Thai chili substitute

Planning to make a Thai dish and looking for the Thai chili substitutes? This post is specially created for you. 

This guide for Thai chili pepper substitutes has everything you need to know about Thai chili peppers. Its heat intensity, taste, and flavor. And also assist you to choose the possible substitutes for Thai chili depending on your personal preference and availability.

Learning more about the Thai chili would give more freedom of customizing a recipe without altering the authenticity of a dish.

What is Thai pepper?

Thai pepper is a generic term that refers to the chili peppers that are hot and originated from Thailand. To be specific, there are more than 70 chili pepper varieties(that vary in the heat level from mild to super hot) that actually belong to this region.

Generally, in the United states Thai chili pepper variety usually denotes the small hot chili pepper type, that is small in size, with thin meat. 

In this type, the seeds are clustered closely together and occupy most of the interior. It has concentrated heat and subtle flavors when compared with the Green bell peppers.

What does Thai pepper taste like?

These Thai chili peppers provide a depth of heat and mild flavors that do not alter its co-ingredient natural flavor. 

What are Thai chili substitute?

We all know that replicating the dish with the right ingredients is a half success. 

Selecting the proper substitute depends on the preferred personal preference, the availability, and the choice of preserving the heat or preserving the color. All the factors are taken into account to provide you with a list of Thai chili substitutes.

Let’s learn the tips and tricks to create a dish with its close substitute as much as possible.

Indian green chili. One of my top picks for substituting Thai peppers. These are closest with the flavors and the heat. And these are available in your local Indian store.

Serrano pepper. Grocery store friendly ingredients, available throughout the year. This has similar flavors but serrano peppers have a lower heat profile than Thai peppers. 

To may add up cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.

Bell pepper. The first choice for Thai chili substitutes, because of its easy accessibility. But make a note that bell peppers provide the dish a peppery flavor but without any heat. Hence this works well, when you want to keep the heat at low. 

Then, how to substitute? Thai chili pepper is not advisable to be substituted with green bell pepper with the same numbers, because both highly vary in its heat and flavor. 

If a recipe calls for 2 Thai chili peppers, you may substitute with a tablespoon of finely chopped bell peppers-to match up the mild Thai chili flavors. 

If you want to add a bit of heat, you may add crushed red pepper on top of green bell pepper. 

Jalapeno. Jalapeño and the Thai chili pepper widely vary in the flavor and in the heat. You may use this as a Thai chili substitute for its flavor. And you may add the heat with cayenne pepper or use habanero seeds.

Crushed red pepper flakes. If you are thinking of an ingredient just to add up the heat. This really works. 

Long green chili pepper. Moderately hot, similar Thai chili pepper’s meat.  

Anaheim pepper. These are low in heat, with sharp flavors making them good on any dish. If you are planning for the mildly hot dish, this works perfectly as a perfect Thai chili substitute.

Cayenne pepper. If you are searching to match up the heat of green chili, ground cayenne pepper is the ideal option. Here, make a note that ground cayenne pepper has a distinct flavor that’s entirely different from the fresh green chilies.

Paprika. Add up a nice heat, but may turn the dish to look luscious red in color. For the authentic pepper flavors, add some fresh peppers of your choice. 

Habanero. This hot pepper is one of the super hot substitute for Thai chili. But add them as half the quantity, as it could potentially increase the heat of the dish.

Red chili powder. Good to spice up the dish, but be aware that this works good on dishes that look red in color.