Bell pepper, on the other hand, is a vegetable that is commonly used in cooking. It comes in various colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange. Bell peppers are typically eaten raw or cooked, and they have a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.

FAQ: Can I use paprika instead of crushed red pepper, or vice versa, and what impact does it have on a dish?

Even though it's easily available in stores and online, I prefer to make my Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce at home. I know that sounds like one extra thing to do - but hear me out. Making this Asian sauce at home is insanely easy. It requires minimal prep, most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and the cooking process is mostly hands free.

I also would like to mention that there's a type of hot paprika popular in Europe: the Hungarian variety. It is also available in different coarseness and heat levels, so hot paprika is often called Hungarian paprika.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Make the Switch

Because paprika and cayenne come from peppers, both can technically trace their roots back to the Americas. However, the two spices don’t come from the same kind of pepper—nor are they prepared the same way.

Golden Goose Egg Secret #2 of making delicious Chiu Chow sauce at home is that the key salt component and distinctive flavor profile comes from the addition of soy sauce. Shockingly unorthodox, I know, but it adds that signature dark color and rich, umami flavor.

Paprika originates from central Mexico, but it was brought to Europe in the 16th century by Christopher Columbus. Sometime after, paprika made its way to Hungary, and has been a staple food there ever since. Paprika is the Hungarian word for pepper. It’s the country’s national spice, and they spoon it on to pretty much any dish you can think of – from soups, stews and sauces to rice and eggs. It plays the starring role in Hungary’s most celebrated dish – goulash (a warming winter stew made from red meat, onions, potatoes and vegetables, served over egg noodles).

The taste and flavor profile of red paprika is very different from that of red chili powder. Red chili powder has an earthy and pungent taste. It is rarely used alone, but added to other spices and condiments in any dish. Depending on the kind of red chili powder used, it brings some degree of heat to the food.

What's a substitute for paprika? is a question you can now easily answer with the help of my list. Simply choose the best paprika substitute for your specific recipe and follow the how-tos and tips I have provided for each ingredient alternative.

Both paprika and bell pepper contain some amount of carbohydrates, but they have a low glycemic index, which means they do not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.

The heat of peppers is measured using the Scoville Heat Scale, which ranks the heat of a given pepper in units known as Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Bell peppers of all colors register zero SHU, meaning they're not hot at all. Jalapeños are medium, measuring 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, while extremely hot chiles like habaneros or Scotch bonnets come in at 100,000 to 350,000 SHU.