as a vibrant garnish, we have everything you need.
If your supply of this staple spice runs out, don’t worry—check out our guide on 6 fiery replacements for paprika to always have some extra spiciness and flavor in your meals.
1. Cayenne Pepper
Although cayenne is hotter and more potent than paprika, it can still be used as a stand-in when needed in recipes calling for a lot of heat and spice. Here, the word “pinch” is crucial. To avoid the intense, spicy taste, substitute ½ teaspoon or even ⅓ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper for the one teaspoon of paprika called for in your recipe. A sweetener like honey combined with cayenne can impart the unique sweetness and richness that paprika usually offers.
2. Chili Powder
Chili powder can be used in place of paprika in almost any recipe because, despite the word “chili” being in the name, it lacks the same level of heat as cayenne pepper. Chili powder, which is made from hot chili peppers, has a flavor that is well-rounded, balanced, and slightly spicy, giving it a flavor profile that is similar to paprika in savory meals.
3. Hot Sauce
Whether it’s regular Tabasco, chili sauce, or any other type of pepper sauce you have in your cabinet, hot sauce makes a wonderful substitute for paprika in recipes where the main purpose of the spice is flavor and spice. A hot sauce will undoubtedly improve the flavor even though it might not produce the same rich red color as paprika.
4. Chipotle Powder
If you’ve ever used chipotle sauce in a recipe, you are aware of its smokey, spicy flavor—similar to that of hot paprika. The same smokey, spicy flavor found in chipotle powder adds depth and spice to any recipe that asks for smoked hot paprika. It can also be used in place of sweet paprika to give dishes a hotter flavor instead of sweetness. Replace any hot or sweet paprika with equal amounts of chipotle powder.
5. Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes are a popular spice for giving food a more concentrated kick of heat, so they’re a wonderful substitute for paprika if you want to add some smoky flavor along with a lot of hot and spicy heat.
When using red pepper flakes in place of paprika, taste as you go to ensure you achieve the desired amount of heat. Red pepper flakes can vary in spiciness depending on how they’re created and what peppers they’re made from.
6. Black Pepper
Black pepper, the spice you keep on your kitchen counter all the time, might be your greatest substitute for paprika. Whatever you’re cooking, pepper gives any meal that may call for paprika the perfect amount of heat and flavor, especially if the flavor overrides the color.
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