Peppers are necessary for a kick to your everyday meals. They not only enhance the taste of your dishes but also impart greater health advantages. The most common one of them is the green pepper chilies.
Green chilies are commonly found in Indian cuisine to spice up meals. They have a medium-hot to smokey taste and are thus very desirable to eat!
But if you are not a fan of these spicy greens or if you are unable to access them for some reason, we’ve got a solution!
This article brings you a solid handful of substitutes that can be used in place of green chilies. Some of these alternatives may be hotter and some may be milder, so it all depends upon your taste and spice level which one you pick!
What are Green chilies?
Green chili, scientifically named Capsicum annum, is a fruit of the plants from the genus Capsicum. They are usually included in the Solanaceae family and are much related to cherries, eggplants, and tomatoes.
Although green chilies originated in South America, they are grown in almost all parts of the world and are mostly used in Asian or specifically Indian cuisines. The chili pepper gets its spicy taste from the white spongy membrane found near the seeds. It is also called the placenta and has the highest amount of capsaicin which is mainly responsible for all the heat and spice!
Green chilies come in almost all shapes, colors, and sizes. They have variable levels of hotness ranging from mild to moderate to real spicy! The milder types are popularly known as Anaheim, Pasilla, and Poblano.
You can use green chilies to make a variety of dishes like dips, dishes, soups, sauces, stews, and whatnot! They have a long list of health benefits that may want you to have more of! For example, green chilies are linked with;
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Reduced blood cholesterol
- Pain relief
- Lower body temperature
- Relieving ulcers
- Improved skin and immunity
- Balanced sugar levels
- Moderate weight loss
These chili peppers can help people with low hemoglobin to acquire a good amount of iron. It is also rich in vitamin C which aids in the absorption of iron.
10 Best Substitutes for Green Chilies
Here come some of the finest alternatives that can serve you well in place of green peppers. Have a look at each and choose the one that you find the best!
Let’s begin.
#1 Red Chili Peppers
You must be thinking that red chili peppers are one type but that’s not the case. They refer to any red pepper.
The majority of red peppers are chili peppers that have reached full ripeness (such as the Green Fresno). As a result, they are frequently hotter than the latter which is still immature. Some red peppers, nevertheless, will taste softer and sweeter.
Depending on the heat level of the red chili peppers you are using, you can alter the ratio when substituting red chili peppers for green chiles.
#2 Green Fresno Pepper
Just because you’ve read it earlier, doesn’t mean you know it all! Here are green Fresno peppers as a potential alternative to green chilies.
Green Fresno peppers, often known as Fresno chili peppers, are occasionally confused with jalapenos. They resemble one another a much and share a similar bright flavor too.
Additionally, as Green Fresno peppers ripen, they turn red and become spicier as they become redder.
You can substitute Green Fresno peppers for green chiles in a 1:1 ratio to increase the overall spiciness of your recipe. However, make sure not to overdo your food with the spice. So, start with a lesser amount initially.
#3 Green Bell Peppers
Green bell peppers, which are the mildest of all the peppers, are a fantastic option when you want to lessen the heat in a recipe without affecting its taste.
They might not offer many flavors to a cooked dish, but they will add color and texture for sure. And this makes them not suitable for use in soups or sauces that get their characteristic taste and flavor from the green chilies.
The ideal use for green bell peppers is in foods where they can contribute moderate taste, color, and texture. Usually, a 1:1 ratio is recommended but, if needed, you can include more.
#4 Jalapeno Pepper
Jalapeno peppers are a great alternative if you want a final flavor with a lot of spiciness. They are one of the green peppers that taste the most like green chiles. All you have to do is simply determine the correct level of heat because overdoing may risk ruining your food.
Relax, we’ll help you figure that out too!
These peppers’ main source of heat is their seeds. As a result, you have a lot of freedom in deciding how hot you want a dish to be.
Slice open fresh jalapenos and scoop out the seeds before using. Place the seeds aside. Replace the green chilies with the diced pepper. And add the seeds gradually after that. As you go, taste your food to determine the appropriate level of heat.
#5 Anaheim Peppers
Another pepper on the less-spicy end of the spectrum is Anaheim.
Anaheim peppers have a crisper pepper flavor and can be used in both hot and cold dishes. Although on the milder side of the spicy spectrum, when cooked, Anaheim’s flavor nevertheless holds up well. Soups and sauces are excellent places to include them.
Any recipe that calls for green chiles can substitute Anaheim peppers in a 1:1 ratio.
#6 Poblano Peppers
Moving up in heat and size we have the poblano pepper!
Poblano peppers are one step up from Anaheim peppers. They have a mild to medium heat that will add a bit of kick to your dish, but not overdo it. The rich flavor of these peppers includes a hint of smokiness. This smoky flavor comes out even more during cooking.
Note, that the outside skin of poblano peppers does not have a great flavor. It is also more difficult to digest. If you want to use them chopped up in a cold dish, quickly roast the outside of the pepper in a skillet to soften up the skin.
#7 Banana Peppers
Banana peppers are an excellent option if you want a light pepper but with a lot of flavors.
These peppers are a striking shade of yellow and sometimes light green. Also, they provide a light spiciness, some sharpness, and sweetness to any dish when added.
You can easily get fresh and pickled banana peppers from your nearest grocery store. The flavor will be most similar to green chilies when it is fresh. However, pickled banana peppers have a more acidic and sour flavor, but can still be used in some recipes.
#8 Serrano Pepper
The serrano pepper ranks highest on the heat index in terms of spiciness. It resembles a jalapeno in appearance, much like the Green Fresno pepper does, and can similarly be used in both hot and cold dishes.
Serrano peppers, however, need a little extra care. When consumed, these peppers are not simply hot. A serrano pepper’s skin yields an oil with a similar peppery flavor. Keep this in mind when you wash and cut them.
Since they have a sharp heaty flavor, try to add them in a small amount and increase it, if only needed.
Note that there are numerous colors for serrano peppers. You can use any color if your recipe does not require green necessarily.
#9 Pasilla Pepper
Popular as little raisin, Pasilla peppers work well in the place of green chili. They are usually dry with a wide flavor spectrum ranging from mild to hot and a little sweet too!
Pasilla peppers are much popular in Mexican cuisine and are usually used to make sauces and salsa.
They can, however, be utilized in the same manner as fresh peppers in many dishes. They have generally been employed to flavor prepared foods and go particularly well with fish, roasted meat, and pork.
#10 Fresh Cayenne Pepper
The cayenne peppers are the last peppers on our list of alternatives.
Fresh cayenne peppers, which are small, long red peppers actually, have a strong kick that makes them a wonderful alternative in recipes calling for green chilies.
These peppers are typically found dried and are often used in a variety of cuisines, including stews, shellfish, egg dishes, and beef.
They rate it as quite spicy on the hotness scale. As a result, you should be careful not to add too much at once.
If you want to give a dish a spicy kick, substitute chopped cayenne pepper for green chiles. Start with a little and add more as necessary.