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Practically, chilies are used for the meals we cook every day. They come in different colors, shapes, and strengths of hotness. Chilies can be added to spice up any type of dish or meal; they add unique taste and flavor to your dish.
When people talk about chilies, they mostly refer to “Green Chilies,” which are used for preparing salads, meats, and various other recipes.
As an important ingredient for preparing different meals, it is important to know what you can use as chilies substitutes in case you suddenly run out of it while cooking.
Some of the best substitutes for green chilies are Anaheim peppers, banana peppers, poblano peppers, green Fresno peppers, pasilla peppers, and Jalapeno.
Best Substitutes for Green Chilies
These substitutes are a perfect ingredient to replace green chilies in your diet. They also offer almost the same nutritional benefits as green chilies.
1. Jalapeno
Jalapeno is a popular chili pepper species used in different diets. This species is common in India. It is an ideal replacement for green chilies, thanks to its hotness and taste. A typical Jalapeno pepper is about 5 – 10cm tall.
Well, jalapenos are not the hottest peppers, but they are hot enough to spice up your diet and make it taste better. Most chefs and individuals use jalapenos in curries, salads, and intercontinental dishes.
There is no much difference between jalapeno and green chilies; asides from the shape, both peppers have almost the same hotness level and can be used as a substitute for each other.
2. Banana Pepper
This medium-size chili is one of the most suitable alternatives to use in your diet in place of green chili.
Banana peppers add great taste to your meals and boost the flavor profile too. They are not so hot – having Scoville heat units from 5,000 to 10,000 (medium).
You can use banana pepper for virtually all kinds of meals that require adding chili. Interestingly. This species of chili is available in many regions, so you can easily purchase them.
When you cut through this chili, it’s usually yellowish inside. The sight is attractive and would make your meal look more appealing. Banana peppers either appear in thick green or light green colors.
3. Pasilla Pepper
Pasilla peppers are good for all various kinds of cooking and grilling. They are also called chile pasilla or little raisin. This pepper is quite hot and helps to bring out the taste of your meals. It is typically black because and it is “dried.”
The length of pasilla peppers is 6 – 8 inches, and they have a rich flavor. Some chefs believe that the best place to use pasilla peppers is when preparing meats. Regardless, this chili species can serve as a seasoning for various kinds of meals.
When you can find green chilies, pasilla peppers are a good substitute, and you may end up preferring the pasillas over green chilies.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Asides from being an ingredient for cooking and grilling, cayenne pepper has a lot of health benefits, which include the ability to help alleviate pain. Cayenne pepper is an ideal substitute for green chilies in any diet.
This pepper is recommended for people that love spicy food; it blends perfectly with any recipe and improves the taste of your meal. Cayenne is grown in different regions, so you can find it in your local market.
It replicates the same effects of green chilies in any recipe. However, you’ve got to be careful with the quantity you add to your meal because cayenne causes more heat.
5. Anaheim Pepper
The name Anaheim pepper was given to this species of chili because it first became popular in Anaheim, CA. It is a special type of chili; very hot and spicy. Actually, Anaheim Pepper is hotter than green chilies, so you have to use them moderately.
This pepper has mild flavors that would improve your meal’s taste. It is used in preparing soups, meats, and so many other delicacies. Well, some people eat it fresh; it’s quite healthy.
Furthermore, you can Anaheim pepper to your baking or grilling recipe; it is a great spicing ingredient for virtually all kinds of meals. You will find this chili in many supermarkets.
6. Fresno Pepper
Think of Fresno peppers as an alternative to green chilies? That’s a good one. Fresno peppers add taste and improve the flavor of your meals. It fits in as a perfect substitute for green chilies in any recipe.
It also looks like green chilies (both in color and shape). When you store green Fresno peppers, they turn red – just as green chilies do. Fresno pepper has a SHU of 2,500 – 10,000. You can add them to your stew, sauce, soup, grilling, etc.
Well, this species of chili differs from Fresno Bell Peppers. For gardeners, green Fresno pepper has thinner walls, milder heat, and takes time to mature.
7. Poblano Pepper
The poblano pepper is more popular in Mexico than in other regions and countries. It is a hot pepper that can serve as a perfect substitute for green chilies in any recipe. This pepper brings out the flavor and taste of your meal.
However, this chili appears in green color, with hotness between 1000 – 2000 SHU. Some chefs prefer to roast poblano peppers to bring out their unique flavor in roasted meals and grills.
When dried, this chili is commonly referred to as Ancho or Chile Ancho. You can use poblano in its fresh state or roast it for smoky tones.
8. Serrano Pepper
Looking for a hotter chili for your recipe? Serrano is hotter than green chilies and it blends perfectly with many recipes. It is a popular chili species, commonly used by many people globally.
Serrano is not very big (like the green chilies); they can appear in green, red, brown, or yellow colors. They are perfect for making guacamole and many other tasty recipes you make want to try out.
With the SHU ranging from 5,000 to 15,000, Serrano is extremely hot, and as such, you need to use them in low quantity.
9. Chilli Powder
How about trying something different? Chili Powder? As the name implies, chili powder is a “powdered” chili spice that can be used as an alternative to regular chilies such as green chilies.
Chili powder can be gotten from any variety of chili pepper. It is typically reddish. Sometimes, chili powders are a combination of two or more varieties of chili pepper with the inclusion of garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and/or other spices.
The combination is to improve the spiciness and make it a perfect seasoning for all kinds of grilling, baking, cooking, and frying. You can make chili powders in your home by grinding chili peppers.
10. Bell Peppers
Bell Pepper is related to chili peppers, but they belong to the Nightshade family. This type of pepper is quite hot and spicy. It is suitable for all kinds of meals and helps you prepare tasty, savory dishes.
More so, bell peppers can influence the color of your dish. But mainly, it brings out the taste and makes your dish appear enticing to your guests. Although this pepper is native to South America, you can get it anywhere in the world.
Oftentimes, bell peppers are grouped with less pungent chili peppers as “sweet peppers.”
11. Habanero Pepper
Here comes the hottest chili pepper in this list. Habanero Peppers are very hot; the hotness is rated 100,000–350,000 SHU. This implies that you should use this pepper cautiously.
Unripe habaneros peppers appear in green color, and when they mature, they change to red or orange. The fruit may be brown, white, yellow, or purple. You should be careful when adding this pepper to your recipe; you should use it in small quantities.
Habanero Peppers are hot, and they improve the flavor and taste of any meal. When you can access green chilies, use Habaneros.
Why Are These Chilies the Perfect Green Chilies Substitutes?
Either of these chilies can be a perfect replacement for green chilies in any recipe because they add the same benefits as green chilies.
However, depending on the species you decide to use, the quantity to add to your recipe depends on what you’re preparing.
Some of these chilies and peppers are hotter than green chilies; thus, you need to add them in smaller quantities. Generally, chilies help to improve the taste and flavor of our meals and grills.
What more?
Summarily, these are the top 11 substitutes for green chilies in any recipe you’re preparing. You can buy them from various supermarkets, and they are available in virtually all countries of the world.
You may also love to know that you can substitute brandy with wines or juices for cooking and baking.
When it comes to cooking, grilling, and baking, there are a lot of ingredients you can substitute with other ones to achieve the exact taste or flavor you desire.
Back to the chilies; they typically appear in green color when not ripped, and then change to red, orange, or other colors when they mature.
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