🌶️ Peppers

Calabrian Chili Substitutes: for Paste, Peppers & Oil

Find the best substitutes for Calabrian chili paste, peppers, and oil. Learn about heat level alternatives, flavor profiles, and how to recreate that signature Calabrian chili taste.

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Quick Answer

The best Calabrian chili substitutes are Sambal Oelek, Red Pepper Flakes, and Harissa. For paste, use Sambal Oelek or Harissa. For peppers, try Red Pepper Flakes or Crushed Red Peppers. Use 1:1 ratio for most substitutes.

Best Substitutes

Sambal Oelek

1:1

Sambal Oelek is the closest substitute for Calabrian chili paste, offering similar heat level and texture. It's made from ground red chilies and provides the same spicy, tangy flavor profile.

Best for:

paste applicationssaucesmarinadeswhen you want similar heatAsian-inspired dishes

Sambal Oelek has a slightly different flavor profile but similar heat level. It works best as a direct substitute for Calabrian chili paste.

Red Pepper Flakes

1:1

Red pepper flakes provide similar heat to Calabrian chilies but with a different texture. They're perfect for adding spice to dishes where you want the heat without the paste consistency.

Best for:

pasta dishespizzasoupswhen you want dry heatItalian cooking

Red pepper flakes are more intense per volume, so start with less and add more to taste. They don't have the oil component of Calabrian chilies.

Harissa

1:1

Harissa is a North African chili paste that provides similar heat and complexity to Calabrian chilies. It has additional spices that add depth to dishes.

Best for:

paste applicationsmarinadeswhen you want complex flavorMediterranean dishessauces

Harissa has additional spices like cumin and coriander, so it will add more complexity to your dish. It's slightly less spicy than Calabrian chilies.

Crushed Red Peppers

1:1

Crushed red peppers offer similar heat to Calabrian chilies with a coarser texture. They're great for adding spice to dishes where you want visible pepper pieces.

Best for:

pastapizzasoupswhen you want visible spiceItalian dishes

Crushed red peppers are more intense than Calabrian chilies, so use slightly less. They don't have the oil component.

Chili Oil

1:1

Chili oil provides the oil component of Calabrian chilies with good heat level. It's perfect for drizzling over dishes or adding to sauces.

Best for:

drizzlingsauceswhen you want oil componentfinishing dishesAsian cooking

Chili oil provides heat and oil but lacks the paste texture. It's great for finishing dishes or adding to sauces.

Gochujang

1:1

Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste that provides similar heat and paste consistency. It has a slightly sweet and fermented flavor profile.

Best for:

paste applicationsmarinadeswhen you want fermented flavorAsian dishessauces

Gochujang has a sweet and fermented taste that's different from Calabrian chilies, but it provides similar heat and paste texture.

Cayenne Pepper

1/2:1

Cayenne pepper provides similar heat to Calabrian chilies but in powder form. It's perfect for adding spice without changing the texture of your dish.

Best for:

when you want powder formsoupssauceswhen you want pure heatgeneral cooking

Use half the amount of cayenne as you would Calabrian chilies, as it's more concentrated. It provides pure heat without the oil component.

Aleppo Pepper

1:1

Aleppo pepper provides similar heat level to Calabrian chilies with a slightly fruity flavor. It's perfect for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

Best for:

Mediterranean disheswhen you want fruity heatsoupssaucesmarinades

Aleppo pepper has a slightly fruity and less intense heat than Calabrian chilies. It works well in Mediterranean dishes.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For Calabrian chili paste, Sambal Oelek is the closest substitute in terms of heat and texture
  • 💡When substituting red pepper flakes, start with half the amount and add more to taste
  • 💡For oil-packed Calabrian chilies, use chili oil or add red pepper flakes to olive oil
  • 💡Harissa works well in Mediterranean dishes but adds additional spices to your recipe
  • 💡Gochujang is great for Asian-inspired dishes but has a sweet, fermented flavor
  • 💡For a more authentic Italian flavor, combine red pepper flakes with a bit of olive oil
  • 💡Cayenne pepper is perfect when you want pure heat without changing texture
  • 💡Aleppo pepper works well in Mediterranean dishes and has a slightly fruity flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for Calabrian chili paste?

Sambal Oelek is the best substitute for Calabrian chili paste as it provides similar heat level and paste texture. Harissa is also a good option if you want additional spices.

Can I substitute sambal oelek for Calabrian chili paste?

Yes, sambal oelek is an excellent substitute for Calabrian chili paste. Use it in a 1:1 ratio as it provides similar heat and texture.

What can I use instead of Calabrian chili peppers?

For Calabrian chili peppers, you can use red pepper flakes, crushed red peppers, or cayenne pepper. Start with less and add more to taste as they're more concentrated.

How do I substitute Calabrian chili oil?

For Calabrian chili oil, use regular chili oil or make your own by heating red pepper flakes in olive oil. You can also use sambal oelek mixed with oil.

What's a good substitute for jarred Calabrian chilies?

For jarred Calabrian chilies, use red pepper flakes, crushed red peppers, or sambal oelek. If you need the oil component, add some olive oil to your substitute.

Can I use harissa instead of Calabrian chili paste?

Yes, harissa can work as a substitute for Calabrian chili paste, but it has additional spices like cumin and coriander that will change the flavor profile of your dish.

What's the heat level of Calabrian chilies compared to other peppers?

Calabrian chilies are moderately hot, similar to red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. They're hotter than jalapeños but milder than habaneros.

How do I make Calabrian chili paste at home?

To make Calabrian chili paste at home, blend red pepper flakes with olive oil, garlic, and a bit of salt. You can also use sambal oelek as a base and add olive oil.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for Calabrian chili paste, peppers, and oil. Learn about heat level alternatives, flavor profiles, and how to recreate that signature Calabrian chili taste.