Have you run out of Paprika and are wondering what you could possibly use instead? This post is going to look at several Paprika alternatives including spices that taste like or similar to paprika.

Why You Might Need Paprika Alternatives

There are sometimes occasions where you go to make a specific meal or dish and discover you have run out of a particular ingredient.

This especially happens to me with spices, as they don’t often need replacing (expect for Tumeric, we seem to get through loads of that!) unless I put them on my shopping list the minute they run out, I tend to forget to buy them.

However, being out of an ingredient, in this case, Paprika, doesn’t mean you should abandon your cooking plans completely. There are several spices and even some foods that can be used as a Paprika alternative.

What Is Paprika?

Paprika is a spice made from the plant Capsicum annuum. Its fruits are dried and then ground. It has a very mild flavour.

The peppers used to make Paprika are most often found in North America, especially Mexico. Because of its mild flavour Paprika is often used to add a splash of colour, rather than adding a strong flavour.

Paprika comes in different varieties including sweet paprika and smoked paprika.

There is also Hot Paprika (also sometimes called Hungarian Paprika) which has a very strong, spicy flavour and is much hotter than normal paprika.

So, What Can Be Used As Paprika Substitutes?

There are a few different spices and a fruit that can be used as paprika substitutes when cooking. Which you choose to use will depend on the dish you making and how you want it to taste.

With some dishes, for example, potato salad, paprika adds a bit of colour, rather than adding any great amount of flavour. Whereas dishes like Goulash or Chili con carne Paprika adds a lot of the flavour too.

First of all, I am going to take a look at some spices like Paprika that could be used as an alternative.

Spices Like Paprika

Below are some spices that have a very similar flavour to Paprika. Most of them do have a much stronger, spicier flavour though, so you may need to adjust the amount you use. You could also try adding a little at a time (rather than the amount that the recipe calls for) until you’re happy with the taste and heat levels.

Also, Sweet Paprika and Smoked Paprika are very similar to just ‘Paprika’ so can be used pretty interchangeably without the overall flavour of the dish being affected too much, although of course, hot paprika will make the dish spicier.

Can I use Cayenne Pepper instead of Paprika? 

Cayenne pepper is probably the most similar spice to Paprika in terms of flavour and colour, however, it does have a hotter, spicer taste.

It can definitely be used as a substitute for Paprika but you may need to adjust the amount used to ensure the dish your making doesn’t become too spicy. If the dish has other hot ingredients, such as chilli peppers, you may wish to reduce the amount used.

If your recipe calls for Hot Paprika (also know as Hungarian Paprika) this is probably the most similar option that you will find.

Is Chilli Powder a good Substitute for Paprika?

Chilli powder can be a good substitute for Paprika, however, it often has other ingredients added to it (such as cumin and sometimes garlic) so it’s worth thinking about whether these ingredients will affect the overall taste of the recipe you’re cooking.

Generally speaking though, chilli powder is a good alternative to paprika – just remember to factor in the extra hotness it’ll add!

Can I use dried Chilli Flakes instead of Paprika?

Chilli flakes can be used instead of Paprika – they’re a great way to add a pop of colour and aren’t as spicy as some of the Paprika alternatives I’ve suggested here.

As chilli flakes are pure chilli, not a spice blend like chilli powder they provide a more similar taste to Paprika.

Ancho Chilli Powder or Aleppo Chilli Powder as Paprika Alternatives

These types of chilli powder are much less common than the spices I have mentioned above. However, if you do happen to have one of them lurking at the back of your cupboard

Paprika Alternatives: Using Red Bell Peppers

Another Paprika alternative is to roast and then puree red bell peppers. While not exactly the same, doing this can produce a similar flavour to Paprika. While it’s a little bit more time-consuming than simply substituting a spice, it is one of the few options that won’t add a large amount of heat to whatever recipe you’re making.

• Cut the bell peppers into quarters and remove the stalk and seeds.
• Roast in the oven at 200 degrees C for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Remove the peppers and allow them to cool.
• Peel the skin and blitz the flesh in a food processor.

I hope this post has given you some good ideas for all the Paprika alternatives you can use if you ever run out!