Tomato sauce sports a nice bright red color and a sweet taste that mimics that of the sweet paprika. However, these qualities alone without the spice are not enough as a swap. Mixing it with chili powder will add the heat that tomato sauce lacks. There’s a catch, however. Since this backup is wet, it’s only good for recipes like stews and soups. 

While smoked paprika gives a dish depth, sweet paprika is a classic staple and can be used in almost every dish alongside garlic and onion. Use the following spices instead to get the paprika flavor when you don’t have any on hand.

Why We Love It: With a combination of four of the hottest hot peppers around in addition to a hefty dose of pure pepper extract, this is our hottest hot sauce to date. Not for the faint of heart, this hardcore chili-head favorite doesn’t just deliver a mind-blowingly hot experience, but it also provides an enjoyable flavor experience (once you regain your sense of taste, that is). Try it in your chili or challenge your friends to try a drop straight-up; either way, we guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself. 

You'll find that smoked paprika is also available in mild (dulce), semi-hot (agridulce), and hot (picante) varieties, so you can definitely use it as a substitute for hot paprika. Like cayenne pepper powder, it can enhance the flavor and aroma of your dish because of its distinct smoky flavor.