If you are on a constant hunt for substitute for cayenne pepper, your search is over! Adding heat to a dish can instantly transform the meal to something more exciting.
Research shows adding spice, and of course, most often includes heat from peppers in your meals may help reduce your risk of dying from heart disease or cancer.
What Are Cayenne Peppers?
Dating back to the 15th century, cayenne peppers were brought to Europe and were found to be grown in Central and South America. They are a type of chili pepper, and they are 10 to 25 cm long, often thin, with a bright red hue.
Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is the mother of all spices. This reddish-brown spice not only taste great in foods, like in this Rasta Pasta recipe, this Baked Lamb Chops, or in this Vegan BBQ Sauce, the pepper may help reduce the risk of certain health issues as stated above.
Not only do they have some medical benefits, which we recommend you speak with your doctor regarding these benefits, and how it applies to your health; but cayenne pepper is also great for cooking and encompass several nutritional benefits.
- Reduce hunger. This pepper can help reduce hunger, and help you eat less.
- Lower blood pressure. Absolutely consult with your doctor first prior to consuming cayenne as an alternative to lower your blood pressure.
- Pain reliever. Cayenne pepper contain Capsaicin. This is great for treating body aches, and help clearing up the skin.
Substitute For Cayenne Pepper
If you are looking for fitting substitute for cayenne pepper, consider the following options below. These peppers will give that fiery taste you are looking for when they are added to your weeknight main dishes.
African bird’s eye pepper
Depending on where you are in the world, you may come across African bird’s eye pepper. This small chile, grows only about 1 inch, but do not let the size fool you as these peppers are extremely spicy.
Dragon’s Breath Pepper
In contrary to its name, dragon’s breath peppers are not the hottest peppers in the world. The Carolina Reaper is still the official spiciest pepper resulting with the most heat.
Carolina Reaper
You can find this fiery red pepper in the United States. The Carolina Reaper is also listed in the Guinness World Records officially the world’s hottest chile pepper. If you like sweet and spicy foods you’re in luck, the Carolina Reaper is known to have a sweet and fruity flavor, just before the spiciness kicks in.
Komodo Dragon
From the very start the Komodo Dragon do not disappoint. As you first take a bite out of this pepper, your mouth instantly acquainted with the heat, followed by the full effect of the heat this hot fruity pepper has to offer. You can find the Komodo Dragon in the UK it is grown by the largest producer of chillies, Salvatore Genovese.
Naga Viper
Produced in England by chilli farmer Gerald Fowler, and before the Carolina Reaper was even thought of to be the hottest and spiciest pepper in the world, the Naga Viper held that title. According to reports, this pepper grows in a greenhouse during wintry weather.
The pepper is a three-way mixture produced from the Naga Morich, Bhut Jolokia, and the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper.
Naga Morich
Trying international food is one thing, but trying international food with some heat added to it will definitely create an unforgettable experience. Native to North East India and the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, and sometimes refer to as snake or serpent chili, the Nafa Morich pepper is an extremely hot pepper with a unique taste of woody, smoky flavors.
Bhut Jolokia
Known as Nagahari, Bhut jolokia, Bih jolokia, Raja chilli, Borbih jolokiai, or Raja Mircha, the Bhut Jolokia is the ultimate (referred to) Ghost Pepper. You can find it in the Nagaland and Assam region of northeastern India and parts of neighboring Bangladesh. Bhut means “ghost”, and this pepper was referred to that as the flavor and spiciness sneaks in one’s pallet when one least expects it.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion
Native to Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago, and was once identified as the newest hottest chili pepper in the world by The New Mexico State University’s Chili Pepper Institute in February 2012, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, has a fruity-sweet and spicy combination.
Trinidad 7-Pot/Pod
Continuing with our Caribbean journey, the Trinidad 7-Pot/Pod is known to provide enough heat to spice up 7 pots of stew. They look very similar to habenaro peppers, and comes in many different colors.
Jones19
Tested in the fall of 2019 by Southwest Bio-Labs in Las Cruces, NM, created Bob Jones of Jones Peppers, the Jones19 peppers is a mixture of the Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper.
Red Savina Pepper Habanero
The Red Savina pepper is a cultivar of the habanero pepper, which has been selectively bred to produce hotter, heavier, and larger fruit.
Caribbean Red Habanero
The heat is not the only thing that’s hot in the Caribbean, one of the hottest versions of the habanero is the Caribbean Red. You can find this pepper in the Caribbean and North America, but the Caribbean Red is said to be originated from the Yucutan Peninsula in Mexico, with a Typical citrusy, fruity, and smoky flavor of the orange habaneros but with twice the heat.
White Bullet Habanero
The White Bullet Habanero is a heated mixture of the Caribbean Habanero, and is trademarked by Redwood City Seed Company in Redwood City, California.
Scotch Bonnet
This is a staple pepper to use in Haitian Cuisine. You can find Scotch Bonnet throughout the Caribbean. They are bright colored Jamaican hot chiles and they have a sweeter flavor and stouter shape, distinct from its habanero cousin.
Aji Peppers
These peppers range in heat temperature, but they are known generally as the Peruvian hot pepper.
Aji Cito Chili Pepper
Belonging to the Capsicum Baccatum family, the Aji Cito chili pepper is possibly the hottest one of all.
Aji Dulce – Mild Caribbean Pepper
This brightly colored pod is very popular in the Caribbean, predominantly in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. It has a sweet flavor and mild heat.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are known to have a sweet taste. Although they have no heat, they are popular in many different cuisines around the world, sold in many colors.
Liebesapfel Chili Pepper
The Fire of Love! With a name literally translates from German to “Love Apple”. This is a sweet pepper with a thick fleshed chili pepper. The Liebesapfel Chili Pepper is a cross between an apple and a tiny pumpkin.
Bolivian Rainbow
The Bolivian Rainbow pepper look absolutely beautiful in the garden. They have grown for centuries in Bolivia (Central South America. The peppers first appear as a dazzling purple color and turn yellow to orange to red.
Fatalii Peppers
Just like the Ghost peppers listed above, the heat from the Fatalii peppers also sneaks up on you. Originated from the Central and southern Africa, they are considered as one of the hottest peppers in the world. They consist the heat level of a habanero, but with a more citrus and fruity taste.
Thai Ornamental
Thai ornamental is a very hot pepper with an upward point. They can grow wild in places such as Saipan and Guam.
Thai Dragon Pepper (Thai Volcano Pepper)
These peppers grow on a short, bushy plant, giving rise to clusters of upright peppers. They turn bright red when fully matured.
Diablo Grande
No one knows for sure where the Diablo Grande originated. However, they are hotter than the jalapeno and serrano peppers. They come from the same family as the jalapeños, poblanos, cayenne, and Serrano peppers.
Numex Twilight
Enter the twilight! Hahaha – Just kidding! The Numex Twilight is an ornamental chili pepper that developed at the New Mexico State University. These peppers usually start out purple, then becomes yellow and orange, and becoming red when fully ripe. They are knon to have a rainbow effect on the green plant.
Morita Chili Peppers
If you love chipotle peppers then you’ll love Morita peppers. They are a type of chipotle pepper prepared from smoked, red-ripe jalapeno peppers. They are very richly flavored.
Cheyenne Pepper
As pretty as its name, the Cheyenne pepper is very attractive. You can easily find this pepper in the United States. They do not require much to care for them, and little light is needed or recommended.
Fish Peppers
In contrary to its name, Fish peppers are somewhat rare chili peppers of medium heat. They are with fruity, tangy and they used to be well known in the American Atlantic region.
Jalapeño Pepper
We love our salsa, and chilis, and Pico de Gallo. The Jalapeño pepper is the world’s most popular chili pepper. It is a medium-sized chili and is usually consumed while still green, but they can turn bright red when fully matured.
Chipotle Morita
One of Mexico’s favorite peppers to use. They are actually a smoked red ripe jalapeño pepper. Chipotle is used primarily in Mexican and Mexican-inspired cuisines.
Cherry Peppers
Beautiful just like a cherry, Cherry Peppers are round peppers that mature quickly from green to brilliant red. They are not too spicy, and they work well with pickled foods.
Lemon Bright Chili Peppers
Bright like a lemon, and flavored to resemble the juiciest lemon, this pepper is also known as Kellu Uchu in Peru, where it originated. They are also often compared to the flavors found in habanero.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
With endless options to be found throughout the world, you are sure to find substitutes for Cayenne Pepper. Here are some frequently asked questions to keep in mind.
Cayenne pepper can help reduce blood pressure. Increase metabolism and help relieve pain in the body.
No. Cayenne pepper is not the same as chili pepper. The flavors are also quite different.
Studies show that Cayenne pepper can help with weight control as it keeps you full longer, increase metabolism, and decrease your urge to eat.
How To Use Cayenne Pepper
Aside from tasting great in foods, some people use cayenne pepper in home remedies for coughs, congestion, and to fight off colds.
If you are curious about the dishes to include cayenne pepper to, or the substitutes, you are in luck. Below are some of our favorite Haitian food dishes that works well with some heat.
- Haitian Lalo (Jute Leaves Stew Recipe)
- Braised oxtail stew
- Haitian Legume recipe
- Instant Pot Cabbage Soup recipe
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
- Mashed Cauliflower Instant Pot Recipe
- Low Country Shrimp Boil
Haitian Fried Foods To Try
Consider adding heat to one of these fried appetizers listed below.
We would love to know if you tried any of the peppers listed above, or any of the dishes mentioned using cayenne pepper, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.
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Toni
I never knew some of these peppers existed.