What is a good substitute for Calabrian chili paste?
Emma Horne
Published Mar 15, 2026
What is a good substitute for Calabrian chili paste?
If you can’t find fresh Calabrian chilies, you can look for Calabrian chili paste or oil. Anaheim peppers, chili flakes, and Serrano peppers all make excellent substitutes for Calabrian chilies. They have a similar flavor and texture to the Calabrian chilies and are much easier to source.
What can I substitute for Calabrian peppers?
Serrano peppers
If you do not have access to the chilies, you can try looking for Calabrian Hot Chili Oil. If you wish to replace it with another type of chili, consider Serrano peppers, Fresno chilies, or simply use crushed red pepper flakes.
What is Calabrian hot pepper paste?
Calabrian chili pepper paste is made from, you guessed it, Calabrian chili peppers. These peppers are native to the Calabria region of Italy, or the toe of Italy’s “boot,” if you will. To make them into a paste, dried Calabrian peppers (peperoncino) are crushed with olive oil, and sometimes salt and vinegar.
Can I substitute sambal oelek for Calabrian chili paste?
It will add heat to dishes and perhaps even a sweetness (depending on additional ingredients), though it will lack the smoky flavor. The texture will also be different since the pieces are larger. If you’re in a pinch, Sambal Oelek will do as a substitute.
What can I use instead of Turkish red pepper paste?
But you don’t really need all three types; tomato paste and sweet red pepper paste are enough. Italian-style tomato paste is a fine substitute for Turkish tomato paste—though the latter, sold in big jars, is more economical.
Can I use Sriracha instead of chili paste?
We recommend Sriracha sauce as a very good chili paste alternative. It’s thicker than most hot sauces and rich in chili pepper flavor. You could also thicken it further by adding in paprika to the Sriracha sauce.
How spicy are Calabrian peppers?
Calabrian peppers are a medium-hot chili (25,000 to 40,000 Scoville heat units). To put that in perspective, they’re between three and 16 times hotter than Jalapeño peppers; they’re generally considered slightly milder than cayenne peppers.
What do Calabrian chiles taste like?
The chili is small but oozes flavor, with a combination and variety of tastes that is simply unique. Although predominantly spicy, there is also a salty, smoky and even fruity taste to this delicious peppers. It is almost blood red in color, reminiscent of the famous Ferrari red which also originates from Italy.
Is Calabrian pepper hot?
What can I use instead of chili paste?
3 Best Chilli Bean Sauce Substitutes
- Miso Paste + Tabasco Hot Sauce. Miso is a Japanese fermented soybean paste that adds complex savoury flavours.
- Sriracha. This Thai hot sauce also has chilli as the number one ingredients.
- Sriracha + Miso Paste.
What is Turkish pepper paste called?
Pepper or capsicum paste, known as biber salçası, is a common element in Turkish cuisine. Called biber salçası in Turkish, pepper paste is incorporated into a wide variety of dishes, and used in much the same way (and sometimes in tandem with) tomato paste.
What is the best substitute for Calabrian chili paste?
These are some exotic and sizzling substitute for Calabrian chili paste you can go for intensifying your cuisine. If you possess cooking skills and some simple ingredients, then you can make homemade spicy chili paste for yourself. You will be needed to add the following enlisted ingredients: One tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes.
What is Calabrian pepper paste made from?
Calabrian chili pepper paste is made from, you guessed it, Calabrian chili peppers. These peppers are native to the Calabria region of Italy, or the toe of Italy’s “boot,” if you will. Their flavor is described as smoky, salty, and, of course, spicy.
What is Calabrian peperoncini?
It is made from the Calabrian chili peppers that are native to the region of Italy. These peperoncini are ground into a paste with olive oil. Sometimes salt and vinegar are also used for the crushing of peppers. This spicy paste is used in a variant of dishes to add heat and taste.
What is peperoncino pepper paste?
To make them into a paste, dried Calabrian peppers (peperoncino) are crushed with olive oil, and sometimes salt and vinegar. The result is a spicy condiment that’s used to bring heat to anything from pasta dishes to sandwiches and much more. Keep reading to get more recipe inspiration for this authentic Italian condiment.