Chili Pepper Substitutes

Japanese cuisine and spicy aren’t often a pairing that go together, but there are some exceptions. One is shichimi togarashi seasoning. The popular Japanese spice mix, also known as Japanese seven-spice seasoning, is popular for everything from Asian soups and tempura to noodles and grilled meats.

Yet, for all its popularity in its native land, it can be a surprise to see this exotic ingredient in a recipe. You likely don’t have this seasoning just sitting in the spice rack (and it can be difficult to source), so where do you turn? What’s a good shichimi togarashi substitute that will work? Let’s review your choices.

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If you’ve delved into Korean cooking, it’s likely the case you’ve come across gochugaru as an ingredient for an authentic Korean recipe. Gochugaru may be available at a specialty market, but oftentimes you’ll need to think outside the box to come up with an alternative. The good news: while gochugaru may sound exotic, it’s simply a type of crushed chili pepper – so you have many options at your fingertips. Each can serve as a viable gochugaru substitute, though there are strengths and weaknesses to consider when making the swap. Let’s break down your best options.

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While Tabasco hot sauce is a supermarket staple, there are times when you need an alternative. What other hot sauces can you use that have a similar vinegary tang? What’s a good Tabasco substitute in a pinch for cooking if you don’t have a bottle of any hot sauce handy? And where can you turn if you simply don’t prefer the strong vinegar flavor that Tabasco is famous for? Let’s breakdown your best options.

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The famous Jamaican jerk seasoning can turn many a cut of meat and Caribbean meal into something exotic, flavorful, and no doubt spicy. Though, while it’s easy to find at most grocery stores, it’s not for most people a seasoning that’s a no-brainer for the basic spice rack essentials. So where do you turn if a recipe calls for this delicious spice mix? What’s a good jerk seasoning substitute that you can turn to if you want to stay authentic to the dish? Let’s examine your best option.

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Chaat masala is one unique seasoning. A staple of Indian cuisine, it delivers a complex mix of tart, salty, and spicy all rolled into one. So how do you make do if you have none in your cupboard and a recipe calling for this delicious spice mix? What’s a good chaat masala substitute to get you by? Let’s review your best option.

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From sweetening fiery Asian cuisine to firing up delicious desserts, sweet chili sauce has found growing use in the kithen. It’s typically easy to find at your local grocer (look in the international section), but if you need a quick substitute, you do have some options. Though, none (except making it yourself) will deliver quite the same amazing sweet heat an an authentic sweet chili sauce would.

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