Substitutes for Smoked Paprika

Smoked paprika is a common component in a wide range of recipes. It not only imparts an exquisite and distinct flavor to your cuisine, but it also imparts a lovely crimson color to it. As a result, if you enjoy experimenting with flavors and colors, this is a must-have item in your kitchen.

Originally from Spain, smoked paprika is today used all over the world. It is manufactured from capsicum peppers after lengthy smoking, drying, and grinding procedures. As a result, you’ll have a smokey red powder ready to transform your everyday cuisine into something special.

If you live in Spain, there is no need to be alarmed. Nevertheless, you may not purchase it in stores in other countries. In this instance, choose one of the smoked paprika replacements mentioned below. You may also mix these options for the greatest results.

Regular paprika powder, sweet paprika powder, Hungarian paprika powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, cajun spice, chili powder, tomato powder, chipotle powder, guajillo pepper powder, ancho pepper powder, Pimenton de la Verra, smoked sea salt, liquid smoke, and chili sauce are the best substitutes for smoked paprika.

Substitutes for smoked paprika

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to smoked paprika, and the list below will assist you in selecting the best alternative for your recipe.

•  Regular paprika powder

Many people mix up regular and smoked paprika. Yes, they do resemble each other, and they do, however, taste different. Regular paprika has a mild, even somewhat sweet taste, and smoked paprika provides a more prosperous and robust flavor.

Despite this distinction, you may substitute ordinary paprika powder for smoked paprika in practically any recipe. However, because it is less potent, you must use more of it in your diet.

• Sweet paprika powder

Many individuals dislike the strong flavor that smoked paprika imparts to our foods. For that reason, if you’re seeking a smoked paprika replacement, consider sweet paprika.

Your dish will have the same appearance but a softer flavor. It’s also an excellent option if you’re starting in the kitchen. Sweet paprika, unlike smoked paprika, cannot be overused, and it’s also a good substitute if you’re cooking something for kids.

• Hungarian paprika powder

If you want intense flavors, Hungarian paprika powder may be the ideal substitute for smoked paprika. It is a sort of paprika powder that is substantially stronger than ordinary or sweet paprika.

In contrast to sweet paprika, Hungarian paprika must be used with extreme caution. Taste your food several times while it is cooking since adding too much can quickly spoil your dish.

• Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is another spice that some confuse with smoked paprika.

It’s not surprising because cayenne pepper has a trace of smoke, giving it a flavor close to but not identical to smoked paprika. As a result, smoked paprika may be substituted for cayenne pepper.

Cayenne pepper may be used in soups, omelets, and sauces. Because cayenne pepper is quite hot, use just one-third the amount of smoked paprika.

• Red pepper flakes

Because red pepper flakes are manufactured from the same pepper as cayenne pepper, you may substitute it for smoked paprika if you have it on hand.

It mixes nicely with spaghetti and may also be sprinkled on pizza to add a little zing. You may use mild or spicy flakes, but cut the amount in half if you choose hot.

• Cajun spice

Cajun spice is made up of cayenne pepper, black pepper, and white pepper. It may be used as a replacement for smoked paprika in the same way that cayenne pepper can.

The result will be better since the flavor of the pepper combination tastes more like smoked paprika than cayenne pepper alone. You may use the cajun spice in the same foods that you would use cayenne pepper.

• Chili powder

Chili powder is a dried chile powder that originated in Mexico. If you don’t have smoked paprika available, chili powder might come in handy in various dishes.

Chili powder is typically found in chili con carne and other bean-based meals. When all of the other ingredients are combined and ready to cook, add them to the saucepan. You should also add a little sugar to bring out the flavor of the chili.

• Tomato powder

Tomato powder is the next best thing to smoke paprika. It’s a fantastic substitute if you want your meal to look red but don’t mind if it lacks a smokey flavor.

It may be used in soups and baked goods, and it will add some color and flavor to your cuisine. In addition to tomato powder, tomato paste and even raw tomatoes can be used.

• Chipotle powder

If you want your dish to taste like the original, use chipotle powder for the smoked paprika, and it’s created using smoked dried jalapeno pepper.

In any recipe, smoked paprika can be substituted for chipotle powder, and it has a deeper color and a more robust flavor than smoked paprika. Therefore I recommend using less.

• Guajillo pepper powder

Guajillo pepper powder, another Mexican spice, works equally, and chili powder replaces smoked paprika. It has a smokey, somewhat sweet flavor that adds a distinct and delightful flavor to every meal.

Guajillo pepper powder improves the flavor of any meat. However, it also goes well with vegetables. It’s commonly used in Mexican recipes like tacos. Use the same quantity of smoked paprika as specified in your original recipe as a replacement.

• Ancho pepper powder

Ancho pepper is also a superb powdered substitute for smoked paprika, and it is comparable to guajillo pepper but less smoky.

Ancho pepper powder, like guajillo, is a terrific option in Mexican-style meals, but it also works well in any warm dish as a smoky paprika alternative.

Use 1.5 times the amount of ancho pepper powder as you would smoked paprika.

• Pimenton de la Vera

Pimenton de la Vera, like smoked paprika, is a must-have ingredient in Spanish cooking. It tastes and looks similar to smoked paprika, so that you may substitute it in a variety of dishes.

Pimenton de la Vera complements lamb stews, potatoes, and roasted almonds well. It comes in three varieties in supermarkets: sweet, bitter-sweet, and spicy. Hot paprika is the ideal option for smoked paprika.

• Smoked sea salt

Because the substitutes above have a similar hue to smoked paprika, they will make your food seem identical to the original. However, many of them will lack the smokey taste that smoked paprika is known for.

Smoked sea salt is an excellent alternative to add a smokey flavor to your food without using smoked paprika. If you use smoked sea salt instead of regular sea salt, don’t add extra salt to your dish or become overly salty.

• Liquid smoke

Liquid smoke, like smoked sea salt, imparts a smokey flavor to your cuisine. It is a natural result of wood burning that may be found in little bottles in many places.

It will not, however, turn your meal crimson, and it is not always an issue. If you want your meal to have the same appearance as the original, mix liquid smoke with a red spice from the list.

Also, be cautious with the liquid smoke, and it has a robust flavor; I propose using 14 teaspoon liquid smoke instead of 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.

• Chili sauce

Instead, you can use chili sauce if you don’t have chili powder or any red-colored powder to substitute for the smoked paprika.

Chili sauce, in addition to chili powder, contains oil, vinegar, and water, which will enhance the flavor of your cuisine. It works well in one-bowl dishes and tortillas.

Related Questions

Is pimento synonymous with smoked paprika?

Yes, smoked paprika is known as pimento in Spanish, and that is, they are the same.

Is it possible to manufacture smoked paprika from ordinary paprika?

You certainly can. The peppers must be smoked and then dried. However, it is a time-consuming process that will take a lot of patience.

Can I use ground cumin instead of smoked paprika?

When you combine ground cumin with plain paprika powder, the flavor is exceptionally close to smoked paprika.