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When it comes to food, every person likes different flavors in their meal. Some like it light without much oil and spice, on the other hand, a few relish the taste of the hottest sauce in the world. If you fall in the second category of a food lover, this article is for you! Stay hooked until the end to know all!
What Exactly is Meant by Chili Paste?
It is a sauce made of chili peppers, which fall in the condiment category. Every region has its own variety of paste. But most of them include common ingredients like chill pepper, salt, fish sauce, and so on. The two most popular varieties are the green and red ones.
If you are wondering what is the difference between hot sauce and chili paste; well, the first difference is their consistency. The latter one is pastier compared to hot sauce. Also, hot sauce has a definite proportion of vinegar in it due to which the spicy flavor often gets dominated by the vinegar. However, in chili paste, there is no vinegar. Hence, you get to enjoy the perfect spicy flavor with a tinge of sweetness. Read on to find out the hot chili paste substitute in the market!
What Changes Does the Ingredient Bring in a Dish?
It is obvious that chili paste makes a dish spicier but the spicy flavor added to the dish is hot enough to make you go red. A few varieties of the paste also add a light sweet flavor to the dish. However, the sweetness can hardly dominate the super-hot taste of the ingredient. The blend of the two flavors gives an exotic treat to the taste buds.
Some of the dishes where you can use the ingredient are:
- Soups of any kind
- Sandwiches
- Fish or chicken marinade
- Burgers or meatloaf
- Mayo
Chili Paste Substitutes
Have you ever thought ‘what can I substitute for chili paste’? If yes, then find your answer here! We have listed down some of the best chili paste replacement below, have a look:
Red Pepper Flakes
If you are someone who loves eating spicy, then we are sure you have red pepper flakes in your kitchen cabinet. If not, buy them because it is one of the best red chili paste substitutes ever! You can season your food with red pepper flakes irrespective of their temperature. In case you want to relish the heat of the spice in liquid form, making a sauce out of it is super easy. All you need to do is mix sugar, soy sauce, and one tablespoon of red pepper. Make sure the sugar and soy sauce are taken in pinch amounts. Mix well to get the consistency and once done, your red pepper sauce is ready
Ground Cayenne Pepper Mixed with Ketchup
The consistency of ketchup is perfect for making a spicy ingredient but sadly it doesn’t come with the flavor of chili. However, you can add 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper to one cup of ketchup to achieve the perfect gochugaru substitute. Hence, make sure you try this recipe soon!
Spicy Tomato Ketchup
Those who want a perfect blend of consistency and flavor can easily make a tomato paste. You will have to take a small tomato ketchup container and add some pepper flakes and chili powder to it. You can add some more spices of your choice to bring out the flavor of your liking. We agree that the flavor will taste more of tomato, but it will do the job as a substitute for chili paste.
Hot Sauce
Lastly, if none of the above chili paste substitutions is available in the market, you can go for hot sauce. Even though the vinegar flavor of it is not preferred by a few people, you might like it. So, it is recommended that you try hot sauce as an alternative and find out whether or not you like it!
Chili Paste DIY Recipe
One of the best alternatives is to make a DIY chili paste substitute for your dishes! The ingredients you need are garlic, olive oil, salt, and seasonings. Follow the steps below:
Mix all the ingredients in a food processor.
- Take the mixture in a vessel and mix it with olive oil.
- Heat the mixture on low flame for 20 minutes.
- Add seasonings and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Store the mixture in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Conclusion
We hope the article has helped you know enough about the chili paste substitutes that you can use to cook your favorite spicy dishes. All of the above-mentioned alternatives are easy to find or make. So, which substitute will you try? Do tell us!