But while it’s a good fit in terms of flavor, its appearance might not be a good substitute because of its reddish-brown color. If you don’t mind the slight visual differences, we suggest adding guajillo in slow progression until you reach your desired taste.

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.

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.

Negative Aspects:

Now, to use cajun spice as a substitute for paprika, add it gradually to your recipe. Make a taste test before adding more. I usually start with one-eight of a teaspoon for every teaspoon of paprika the recipe calls for.

But did you know it requires heat to bring out its spicy flavor? It's why it's best to use it in recipes that require cooking.

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).

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.