Because they’re occasionally found in recipes together, you may assume that paprika and cayenne are somewhat interchangeable since they both look like ground red pepper. Both come from dried peppers, have a deep red color, and feature a slightly smoky flavor. However, that’s where the similarities end.

The Vibrant Spectrum of Paprika

We know it may be very tempting to simply swap in that ketchup sitting in the fridge, but spiciness is a primary expectation of chili sauce, and there’s obviously none in ketchup. Plus, it’s very simple to spice up that ketchup with chipotle or cayenne pepper to at least provide some heat.

Smoked paprika is made by smoking the peppers before grinding them into a powder. It has a deep, smoky flavor and is often used in Spanish cuisine, where it is used to flavor chorizo sausage, paella, and other dishes. Smoked paprika is also used to add a smoky flavor to grilled meats and vegetables.

You may have come across “chili sauce” as an ingredient for your next great recipe find. But this term is just about as generic as can be in the world of spicy food. What is chili sauce, exactly? And what would be a good chili sauce substitute if you don’t have what’s called for in the pantry? Let’s review your top chili sauce alternatives, as well as one commonly used, but not recommended.

Paprika’s colour and flavour reduce the longer it’s cooked. So add it at the end of your cooking to make sure you make the most of its wonderful shade and taste. Compared to other spices, you can use paprika quite liberally without overpowering other ingredients, so don’t be afraid to be generous. Paprika burns quite easily due to its high sugar content, so it’s best cooked with a little oil over a low heat and don’t forget to keep stirring.

While the smoked variant is the responsible ingredient for the smoky flavor in many recipes, sweet paprika gives your dishes a fruity, sweet and slightly bitter flavor with very little to no heat at all. If you happen to spot the usual bottle that just says paprika, that’s most likely the regular or sweet variant.