Are you looking for a bell pepper substitute? If so, you’re in luck! There are many different types of peppers that can be used as a substitute. Keep reading to learn about the 10 best options. Keep these in mind the next time you’re at the grocery store!
The best substitutes are anaheim peppers, poblano peppers, cubanelle peppers, banana peppers, pepperoncini, jalapenos, pimiento peppers, Sichuan peppers, dried bell pepper and bell pepper powder.
10 Bell Pepper Substitutes To Try
1. Anaheim Peppers
Anaheim peppers can be your first choice. They taste sweet, tangy and kind of smokey. These peppers have a fresh green color and can be used to substitute green bell peppers and not only.
They are crunchy and taste good both raw and fried. You can use them in salads, serve with roasted meats and vegetables, add on pizzas as topping, make sauces with it as well as add into soups and stews.
2. Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are deep green peppers very similar to green bell peppers from the first sight. They are mildly spicy and become slightly sweet when cooked. These peppers have an awesome flavor when roasted. You can serve them with pork, chicken, cheese, tomato and other vegetables.
There are also red poblano peppers but they come with more spiciness and may not be a good choice in this case. So, try to find green poblanos if you decide to use this substitute.
3. Cubanelle Peppers
Cubanelle, also known as ‘Cuban pepper”, comes in green or yellow colors. Compared to bell peppers it has a thinner shape and mild spiciness. Overall it tastes sweet but holds a kind of heat. It’s not too spicy, but is not as sweet as bell peppers.
However, you can choose cubanelle peppers for pizzas, salads, casseroles and as a topping for side dishes instead of bell peppers. You can serve them with meat and vegetables too. They are excellent substitutes for bell peppers especially in frying.
4. Banana Peppers
Banana peppers are light green, thinner shaped and medium-sized peppers that can be perfect substitutes for bell peppers. They have a mild sweet taste and you can safely use them in the same recipes as bell peppers. You can fry them, roast, add to cooked dishes and salads.
You may also see green and yellow-to-orange banana peppers in markets, some of which may be spicy. So, check the label before buying.
5. Pepperoncini
As for pepperoncini, they come with light green to yellow skin and are quite small in size compared to bell peppers. They taste hot and sweet at the same time and if you don’t mind some spiciness, then you can use them instead of bell peppers in pizzas and salads.
Although pepperoncini is basically served pickled, it tastes good raw, roasted and cooked too.
6. Jalapenos
Jalapenos are popular mild-spicy peppers. They are deep green, mid-sized peppers mostly used as topping for pizzas, sandwiches, tacos and salads.
If you like to add a little heat to your dish, then this can be the best choice. If you want less spicinness then make sure to remove the seeds as they make it hotter. Jalapenos are served roasted, picked or raw with other vegetables, meats, cheese and salads.
7. Pimiento Peppers
Pimiento peppers look like red bell peppers and they taste like bell peppers. These are heart-shaped and medium-to-large peppers with mild sweetness. They are ideal to choose as red bell pepper alternatives but if the color doesn’t matter, then you can use them in any recipe that calls for bell peppers.
Pimiento peppers go well with roasted veggies and meat, serve as topping for sandwiches and salads as well as taste good pickled.
8. Sichuan Peppers
If neither of the fresh substitutes for bell peppers are available in your kitchen, you can opt for dried peppers like Sichuan peppers for cooked meals. This is a Chinese seasoning made of dried Sichuan peppercorns.
Although they are actually not peppers, they still taste like peppers with spiciness. They are small red berries of a citrus family and you can choose them as red bell peppers substitutes to spice up many dishes.
9. Dried Bell Peppers
Dried bell peppers come for help especially when it’s not the fresh pepper season. The best thing about this substitute is that it holds the same taste and nutrients as fresh ones.
Of course, they work well in cooked dishes and you may not use them in salads, pizzas or other dishes. Try dried bell peppers in soups, stews and other cooked dishes to maintain the desired aroma of bell peppers.
10. Bell Pepper Powder
And here is the easiest substitute for bell peppers if you seek only for the flavor and aroma of bell peppers. Bell pepper powder works well in soups and other cooked dishes but if you use fresh bell peppers with meat and fish, its powder can also add the same taste to the meat.
Just rub it on the meat before cooking and it will provide the earthy, mild and sweet peppery taste to the end dish.
FAQs about Bell Pepper
Can i substitute red bell pepper for green?
Yes.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making substitutions. First, red peppers tend to be sweeter than green peppers, so you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe accordingly.
Second, red peppers are usually softer than green peppers, so they may not hold up as well in dishes that require extended cooking times.
Finally, red peppers will add a pop of color to your dish, so keep that in mind when choosing a substitution.
How to cut a bell pepper?
Cut the top off the pepper and cut in half. Remove the seeds and ribs from the inside of the pepper. Cut each half of the pepper into thin strips. Enjoy your delicious bell peppers!
How long does bell pepper last in the fridge?
Bell peppers can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. However, they will start to lose their flavor after about a week. If you are not planning on eating them right away, you can store them in the freezer for up to six months. Just be sure to wrap them tightly.
Which bell pepper is the healthiest?
Red bell peppers are considered to be the healthiest. They are the most nutritious. Compared to other bell peppers they come with almost 1.5 times more vitamin C and nearly 11 times more beta-carotene.
Conclusion
Bell peppers are a versatile vegetable that can be used in many recipes. However, sometimes they may not be available or you may want to try something different. The 10 best bell pepper substitutes listed above will help you get creative in the kitchen and add some variety to your meals.
Will you try any of these substitutes? Or if you have your own favorite substitution not listed here, be sure to let us know in the comments!