If you must use red chillies but don’t have any on hand, you may be wondering if there is a substitute for red chillies. This is a common question because many people most likely don’t have a red chilli on hand.
Especially those who don’t often cook, since they have much less red chili peppers at home. This can be a problem when trying to make a recipe that calls for the addition of red chili pepper.
This is a fairly common recipe ingredient in hot recipes, as red chillies can be used dried, fresh, or as a sauce. As such, it is not uncommon to find this ingredient in a variety of recipes.
Read on to find out if there is a substitute for red chili peppers and what your options are if you don’t have that particular ingredient.
Substitute for Red Chili Pepper
If you have a recipe that calls for red chilli, you might be wondering about a red chilli substitute. The good news is that red chillies can be easily substituted if you don’t have them on hand when you need them.
Red chilli is a very common ingredient that you can see in many different recipes. Especially in spicy recipes, as a red chilli brings more heat than any special flavor.
But many people don’t have red chili peppers at home because they don’t use them often enough to buy them. Therefore, you may need to know about substitutes for this type of pepper that you actually have on hand.
Luckily, red chili has a fairly mild flavor and is usually used primarily for the hot spiciness it brings. So it’s a pretty easy ingredient to substitute when a recipe calls for red chili but you don’t have any.
1. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is considered the best substitute for red chillies if you don’t have this ingredient on hand. Cayenne pepper has a similar flavor as well as a similar amount of spiciness it adds to the meal.
This pepper is also red, so it makes for a recipe that looks exactly like you used red chilli. It’s a great option and is more common in most kitchens, even if you don’t cook very often.
2. Serrano peppers
Serrano peppers are a great alternative to red chili if you don’t have that particular ingredient on hand. These are green peppers known for their pungency, which can be overwhelming if not used carefully.
Serrano peppers are significantly spicier than red chillies, so use them with caution and decrease the amount specified in the recipe. As long as you do, this can be a great substitute if you have serrano peppers.
It’s best to use fresh peppers instead of dried ones as they are of better quality and dried serrano peppers can be difficult to find.
3. Jalapeno pepper
Jalapeño peppers are another type of green pepper that brings flavor and spice. These can be a great alternative to red chili if you’re making a recipe but don’t have that ingredient.
Jalapeño peppers have a similar level of spiciness to red chillies in that they aren’t overpoweringly hot but still bring the spiciness. Just remember that jalapeño peppers have a very distinct flavor that makes itself felt.
So they will not be the best alternative depending on the type of meal you are preparing as you will taste the jalapeño flavor. You can often reduce this flavor by boiling down the jalapeños, as this will make them milder.
4. Paprika powder
Bell peppers are a very common substitute for red chillies because they are red and have a similar level of spiciness. Paprika also has a fairly mild flavor so it won’t be very noticeable in the dish you add it to.
Paprika is really only sold as a powder, so you’ll need to make adjustments if the recipe calls for fresh red chili. This spice is much more common in kitchens, so chances are you have the substitute on hand.
5. Black pepper
Black pepper is one of the most common spices that the majority of people will already have in their kitchen. It is added to a variety of dishes to add a spice kick that is considered quite mild.
Black pepper has a dark and earthy flavor that is very mild and often doesn’t come through in dishes. As such, it is typically used for its spice cake, which is just enough to get the heat but not overwhelmingly hot.
If you’re using a recipe that calls for red chili pepper, you can substitute black pepper to get that heat element. It won’t have that bright red color or red chilli flavor, but it will add a zest to your dish.
6. White pepper
White pepper is another great alternative to red chili when you need something that offers a heating element. White pepper is pretty much identical to black pepper except that the black outer skin has been removed.
White pepper has also been aged longer, resulting in a deeper and earthier flavor that can be a little more noticeable. It’s just as hot as black pepper and a great option if you don’t have anything else on hand.
7. Sriracha sauce
If you need to substitute red chilli, sriracha sauce is a great option as many people have this spice on hand. This is a red hot sauce that has a light and slightly sweet flavor as well as a lot of spiciness.
It can be a great substitute for red chillies, especially since it’s that red color. You may need to adjust the measurements based on the type of red chilli you want, as sriracha comes in the form of a sauce.
This is a good substitute as long as not too much red chilli is needed as sriracha has a recognizable flavor.
8. Harissa Paste
Harissa paste is made from a combination of spices to create a bright red paste that’s packed with flavor and pungency. This can be a great substitute for red chillies when you need something to bring out that red color and spiciness.
Keep in mind that harissa paste will be much spicier than regular red chili pepper. As such, it’s generally best used when the recipe doesn’t call for a lot of red chilli.
Or it could be a great substitute if you’re looking for a spicy ingredient that packs more punch. Because harissa paste has a very complex flavor that gives you a variety of spices that come through in the dish.
