🌶️ Peppers

Piquillo Peppers Substitute: for Every Recipe & Use Case

Find the best substitutes for piquillo peppers in any recipe. Complete guide covering roasted red peppers, jarred alternatives, and fresh options with detailed ratios and cooking tips.

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Quick Answer

The best piquillo peppers substitutes are roasted red peppers (1:1 ratio) for similar texture and sweetness, jarred roasted peppers for convenience, or fresh bell peppers roasted at home. Each option works well depending on your recipe needs.

Best Substitutes

Roasted Red Peppers

1:1

The closest substitute to piquillo peppers with similar sweet, smoky flavor and tender texture. Perfect for most recipes calling for piquillo peppers.

Best for:

tapaspizza toppingssandwichespasta dishesstuffed pepperssaucesdips

Available fresh or jarred. If using fresh, roast them first to achieve similar texture and flavor.

Jarred Roasted Peppers

1:1

Convenient substitute that's already roasted and ready to use. Look for Spanish or Italian varieties for best flavor match.

Best for:

quick mealspizza toppingssandwichespastawhen you need convenience

Drain well before using. Some brands may have added vinegar or oil that could affect flavor.

Fresh Bell Peppers (Roasted)

1:1

Fresh alternative that you can roast at home. Red bell peppers work best for closest flavor match to piquillo peppers.

Best for:

when you want fresh ingredientshomemade recipeswhen you have time to roast

Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until charred, then steam in a covered bowl for 10 minutes before peeling.

Cubanelle Peppers

1:1

Sweet, mild peppers that work well as a substitute. Roast them first for best results.

Best for:

stuffed peppersgrilled disheswhen you want a fresh alternative

These are milder than piquillo peppers but work well in most recipes. Roast before using for best texture.

Banana Peppers

1:1

Sweet peppers with a slightly different flavor profile but similar texture when roasted.

Best for:

stuffed peppersgrilled disheswhen you want a slightly different flavor

These are slightly sweeter than piquillo peppers. Roast before using for best results.

Poblano Peppers

1:1

Mild peppers that work well as a substitute, especially when roasted and peeled.

Best for:

stuffed peppersmexican disheswhen you want a mild alternative

These are larger than piquillo peppers, so you may need to adjust quantities. Roast and peel before using.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡If using fresh peppers as substitutes, always roast them first to achieve the tender texture of piquillo peppers
  • 💡When roasting peppers, place them under the broiler or on a grill until the skin is charred, then steam in a covered bowl for 10 minutes before peeling
  • 💡Jarred roasted peppers should be drained well before using to remove excess liquid
  • 💡For stuffed pepper recipes, choose peppers that are similar in size to piquillo peppers
  • 💡Piquillo peppers are typically used in Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, so consider the cuisine when choosing substitutes
  • 💡If you can't find roasted red peppers, you can make them at home by roasting bell peppers and following the same charring and steaming process

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for piquillo peppers in any recipe. Complete guide covering roasted red peppers, jarred alternatives, and fresh options with detailed ratios and cooking tips.