Adding Color and Flavor to Dips and Spreads: Paprika powder is a common ingredient in dips such as hummus and spreads like pimento cheese, providing both color and a subtle smoky flavor.
Paprika Powder
There is no easy answer to where paprika comes from. While paprika is closely associated with Hungary and Hungarian cuisine, paprika peppers did not arrive in that part of the world until the mid to late 16th century. The origin of all peppers can be traced to South America, where they grew wild and were distributed throughout South and Central America, mostly by birds. Eventually, peppers were cultivated, and native traders travelling through these regions carried them across the Caribbean as cargo in dugout canoes.


Compared to other substitutes in this list, bell peppers are generally sweet, mild, and tangy which somewhat fits the description of sweet paprika. When using this as a backup, note that your dish will have an intriguing yet bright flavor profile that better suits pasta, chicken, salads, and soup recipes. To add to its impressive list of qualities, it’s also incredibly aromatic that adds overall allure to the dish.
regular paprika.

homemade paprika powder exporter.
Why We Love It: This Louisiana-style hot sauce features Cajun-inspired herbs and spices along with reaper peppers to deliver a truly bewitching experience. Try it on your gumbo and crawfish or branch out and add a dash to pizza, wings, and more. With a perfect balance of flavor and fire, you’ll keep coming back for more. And if this one is too spicy for your liking, check out the mild-mannered Sweeter Reaper Hot Sauce.
Your Culinary Adventure Awaits
Got dried paprika peppers and ready to grind them up? Let’s spice things up in the kitchen! Here’s a fun and easy way to grind your paprika:
Incorporate this with a 1:1 Cajun spice to smoked paprika ratio (more if your bottle at home is milder or less if it’s spicier).
It’s best recognized for the nuanced spicy kick it adds to deviled eggs, stuffed bell pepper, and hummus, and is also a well-known chili powder substitute for a wide variety of dishes. Now in case you’ve run out of this essential spice, let’s explore paprika substitute options you can try below.