While it's a good paprika substitute when you want mild spiciness and heat when using a 1:1 substitution ratio, you can increase the amount added for more heat. Specifically, you can double the amount of what's listed in your recipe for hot paprika.

Aleppo chili powder has a milder heat level than hot paprika. I will describe it as a middle ground between cayenne pepper powder and spicy paprika. Thus, it's a good substitute for paprika if you want to tone down the spiciness and heat of your recipe.

So, as you likely know, cayenne powder is particularly hot and spicy. As a result, it is primarily used to add heat, not flavor, to food. A little goes a long way with cayenne powder, so most recipes will call for relatively small quantities (usually 1/8-1/4 teaspoon for a whole meal).

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.

Today, hot sauce comes in a wide array of flavors, heat levels, and ingredients, varying greatly from region to region. For example, Louisiana-style hot sauces emphasize the tangy, sour taste of vinegar, while Asian hot sauces like Sriracha focus more on a balance between heat, sweetness, and garlic.

This type of chili sauce is super popular served as a dip for chilled shrimp and other seafood, though it's a wonderful marinade, a general condiment for topping burgers and hot dogs, or for seasoning dishes like meatloaf.

One thing that you might need to pay attention to is how hot red pepper flakes are. Unlike paprika, you can't find mild, medium, and hot varieties of crushed red pepper flakes.

Frequently Asked Questions