Paprika is a widespread spice used in all kinds of sweet and savory recipes, from soups and stews to main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Commonly used because of the sweet and flavorful kick it provides to dishes and the pretty red hue it adds, you might find it in plenty of recipes. So what to do when you run out of it and need a replacement? The options are varied and depend on your heat tolerance and what the overall flavor profile is you're looking for.
Paprika Powder
When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he was the first European to have an encounter with any sort of chile pepper plant. He brought the ancestor of all paprika back with him to Europe and specifically to his patrons, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The king and queen did not care for their fiery heat and sent them to a monastery to be studied. These monks sent them further along across Spain and Portugal. From there, chile peppers made their way across Europe. Some peppers stayed spicy, like those in Calabria, but other European cultures experimented with their breeding and created the sweet and flavorful varieties of peppers that give us paprika today.
Carne con chili, or chili con carne, is a renowned Tex-Mex dish that showcases the versatility of chili peppers. It features tender meat, usually beef, simmered with chili peppers, tomatoes, beans, and spices until flavors meld into a hearty stew. The key to a flavorful carne con chili lies in the quality of the chili used, whether it's fresh peppers, chili powder, or pure paprika.
COMMON RED PEPPER VARIETIES
Transfer to a clean jar. In our experience, the sauce stores well at the coldest part of the refrigerator (e.g., in the way back) for a good 2-3 months. And, of course, always dip into it with a clean spoon/chopsticks to preserve it. If there’s any foul smell or the sound of gas escaping when you crack it open, discard it. But we’re betting it doesn’t last past the 2-week mark!

To make ancho powder, you’ll need to take the stems out of your bell peppers before popping them into a food dehydrator. Get them to a point where they’re brittle and then put them into a cotton bag before you grind them.
If you don’t have a good dehydrator, you can achieve the same dried peppers by putting them into the oven at around 50ºC.
The great thing about using this method is that the bell pepper powder will be bursting with flavour and so much more fragrant.


Opt for an Entirely Different Spice
Capsicum extract is derived from the fruit of the capsicum plant, commonly known as chili peppers. This extract is rich in capsaicin, the active component responsible for the pepper's heat. Capsicum extract is widely used in dietary supplements and topical creams for its pain-relieving properties. It works by desensitizing nerve receptors, making it an effective remedy for conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and neuropathy. Additionally, capsicum extract has thermogenic properties that can boost metabolism and aid in weight management, making it a popular ingredient in health and fitness products.