Green chilies are a popular ingredient in many dishes across various cuisines. They add a punch of spice and an addictive kick to your meals. However, there are times when green chilies may not be available in your pantry, or you may find yourself needing an alternative option. Do not worry, as there are several substitutes that can deliver the desired heat and flavor to your dishes, depending on your taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
Mild substitutes can provide a similar taste without overpowering the dish with heat, while hotter substitutes can kick up the spiciness a notch. Additionally, different forms of substitutes such as dried, powdered, sauces, or salsas can offer diverse textures and flavors. Regardless of the substitute you choose, staying informed about the heat levels and flavor profiles can assist in seamlessly incorporating the alternative into your dishes.
Green chili peppers are an ideal way to add a kick to any meal and can be used in a variety of cuisines to give certain recipes a new lease of life.
Green chilies also offer numerous health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood cholesterol, it can lower body temperature, relieve pain, helps fight colds and sinus infections, clear stuffy noses, helps relieve ulcers and digestive ailments, are great for skin and eyes, provides immune system support, and balances blood sugar levels.
Green chilies can also help with weight loss by burning unnecessary body fat. And it can naturally boost a body’s iron levels, especially useful for those suffering from low hemoglobin. The spice element of green chilies contains vitamin C, which is vital in introducing iron into the body.
However, green chili peppers are not only tasty but also have a handful of health benefits that makes them extra desirable to eat (in our eyes anyway).
Green peppers have a medium to hot spice level and are one of the most common ingredients found in Indian cuisine due to their smoky flavor.
However, if you’re not a fan of the spice of green peppers, or maybe you don’t have any in your home or your local grocery store, what do you use instead?
Luckily, there are a solid handful of substitutes you could use in place of green chilis, some of which are hotter whilst some of milder, so depending on what type of flavoring or spice you’re trying to achieve then you’ll be able to find something that will recreate the same sort of taste as green chilis.
We’ll be taking you through the 10 best substitutes for green chilies so you’ll always be able to make a recipe regardless if you don’t have that ingredient in your home.
1. Jalapeno Pepper
If the spiciness of green chilis just doesn’t cut it for you in a recipe, then you can always use jalapeno peppers as a substitute instead, measuring around 5 out of 10 on the heat scale.
Jalapeno peppers are often used as a spicy seasoning added to a recipe rather than being one of the main ingredients due to its heat level which can easily alter the flavoring.
Green chilis are normally roasted or fried off before cooking whilst jalapeno peppers normally best when they’re used fresh in uncooked recipes but they’re still delicious when cooked.
Jalapeno peppers are easily found at most grocery stores and can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
2. Cayenne Pepper
If you love spicy food and you’re after something that will blow your dinner guest’s socks off then you’ll want to add in a few diced cayenne peppers to any recipe you’ll be cooking. They work great as a spicier alternative to green chilies.
If you’re trying to replicate the same sort of spice level and flavoring of green chilies but by using cayenne peppers, then we’d recommend using only a small amount in your recipes as a little goes a long way but you’ll still get a good spicy kick.
These peppers are normally used dried or in powder form but you can still use them fresh in recipes as well.
As cayenne peppers are so spicy, they raise your body temperature and will make you burn more calories and boost your metabolism slightly, so if you’re looking for an excuse to add some real spice to your meals then this is it.
3. Bell Pepper
If you’re on the complete other end of the spice spectrum and you’re sensitive to any sort of spice, then you can try using some sweet bell peppers in your recipe. They won’t bring any sort of heat to the dish but they’ll have the same texture as green chilies.
Bell peppers are great to use in a recipe to add color as once they’ve matured you can get them in green, orange, yellow, and red forms.
They’re normally used as the main ingredient in dishes to bulk out the contents whereas green chilis are normally used for flavoring.
If you’re going to use bell peppers but you’re worried that the flavoring will be too bland then you can add some ground black pepper to the recipe to replicate some of the spice of green chili.
4. Poblano Pepper
If you’re looking to achieve the same smokey flavoring as green chilis but with an extra bit of heat, then poblano peppers will be a good alternative for you to use instead.
They’re ideal for adding in small amounts to bring heat to a dish but they can also be used as the main ingredient for recipes like stuffed chili con carne peppers.
Poblano peppers are very popular in Mexican cuisine and they’re mostly picked when they’re green for cooking purposes but when these peppers have matured turn dark red and even black.
Many people choose to roast and peel poblano peppers to remove the waxy texture.
5. Habanero Pepper
For spice lovers, green chilis are just not a common ingredient you’d keep around in your cupboards for cooking as they don’t reach the heat levels that other peppers do.
If you happen to have habanero peppers around, then you can use these as an extremely spicy substitute for green chilies.
They bring a great heat and floral aroma to recipes and will only need to be added in small amounts to even achieve just a little kick of heat.
6. Banana Pepper
Banana peppers are one of the best substitutes for green chilis even though they are slightly sweeter and offer less spicy than green chilis do.
If you’re someone who doesn’t appreciate the hotness of green chilis, then you’ll prefer the milder spice that is subtle yet still recognizable in dishes whether that be salsa or even some enchiladas.
Banana peppers normally have a yellow color to them but they are known for turning red or orange as they begin to ripen. They’re often used alongside hotter pepper alternatives to bring sweetness to a recipe without being too overpowering.
A very popular way to use or cook with banana peppers is to pickle them with garlic and white vinegar in a jar to be used in salads.
Due to the mild sweet taste, people often stuffed banana peppers with other ingredients as a healthier alternative to a taco.
7. Chili Powder or Chili Flake or Green Chili Pepper
We know what it’s like at the end of the week when your refrigerator is looking bare and you’re struggling to find the ingredients to make up a recipe.
If you don’t happen to have fresh peppers at home, then you can always go to your pantry and grab some chili powder or dried chili flakes as an alternative to fresh green chilis.
These should be staple condiments that you keep in your home as they’ll last up to 2 years once they’ve been opened so they can be used again and again.
Chili powder and chili flakes can bring a lot of heat to a recipe, so you’ll want to measure how much you use depending on your ability to handle the spiciness.
These condiments can be easily found in the seasoning section of the grocery store and are some of our go-to ingredients to add heat to a recipe without using fresh ingredients.
8. Anaheim Pepper
Looking for a substitute that’s still mild in flavor and still around the low to medium heat range? Then Anaheim peppers would be an ideal substitute.
You may know Anaheim peppers by other names such as California peppers, New Mexico peppers, or even Magdalena. They have a similar appearance to green chilis and can be used in fresh recipes or cooked dishes.
These peppers are mild enough to be eaten as a main ingredient or can be used to add a slight hint of spice to a recipe for those who are more sensitive to heat.
9. Red Chili or Red Pepper
Red chilis are actually ripened and unharvested green chilis, so if you happen to have some lying around your refrigerator then you can use this instead.
Green chilis are often used fresh or roasted, whereas red chilis are more commonly used dried or in powder form.
Red chili peppers are perfect for using in Mexican dishes like chili con carne or for adding a kick to creamy pasta dishes.
10. Serrano Pepper
Serrano peppers are quite similar to jalapeno peppers, however, they offer nearly 5 times the heat levels that jalas do. Serrano peppers are one of the best sorts of peppers to use in guacamole as it adds something extra to the creamy cool avocado mixture.
As they are spicier than regular green chilis, you’ll need to add a smaller amount to your recipe to achieve a similar heat level.
I have become quite partial to Thai Chili in my Salsa Verde. I also enjoy fresh pepper (green pepper) in my green enchilada sauce. My son is a hot sauce, Indian Green Chili and Hungarian wax pepper aficionado. I just can’t get used to that taste. To each his own.
Best Substitutes For Green Chilies
These options are sure to be a hit. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
