Spice Up Your Cooking With Red Pepper Flakes

In this detailed review, we shown six good alternatives to red pepper flakes (again, red pepper flakes are exactly the same as ground red pepper flakes!) ground cayenne pepper, coarsely ground habanera pepper, ground chilli pepper, coriander powder, Thai red chile, and lemon juice. Each alternative was compared with similar spice, flavor, and nutritive values. In general, these six substitutes performed well. To find out more about butchers in Melbourne check out Peter Bouchier.

Best Red Pepper Flakes Substitutes

Cayenne Pepper:

One of the most popular red pepper flakes available, Cayenne pepper is very hot! It also gives the food an intense heat, but not so much that it is unpleasant. The seeds have a mild chili-like flavor. Cayenne is also one of the more expensive types of red pepper flakes. You can cook with fresh cayenne or take it in tablet form with water.

Caffeine Powder:

This one made us laugh, as we thought it was just ano ther pantry staple! But actually, caffeine is a good red pepper flakes substitute, providing you don’t overdo the jalapeno peppers. If you’re not a big fan of coffee, this may be a good substitute for you. Caffeine has a warming effect, which can help you feel more relaxed. Again, not something you want in your tea.

Salt and Garlic Powder:

These two items are used more sparingly, but their contrasting characteristics bring out the best in any dish. When you combine them with food, they usually cut through the flavor of the seasoning and provide yet another reason to use them sparingly. For example, when you’re making a pasta sauce, stir in the garlic and salt. Then add the red pepper flakes and you’ll have a sauce that’s loaded with the heat of the peppers, without burning your throat.

Heat:

Most of us associate heat with hot dogs and hamburgers, but there are many other different types of red pepper flakes that can give you that jolt of flavor. Cayenne pepper provides an intense burn that you definitely want to avoid. Of course, if you prefer to go hot, try cayenne. This will give you a nice spicy heat that’s almost burning. It’s also a great spice to use on different types of seafood.

Heat:

There are many dishes that can use red pepper flakes as a part of the seasoning. If you’re cooking ribs, roast them until they are nice and soft, then shred the meat with a fork. Heat your tortilla chips to make tortilla dip, then use red pepper flakes to top and wrap it in a tortilla shell. This is a great way to use the heat from the chip dip.

Nutrients:

 A big part of what makes this type of spice so beneficial is that it contains many nutrients that we need in our diets. It contains good amounts of vitamins A, C, and E as well as iron. It’s also been shown to help lower cholesterol because of its effects on blood vessels. Finally, it contains monounsaturated fats that can help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. In short, the heat that it gives off helps boost the nutrient content, making it a great addition to your pantry.

While chili flakes are often thought of as just being a spice, there are many ways that you can benefit from them. You don’t have to use it just as a spice. Try these different ways on different types of foods to see how red pepper flakes can enhance your meals and make them more enjoyable.

Dip:

There are plenty of dips that you can put red pepper flakes on top of. From sloppy joes to garlic chips to dips for vegetables, try experimenting with different recipes until you find a new flavor that sounds good to you. For example, if you like garlic but don’t want the heavy flavoring of chilies, try substituting with chiles de arbol powder. If you don’t like spicy salsa, try a mild version that still features the spices that you love, but is without the heat. Or, use substitutes for red pepper flakes that are made with tomatoes, onions or bell peppers. You can even make substitutes for cream cheese or sour cream that will still give you the great flavor that you are looking for.

Condiment:

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the heat of dried chilies. Use them in soups, stews and sauces for a flavorful alternative to tomatoes, onions, and chilies. You can also take advantage of the heat that they add to your dishes by adding them to your salads. Sprinkle ground red pepper flakes onto your salad before finishing it. You can dress the greens with olive oil and salt for a delicious and easy to make accompaniment to your greens.

How To Choose Red Pepper Flakes

When shopping for red pepper flakes, be sure to keep an eye out for the variety of options that you have. Many people like to play around with different flavors and textures in order to create the most unique dishes. Not only do you get to experiment with various dried chilies, but you also have more to choose from when buying chile powder and other ingredients. For the best tasting flavor, keep a variety of dried chiles around and experiment with different combinations, keeping the heat level in mind, but always keeping things balanced so that you are not overloading on one type of spice while underloading on another.