10 BEST Calabrian Chili Paste Substitutes [Tried And Tested]

I’ve personally tried and tested a range of different Calabrian chili paste substitutes to find the best one.

Whatever your reason for avoiding Calabrian chili paste is and whatever dish you’re cooking.

The best substitute for Calabrian chili paste is making it from scratch – it’s easier than you think. But if you want a ready-to-use option, go with sambal oelek, sriracha, or Tabasco. You can also use fresh peppers such as anaheim, fresno, or serrano peppers. A last resort option is red pepper flakes.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

The Experiment

I made a basic cream sauce to try out ten different Calabrian chili paste substitutes.

This Italian chili paste is made from Calabrian peppers, giving it a fiery kick with sweet, smoky notes. I was looking for a substitute that could replicate the flavor notes of the paste, while adding some sort of heat.

Here’s what I tested and my verdicts: 

Common dishes that use Calabrian chili paste and their substitutes

Calabrian chili paste is a common ingredient in Nduja, an Italian meat. But it’s very versatile!

Here are some common uses for Calabrian chili paste and the best substitutes for that situation:

• Condiment/garnish: homemade Calabrian chili paste, sriracha, tabasco sauce
• Pasta sauces, stews, and soups: homemade Calabrian chili paste, sambal oelek, fresh chili peppers (anaheim or serrano)
• Marinades, dipping sauces, and vinaigrettes: homemade Calabrian chili paste, sambal oelek  

Homemade Calabrian chili paste

The best substitute for Calabrian chili paste is to make your own!

Jarred Calabrian chilis are easier to find than the paste and making it from scratch is simple.

Chili Pepper Madness has a quick recipe that only calls for four ingredients: Calabrian peppers, garlic cloves, olive oil, and salt. 

Sadly the DIY paste only lasts for about five days so just make what you need. 

And for those lazy days (we all have them!), you can simply chop up the peppers and add them straight to your dish. It’ll be a tad spicier but it’s effortless. 

Psst… if you can find Calabrian chili oil, this will work well too.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1 tsp homemade Calabrian chili paste

Anaheim peppers

Anaheim peppers aren’t very spicy and the heat they do have doesn’t linger.

But they’re very close in flavor to the Calabrian pepper, which makes them the perfect alternative for anyone that can’t handle heat.

They’re often described as having a slightly fruity and earthy flavor, with a subtle spiciness.

And you can roast or grill them to bring out their natural sweetness or add a smoky flavor to your recipe.

If you want heat in your dish as well, sprinkle in some chili flakes or pair these with bird’s eye chilis.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 2 tsp chopped anaheim peppers + chili flakes for spice

Serrano peppers

According to the Pepper Scale, serrano peppers clock in at 10,000-23,000 Scoville units compared to the Calabrian peppers 25,000-40,000 units, so they’re not as spicy.

But they have similar flavor notes to the Calabrian pepper with fruity, earthy undertones.

You can chop these peppers up and incorporate them into your dish, crush them to make your own paste, or go with a serrano pepper sauce.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 2 tsp chopped serrano peppers

Fresno peppers

Another fresh pepper you can use in place of Calabrian chili paste are Fresno peppers. They’re very popular in Mexican  and Southwestern cusine.

They’re a touch spicier than jalapeno peppers, but not as spicy as Calabrian peppers.

And they have a bright, tangy flavor profile that will remind you of Calabrian chili paste. 

Try them and see!

Psst… you can also try habanero peppers or birds eye chilis if you want lots of spice.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1 tsp chopped Fresno peppers

Sambal oelek (chili paste)

If you’re not interested in messing around with fresh peppers, sambal oelek is the next best thing. It’s an Indonesian chili paste.

It’s got a spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness just like Calabrian chili paste, but it also has a subtle sour note (thanks to the addition of vinegar). 

Both sauces have a chunky texture too. 

But the best part is sambal oelek is just as versatile as Calabrian chili paste – I especially love smearing it over a slice of pizza.

Psst… any chili paste will do – but this is my favourite which is why I’m suggesting it.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1 tsp sambal oelek

Harissa

Harissa is a hot chili paste from Tunisia and is a mainstay in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines. 

While the flavor isn’t the same as Calabrian chili paste, it’s got a similar depth and complexity to it.

It packs an intense heat and has some smokey notes thanks to the addition of warming spices like ​​cumin, coriander and caraway seeds.

Harissa also has a hint of fresh citrus.

Pro tip: if you like harissa, you’ll probably also like peri peri sauce.

How to use: 1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste = 1 teaspoon harissa (or slightly less if you want a less intense heat)

Chili garlic sauce

Chili garlic sauce is an acceptable substitute for Calabrian chili sauce, but it’s not amazing.

Despite sharing similar ingredients, the two sauces have pretty distinct flavor profiles.

Calabrian chili paste has a fruity and slightly smoky flavor, while chili garlic sauce has a more pronounced tanginess and garlic taste. It’s also not as spicy.

But it will bring a background heat to your dish so it’s okay to use if you’re really stuck.

Read next: best chili garlic sauce substitutes

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1 tsp chili garlic sauce

Crushed red pepper flakes

If all you want is Calabrian chili paste’s fiery heat, you can keep things simple and use crushed red pepper flakes instead. 

Don’t expect them to add much depth to your dish though. 

According to Bon Appetit, most bottles of red pepper flakes are made with cayenne peppers which are all about spice and heat.  

And as Epicurious’ recommends, I usually add them in the beginning of cooking to get maximum heat, but you can also add them towards the end if you want a more subtle flavor.

Pssst… if you can find aleppo pepper flakes, use these instead! They’re less hot than red pepper flakes, but they have a prominent earthy, fruity flavor that will elevate your dish.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Sriracha

Sriracha doesn’t taste exactly like Calabrian chili paste, but it’s an easy substitute that works in a pinch!

It’s not as spicy as the chili paste, but it still adds prominent heat to your food with an added sweet-sour flair. 

Just shake a few drops straight into your food (sriracha over pizza, anyone) or whatever you’re cooking for that spicy pop.

If you’re into spice, chances are you have some of this in your cupboards already. And if you don, you might have the next sub on the list.

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 2 tsp sriracha

Tabasco sauce 

Another hot sauce option you can consider is classic Tabasco sauce. 

Tabasco sauce is a bit spicier than the previously mentioned sriracha, but still not as hot as Calabrian chili paste. 

It also doesn’t taste much like Calabrian chili paste, but it’s a quick and easy substitute to add heat to your dish. 

How to use: 1 tsp Calabrian chili paste = 1 tsp Tabasco sauce

Calabrian Chili Paste Substitutes [10 tried and tested options]

We test out 10 different Calabrian chili paste substitutes to find the best one.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Calabrian chili paste substitutes, substitutes for Calabrian chili paste substitutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 56kcal

Ingredients

• 1 tsp Homemade Calabrian chili paste
• 2 tsp Anaheim peppers + extra chili flakes
• 1 tsp Sambal oelek
• 1 tsp Garlic chili sauce
• 1 tsp Harissa
• 1 tsp Fresno peppers
• 2 tsp Serrano peppers
• 2 tsp Sriracha
• 2 tsp Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Cook your meal according to the recipe.
• Add your chosen Calabrian chili paste substitute at the appropriate cooking time.
• Mix until thoroughly combined and continue with the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tsp | Calories: 56kcal