Do you want to cook a Caribbean classic?
Then realized you couldn’t find scotch bonnet peppers anywhere? Don’t worry, this has happened to me before, and luckily there are a lot of excellent scotch bonnet pepper substitutes to choose one.
As a chef who has used Scotch bonnet peppers a lot, I understand the important heat and flavor they bring to your dish. I also know the frustration of not being able to source an ingredient!
So let’s go through the best substitutes for scotch bonnets. I will include a range of chilies from close relative chilies, spicy, similar flavors, and highly accessible choices that are easy to find.
Firstly, it’s always great to know some information about what you’re substituting because this will help you make the best pick for your recipe!
What is Scotch Bonnet Peppers?
They’re a variety of chili pepper found in the Caribbean and West Africa. They are closely related to the habanero pepper and are known for their distinct fruity flavor and intense heat.
They have a Scoville rating ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units and are among the hottest chili peppers in the world. You may also know them as the Caribbean red peppers!
Scotch bonnet peppers are commonly used in Caribbean cuisine, especially in dishes like jerk chicken, hot sauces, and various stews. However, their unique combination of heat and fruity notes makes them a popular ingredient in many other recipes.
What to Think About When Substituting Scotch Bonnet Pepper
When substituting Scotch bonnet peppers in a recipe, there are several factors to consider:
- Heat level: Try to find a substitute with a similar Scoville rating to maintain the desired heat level in your dish.
- Flavor: Look for peppers with a fruity or tropical flavor profile to mimic the taste of Scotch bonnet peppers.
- Availability: Choose a substitute that is readily available in your local grocery store or market.
- Size and shape: Consider the size and shape of the substitute pepper, as this may affect your dish’s final appearance and texture.
1. Habanero Peppers (100,000 – 350,000 SHU)
Heat level: High
Flavor: Fruity, citrusy
Habanero peppers are the closest relatives to Scotch bonnet peppers, making them an excellent substitute in terms of both heat and flavor.
They have a similar Scoville rating, ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU, and share a fruity, citrusy flavor profile. This makes them an excellent option for those looking to maintain their recipe’s original taste and heat level.
Habaneros can be found in various colors, including orange, red, and yellow. They are often available in grocery stores and markets, making them a great choice to look for.
You can follow a 1:1 ratio instead of Scotch bonnet peppers when using habaneros.
2. Madame Jeanette Peppers (125,000 – 325,000 SHU)
Heat level: High
Flavor: Fruity, tangy
Madame Jeanette peppers are high-heat pepper with a Scoville rating between 125,000 and 325,000 SHU. They have a fruity and tangy flavor profile, making them a suitable substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers.
These peppers are commonly used in Surinamese and Antillean cuisine. They can be found fresh or dried in specialty stores or online. Due to their similar heat level, you can follow a 1:1 ratio when substituting Madame Jeanette peppers for Scotch bonnet peppers.
3. Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies (50,000 – 100,000 SHU)
Heat level: High
Flavor: Fruity, slightly sweet
Thai bird’s eye chilies, also known as bird chilies or simply bird’s eye chilies, are small, slender peppers with a Scoville rating between 50,000 and 100,000 SHU. They offer a fruity, slightly sweet flavor that can substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers.
These peppers are commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine and can be found fresh or dried in many Asian grocery stores.
4. Fresno Peppers (2,500 – 10,000 SHU)
Heat level: Medium
Flavor: Fruity, slightly smoky
Fresno peppers are milder, with a Scoville rating between 2,500 and 10,000 SHU. They have a fruity flavor similar to Scotch bonnet peppers but with a slightly smoky undertone. Due to their lower heat level, you may need to use more Fresno peppers to achieve the desired spiciness in your dish.
These peppers are readily available and come in both red and green varieties. The red Fresno peppers are typically hotter and sweeter than the green ones.
5. Piri Piri Peppers (50,000 – 175,000 SHU)
Heat level: High
Flavor: Tangy, slightly fruity
Piri piri peppers, also known as African bird’s eye chilies or peri-peri peppers, have a Scoville rating between 50,000 and 175,000 SHU. They offer a tangy, slightly fruity flavor that can work well as a Scotch bonnet peppers substitute.
These peppers are commonly used in African and Portuguese cuisine. Fresh, dried, or ground can be found in specialty stores or online.
Since the piri piri pepper is partially within the same Scoville rating range. I suggest adding an equal amount of piri piri pepper to the scotch bonnet and then adjusting to taste.
6. Jalapeño Peppers (2,500 – 8,000 SHU)
Heat level: Low to medium
Flavor: Mildly fruity, crisp
Jalapeño peppers are another option for those looking for a milder substitute that is easy to source. With a Scoville rating of 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, jalapeños are significantly less spicy than Scotch bonnet peppers.
Their mildly fruity and crisp flavor makes them suitable for those who prefer a less intense heat.
Jalapeños are widely available and can be found in green and red varieties, with the latter being slightly sweeter and hotter. You may need to use more jalapeños in your recipe to compensate for the lower heat level.
The size and shape of jalapeño peppers are different from Scotch bonnet peppers. This will may slightly change the final appearance and texture of your dish.
7. Serrano Peppers (10,000 – 23,000 SHU)
Heat level: Medium
Flavor: Bright, crisp
Serrano peppers are medium-heat with a Scoville rating between 10,000 and 23,000 SHU. They have a bright, crisp flavor that can work as a substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers in recipes where the fruity notes are not crucial.
These peppers are widely available and can be found in green and red varieties, with the red ones slightly hotter and sweeter.
8. Ghost Peppers (855,000 – 1,041,427 SHU)
Heat level: Extremely high
Flavor: Intensely fruity, smoky
Ghost peppers, also known as Bhut Jolokia, are one of the hottest peppers in the world, with a Scoville rating between 855,000 and 1,041,427 SHU.
They have an intensely fruity and smoky flavor, making them a suitable substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers if you’re seeking extreme heat in your dish.
Due to their extreme heat, it is essential to use ghost peppers sparingly and with caution. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as using too much can quickly overpower a dish. Ghost peppers can be found in specialty stores or online, available fresh, dried, or ground.
Also, consider that the extreme heat of ghost peppers may not be suitable for everyone, so use them with caution and be mindful of your guests’ preferences.
9. Cayenne Peppers (30,000 – 50,000 SHU)
Heat level: Medium to high
Flavor: Bright, slightly fruity
Cayenne peppers are medium to high heat pepper with a Scoville rating between 30,000 and 50,000 SHU. They offer a bright, slightly fruity flavor that can work as a substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers in recipes where the fruity notes are not crucial.
Cayenne peppers can be found fresh, dried, or ground, making them a versatile and easily accessible option.
10. Carolina Reaper (1,400,000 – 2,200,000 SHU)
Heat level: Extremely high
Flavor: Fruity, slightly sweet
The Carolina Reaper holds the title of the world’s hottest pepper, with a Scoville rating between 1,400,000 and 2,200,000 SHU. Its fruity and slightly sweet flavor can make it a suitable substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers if you’re looking for an extreme level of heat in your dish.
Use Carolina Reaper peppers with extreme caution and start with a tiny amount, as their heat can quickly overpower a dish. These peppers can be found in specialty stores or online, available fresh, dried, or ground.
Also, the extreme heat of these peppers may not be suitable for everyone, so use them with caution and be mindful of your guests’ preferences.
Conclusion
There are numerous Scotch bonnet peppers substitutes that you can use in your cooking, ranging from mild to extremely hot options. When choosing a substitute, consider factors such as heat level, flavor, availability, and size and shape to ensure a successful outcome in your dish.
Pick one that you are comfortable with on a heat level, and ideally, a fruity one if that’s an essential aspect of the chili.