Out of Old Bay? The label gives away more than you’d think — celery salt first, paprika last — and that’s the shape of every swap that works. Here’s what to build, what to buy, and how far each one actually gets you.
As Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking continues to grow in popularity, more recipes are calling for chipotle paste. This thick, smoky condiment delivers deep chili pepper flavor with moderate heat and an unmistakable barbecue-style smokiness. But chipotle paste is not always easy to find. Some grocery …
So you have a recipe calling for smoked paprika, and there’s none on your spice rack? No worries—you’re not alone. Smoked paprika isn’t as common as regular paprika, but its unique flavor means finding the right substitute is important. The good news? You’ve got plenty …
Need Creole seasoning and none around? That’s ok — you’ve got options to fill that Southern flavor gap in your recipe. Creole seasoning may sound exotic, but most of its core ingredients are everyday pantry staples like paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne. With a …
The delicious Tunisian chili paste harissa has become a go-to for spicy recipes, but it’s not always something many have in their pantries or even their local stores. So what do you do when your recipe calls for harissa and you have none to work …
Substitutions get harder the further up the Scoville scale you go. There simply aren’t many chilies carrying 100,000-plus heat units, and the ones that exist are harder to find at a normal grocery store. The good news with the habanero is that it sits in …
With that smoky heat, chipotle peppers bring a unique earthy flavor to dishes that use them. So how do you match that if you don’t have any chipotle chilies available in your kitchen. What’s a proper chipotle pepper substitute that will save the day, both in …
With the immense popularity of Mexican dishes like chili rellenos, poblano peppers have become one of the go-to chilies around the world. They’ve become common in grocery stores, especially in areas with high Mexican populations. But what happens if you need a poblano pepper substitute? To what …
Taco seasoning is one of the more useful seasoning mixes for the spicy food fan. From taco nights to game day dips, its addition adds a mild simmer and earthiness to any dish it touches. But what if you’re out? Or what if you want to change …
Out of chili flakes? Cayenne is the swap you’ll actually have in the cupboard, but it’s hotter and it behaves differently in a dish. Here’s what to reach for, what to skip, and how much of each to use.
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