Turn up the Heat With These Cayenne Pepper Substitutes
The heat is on (but not too much!) with these swaps for cayenne.
Cayenne pepper is a plant related to other pepper varieties, like bell peppers, serranos, and jalapeños. When the peppers mature, they are harvested and used whole or dried and finely ground to a powder. Cayenne brings a beautifully subtle heat that spices up dishes like pasta, chili, and savory rubs,
If your pantry is painfully empty and you're looking for a cayenne substitute, we've got you covered.
Related: Cayenne Pepper vs. Chili Powder: What's the Difference?
What Does Cayenne Pepper Taste Like and How Is It Used?
The cayenne pepper is considered to be moderately spicy and measures between 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units or SHU. In terms of heat, cayenne peppers are ranked above the serrano and below chile de arbol.
Cayenne peppers adds a dash of color and heat to seafood, meats and stews, soups, egg dishes, casseroles, cheese dishes, sauces, and curries
Get the recipe: Blackened Seasoning Mix
Best Cayenne Substitutes
Sweet or Hot Paprika
Sweet paprika is widely available in stores and can be a suitable substitute for cayenne pepper in recipes. It provides a similar flavor to cayenne, but paprika has a noticeabley milder presence.
Hot paprika is a closer match for cayenne pepper as a substitute ingredient as it has more heat than the sweet version. Use either one of these paprika spices as a a substitute in sauces, stews, meatloaf and dips.
Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes will provide some heat but a different texture with the tiny pieces of pepper. The pepper flakes are a bit more tame when it comes to heat so the amount of red pepper flakes can be increased in a recipe. This substitute can liven up sauces, pasta dishes, pizza, and grilled vegetables.
Related: What Is Chili Powder and Can You Make Your Own?
Chili Powder
Many brands of chili powder found in the spice aisle have a good amount of cayenne pepper as an ingredient. As a general rule, chili powder and ground cayenne can be used interchangeably in recipes. Use chili powder in sauces, stews, marinades, and meat dishes.
Chipotle Powder
Chipotle has a smoky and peppery taste that is similar to cayenne. It doesn't deliver as much fire as the cayenne powder, so the amount used as a replacement will need to be adjusted according to taste and heat preference.
Cumin
Cumin is a spice that brings warmth and earthiness to a dish but it does not have the heat presence of a cayenne powder. Use this spice as a replacement for cayenne in rice dishes, stews, and soups.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking With Cumin
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce can replace some of the heat that cayenne provides in a dish. Look for a sauce with a short list of ingredients to get as close as possible to a concentrated pepper taste. This liquid dash of heat works well with hearty bowls of chili, pasta, and dips.
Fresh Cayenne Peppers
Fresh peppers can be substituted for cayenne but be careful when handling them and wear gloves. The heat lives in the seeds!
Serrano Pepper
Serrano peppers can step in for cayenne peppers in a recipe that calls for fresh pepper flavor. Start with a small amount and adjust to your heat preference as these peppers are up to five times hotter than the jalapeño. Serrano peppers are used in making pico de gallo, salsa, chili and meat dishes.
Jalapeno Pepper
Cayenne and jalapeño peppers are varieties of the same species so they work as substitutes for one another in recipes. Jalapenos are considered to be a milder pepper compared to cayenne, so use a bit more to compensate.
Related:
Read the original article on All Recipes.
