Smoked paprika, such as Spanish pimentón, is made from peppers that have been smoked over oak fires, giving it a distinct smoky flavor. This type of paprika can be sweet or hot, and its spiciness can vary depending on the specific variety. The smoky flavor adds depth to dishes and is often used in recipes like barbecue, paella, and marinades.

Red paprika and red chili powders are not the same product at all, they are completely different. Red chili powder can be made from any type of chili pepper whereas red paprika is made from the paprika plant, a special type of pepper with a milder flavor. This is why some red chilies have a very mild flavor, similar to that of bell peppers, which is not typical for most red paprikas. The main difference between these two types of powder is how they are used, each has its own unique uses.

So, let’s focus on chili powder, or the spice blend that is used to make chili con carne, tacos, and delicious meat rubs. This is genuinely one of my favorite spices, as it alone can often be enough to flavor an entire dish.

Lastly, let’s talk about cayenne powder. Cayenne is probably the simplest spice in this article, as it contains just one ingredient: Cayenne pepper.

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).

Another worthy replacement for smoked paprika is ancho chili powder. It’s made from dried and ground ancho chiles. This pepper is more common in Mexican cooking but found its way into the United States by way of Tex Mex cuisine. They offer mild to medium heat that only ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 SHU. It has a deep, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. For this reason, you don’t have to worry as much when using this as a replacement as it won’t overpower your dish as easily compared to chipotle powder. To use as an effective backup, you can incorporate exactly how much a recipe calls for smoked paprika.

Mix Up the Peppers

While bell peppers may not be spicy, it doesn't make them any less pleasing than hot chilies. In fact, many of you may already be eating bell peppers in their dried, ground form, or as paprika. Yes, that deep red spice in your cupboard called paprika is in fact made from red bell peppers. Use fresh bell peppers or paprika just like you would spicy chilies. A fantastic thing to do with bell peppers is to combine them with hot chilies, which will both tone down the heat and add a new layer of flavor. The possibilities are truly endless.