Calabrian chili has a moderate heat and fruity, smoky flavor, and is commonly used in Italian cuisine. It’s often used to enhance pasta dishes, sauces, pizzas, and marinades. If you don’t have Calabrian chili on hand, there are several excellent substitutes that can deliver similar heat and flavor.
What is Calabrian Chili?
Calabrian chili, or peperoncino calabrese, is a moderately hot chili pepper native to the Calabria region of southern Italy. It is famous for its rich, fruity, and slightly smoky flavor, and has a Scoville heat rating of 25,000 to 40,000 SHU, placing them in the medium to hot heat range.
Best Substitutes for Calabrian Chili
Calabrian chilies can typically be found in various forms, including jarred in oil, as a paste, or as dried flakes. If you can’t find fresh Calabrian chilies, these prepared forms are excellent options for adding the desired heat and flavor to your dishes. However, if you can’t find Calabrian chili in any form, the following substitutes will help you achieve similar results.
1) Fresno Peppers
- Flavor: Fresno peppers are the closest match for flavor, offering a similar fruity sweetness. However, they are milder than Calabrian chilies, making them suitable if you want less heat but a similar flavor. Although they don’t have the slight smokiness of Calabrian chilies.
- Best Uses: Use Fresno peppers in pasta sauces, salads, or as a topping for pizzas. Roasting them can help develop a deeper flavor.
- Heat Level: Mild to medium (2,500 to 10,000 SHU).
2) Chipotle Peppers
- Flavor: Chipotle peppers, which are smoked and dried jalapeños, provide a good alternative when you want to replicate the smoky quality of Calabrian chili. They are slightly milder but add a robust, smoky depth to dishes.
- Best Uses: Use chipotle peppers in pasta sauces, marinades, or grilled dishes. They are particularly well-suited for recipes where smokiness is key.
- Heat Level: Medium (2,500 to 8,000 SHU).
3) Piment d’Espelette
- Profile: Piment d’Espelette, from the Basque region of France, has a mildly spicy and slightly sweet flavor. While it’s milder than Calabrian chili, it offers similar smoky and fruity characteristics.
- Best Uses: Use Piment d’Espelette in soups, sauces, or as a finishing spice on pasta and pizza. Its subtle smokiness makes it a good match for dishes requiring Calabrian chili. You can use a mixture of these with a very spicy chili for a close Calabrian chili match.
- Heat Level: Mild (1,000 to 4,000 SHU).
4) Dried Arbol Chilies
- Profile: Dried arbol chilies are small, bright red peppers that pack a sharp, consistent heat. While they don’t have the fruity notes of Calabrian chili, they bring a similar spiciness without altering the overall flavor profile too much.
- Best Uses: Use dried arbol chilies in stews, soups, or sauces. They can be ground into a powder or rehydrated for use in various dishes.
- Heat Level: Hot (15,000 to 30,000 SHU).
5) Serrano Peppers
- Profile: Serrano peppers have a fresh, vibrant heat that is comparable to Calabrian chilies. They lack the smoky and fruity elements, but roasting them can help introduce some depth of flavor, making them a suitable substitute in dishes with similar heat.
- Best Uses: Use serrano peppers in sauces, salsas, or grilled. Roasting them can add a smoky touch that mimics the flavor of Calabrian chilies.
- Heat Level: Similar to Calabrian chili (10,000 to 23,000 SHU).
6) Hot Red Pepper Flakes (Crushed Red Pepper)
- Profile: Red pepper flakes are a convenient substitute that can be found in most kitchens. They primarily add heat but lack the fruity and smoky complexity of Calabrian chilies. While not the best match in terms of flavor, they still provide the desired spiciness.
- Best Uses: Use red pepper flakes in pasta dishes, sauces, and pizzas to add heat. While they won’t replicate the full flavor of Calabrian chilies, they do deliver the spiciness you may be looking for.
- Heat Level: Depends on the variety of chilies used.
How to Choose the Best Substitute
When selecting a substitute for Calabrian chili, consider the following factors:
Heat Level: Fresno peppers and Piment d’Espelette are mild options that replicate the flavor without overwhelming heat. If you need a closer match in spiciness, serrano peppers and dried arbol chilies are great choices.
Flavor Profile: For fruity notes, Fresno peppers are the best match. For smokiness, chipotle peppers or Piment d’Espelette will add that key flavor component.
Texture: If you need a paste-like consistency, blending roasted peppers or dried chilies with olive oil can give you a texture similar to Calabrian chili paste.
Final Thoughts
Calabrian chili is an essential ingredient in many Italian dishes due to its unique combination of heat and complex flavors. However, if you can’t find it, these substitutes can help you achieve a similar balance of spiciness and flavor. Whether you need a mild option like Fresno peppers or want to add a smoky element with chipotle, these alternatives will ensure your dish remains flavorful and delicious.