The Best Simple Smoked Paprika Substitutes

If you’re struggling to find smoked paprika, it’s OK! Here are my favourite Smoked Paprika Substitutes…

To be honest, smoked paprika is a unique ingredient.

While I’ve included my best substitute ideas below, none are as good as the real thing.

What is Smoked Paprika?

Smoked paprika, also called Spanish paprika or pimenton is a spice made from smoking and drying mild capsicum peppers. And grinding them into a fine powder.

It adds a vibrant red colour and a fruit, smoky flavour to food. And it most commonly used in Spanish cuisine.

It’s one of my favourite spices, it’s easy to find online and definitely worthy of taking up a little space in your pantry.

The Best Smoked Paprika Substitutes

1. Other Paprikas

Hungarian paprika, sweet paprika and hot paprika can be used instead of smoked paprika. They will provide the beautiful colour, however you won’t have the same intense smoky flavour. But better than no paprika!

If using hot paprika, it will also have the chilli heat factor, so start by substituting less and adding more if needed.

2. Chipotle Chilli Powder

From Mexico instead of Spain. The flavour is slightly fruitier but in a similar smoky vein. You’ll get a deeper red colour. Plus some chilli heat so add sparingly if you prefer milder dishes. Chipotle chilli in adobo sauce could also be used.

3. Liquid Smoke

Personally I don’t use liquid smoke because I find them over powering but if you are wanting the lovely smoky flavour and don’t have any smoked paprika, it’s the next best thing. Liquid smoke won’t add any colour. Be careful, a little goes a long way.

4. Smoked Sea Salt

Another way to add subtle smoky flavours. No colour or other flavours though. And of course there’s a limit to how much salt you can add. Better for milder dishes with less other flavours to compete with.

5. Other Spices

Ground cumin or coriander would be my first choices as alternative spices to smoked paprika. The flavours will be different but not necessarily in a bad way. Neither will help with the colour though.

If you happen to have a spice blend that already contains smoked paprika like Ras el Hanout or Tex Mex spice, they are other options.

6. Tomato Paste or Tomato Powder

Neither of these will add smoky flavours but you will get some colour and tomatoey flavours that will add depth and sweetness to your dish.

7. Sumac

You probably don’t have sumac in the pantry, but on the off chance that you do, it will add red paprika-like colour to your dish. However the flavour profile won’t have the smoky notes. It will be lovely, fresh and lemony which may not be a bad thing!

How to Store Smoked Paprika

In an airtight jar in your pantry.

Favourite Smoked Paprika Recipes

Delicious Smoked Paprika Flavour Pairings

Tomato & Smoked Paprika
Chicken & Smoked Paprika
Halloumi & Smoked Paprika
Fish & Smoked Paprika
Seafood & Smoked Paprika
Cauliflower & Smoked Paprika
Eggs & Smoked Paprika