Out of Calabrian chili, one case
Calabrian chili substitutes for paste, peppers & oil
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Sambal oelek
Same amount as the Calabrian chili
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.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- paste applications
One casethe full Calabrian chiles card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of Calabrian chili | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sambal oelekpaste applications | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Red pepper flakespasta dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Harissapaste applications | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Crushed red pepperspasta | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Chili oildrizzling | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Gochujangpaste applications | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Cayenne pepperwhen you want powder form | ½ × the amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Aleppo pepperMediterranean dishes | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Sambal oelek
similar taste and texture
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 applications, sauces, marinades, when you want similar heat, Asian-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
similar taste, different texture
Red pepper flakes provide similar heat to Calabrian chilies but with a different texture. They're good for adding spice to dishes where you want the heat without the paste consistency.
- Best for
- pasta dishes, pizza, soups, when you want dry heat, Italian 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
different taste, similar texture
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 applications, marinades, when you want complex flavor, Mediterranean dishes, sauces
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
similar taste, different texture
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
- pasta, pizza, soups, when you want visible spice, Italian dishes
Crushed red peppers are more intense than Calabrian chilies, so use slightly less. They don't have the oil component.
Chili oil
similar taste, different texture
Chili oil provides the oil component of Calabrian chilies with good heat level. It's good for drizzling over dishes or adding to sauces.
- Best for
- drizzling, sauces, when you want oil component, finishing dishes, Asian cooking
Chili oil provides heat and oil but lacks the paste texture. It's great for finishing dishes or adding to sauces.
Gochujang
different taste, similar texture
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 applications, marinades, when you want fermented flavor, Asian dishes, sauces
Gochujang has a sweet and fermented taste that's different from Calabrian chilies, but it provides similar heat and paste texture.
Cayenne pepper
similar taste, different texture
Cayenne pepper provides similar heat to Calabrian chilies but in powder form. It's good for adding spice without changing the texture of your dish.
- Best for
- when you want powder form, soups, sauces, when you want pure heat, general 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
different taste, similar texture
Aleppo pepper provides similar heat level to Calabrian chilies with a slightly fruity flavor. It's good for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
- Best for
- Mediterranean dishes, when you want fruity heat, soups, sauces, marinades
Aleppo pepper has a slightly fruity and less intense heat than Calabrian chilies. It works well in Mediterranean dishes.
How it behaves in this recipe
Calabrian chilies are a key ingredient in Italian cooking, known for their moderate heat and fruity flavor. When substituting, consider both the heat level and the oil component that makes Calabrian chilies unique. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality while offering different flavor characteristics.
Tips for substituting Calabrian chili
8 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 good when you want pure heat without changing texture
- Aleppo pepper works well in Mediterranean dishes and has a slightly fruity flavor
Notes on Calabrian chili
- For Calabrian chili rub, use a combination of red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and olive oil
- For Calabrian chili powder, use cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes ground to a fine powder
- For Calabrian chili sauce, use sambal oelek mixed with olive oil and a bit of vinegar
- For Calabrian sausage, use regular Italian sausage with added red pepper flakes
- For Calabrian chili flakes, use regular red pepper flakes or crushed red peppers
Questions
8 questionsWhat'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.