WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF PAPRIKA?

The diversity in paprika types, from sweet to hot and smoked, offers a range of flavors - sweet, earthy, bold, and smoky. This spice enhances the taste and adds a vibrant red color to dishes like goulash, chicken paprikash, and various rice dishes.

Sweet paprika, also known as mild paprika, is made from sweet red peppers, such as bell peppers or other mild varieties. It has a vibrant red color and a mild, sweet flavor with little to no heat. Sweet paprika is often used to add color and a subtle, sweet flavor to dishes such as soups, stews, and deviled eggs. It is a popular ingredient in Hungarian and Spanish cuisines, where it is used in dishes like goulash and paella.
So, can you substitute cayenne for paprika (or vice versa)? While you’ll at least end up with a similarly colored dish, the flavor won’t be the same. In a pinch, you could throw in a dash of hot paprika in place of cayenne powder. However, we wouldn’t suggest substituting these spices the other way around—you could wind up with a way-too-spicy sauce!