Top Kashmiri Chili Powder Substitute Options for Indian Cooking

Okay, you’re right in the middle of making an amazing Indian dish. You reach for that special ingredient, the one that gives your food that incredible bright color and gentle warmth. But the jar is empty. You’re out of Kashmiri chili powder.

Don’t panic just yet; finding a Kashmiri chili powder substitute is possible, like Byadgi chili powder. Read on for more alternatives to spice up your dish!

Jump to:

• What Makes Kashmiri Chili Powder Stand Out?
• Our Best Kashmiri Chili Powder Substitute Ideas
• FAQs
• Conclusion
• Recipe

What Makes Kashmiri Chili Powder Stand Out?

Before we look for replacements, let’s talk about what we’re trying to mimic. Kashmiri chili powder, often called Kashmiri mirch, comes from the Kashmir region of India. It’s made from specific varieties of dried kashmiri chilies, which are longer and more wrinkled than many other types of red chilli.

So, this popular chili powder adds just a subtle heat. What it lacks in fire, it makes up for in appearance, delivering a gorgeous, bright red colour to foods. This vibrant red color is important in many Indian dishes like spicy chicken, rogan josh, and various curries to make them look even more appealing.

Beyond the color and mild heat, the flavor kashmiri chili offers is slightly fruity, and sometimes it possesses a very lightly smoky flavor. Needless to say, the authentic flavor Kashmiri provides is hard to replicate exactly.

Our Best Kashmiri Chili Powder Substitute Ideas

Luckily, you likely have some good substitutes for Kashmiri chili in your spice rack already. Below are our top picks:

1. Paprika (Sweet or Regular) + Cayenne Pepper

This combination is probably the most accessible Kashmiri chili powder substitute for many people. Standard paprika, particularly Hungarian or Spanish sweet paprika, offers a fantastic red color, often quite vibrant and close to Kashmiri red.

However, most common paprika varieties have almost no heat, measuring very low on the Scoville scale, providing a similar heat to Kashmiri chili powder when mixed with cayenne pepper.

Ratio: Use 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika mixed with ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper for every 1 teaspoon of kashmiri chili powder called for. Start with the smaller amount of cayenne and add more cautiously if needed after tasting.

Best For: Paprika and cayenne pepper can substitute Kashmiri chilli powder in recipes like Rogan Josh, Tandoori Chicken, and Butter Chicken.

Related: 10 Best Paprika Substitute Ideas: Add Some Spiciness To Your Dish

2. Byadgi Chili Powder

Meet Kashmiri chili’s closest cousin. Byadgi chili powder also comes from India, specifically the state of Karnataka. Like Kashmiri chilli powder, Byadgi chilies (or Byadagi chilies) are famed for their deep red color and relatively mild heat. Some suggest that Byadgi chili powder is occasionally passed off as Kashmiri chilli powder in markets due to their similarities.

Finding chili powder byadgi might require a trip to an Indian grocery store or ordering online, but it’s worth seeking out for authentic results. Its fruity notes are also quite similar to Kashmiri chili. Using powder byadgi or whole dried chillies can make your Indian cooking taste very authentic.

Ratio: Use 1:1. Substitute 1 teaspoon of Byadgi chili powder (chili powder byadgi chili) for 1 teaspoon of kashmiri chili powder.

Best For: Byadgi chili powder is an excellent Kashmiri chili powder substitute due to its deep red color and mild heat and is perfect for recipes like sambar, chicken curry, and vindaloo.

Also read: Substitute for Red Pepper Flakes: Spice Up Any Dish

3. Ancho Chili Powder

Heading to Mexican cuisine for inspiration, ancho chili powder is made from dried poblano peppers. Ancho chili powder offers a wonderful mild to medium heat (around 1,000-2,000 SHU), very similar to the heat level of Kashmiri chili. It also has complex, slightly sweet, fruity flavors with earthy and sometimes faint smoky undertones.

Ancho chili powder is widely available in many grocery stores, making it a convenient option.

Ratio: Use 1:1. Replace 1 teaspoon of kashmiri chili powder with 1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder.

Best For: Ancho chili powder makes a great Kashmiri chili powder substitute and works well in dishes like tikka masala, chili con carne, rubs for grilled meats, and lamb curry.

4. Deggi Mirch Chili Powder

Another excellent contender from Indian cooking, Deggi Mirch is not a single type of chili but rather a specific blend. It often contains a mix of Kashmiri chilies and other varieties of red chili peppers selected for color. Deggi Mirch is specifically designed to impart a vibrant red color to food but generally comes with a bit more heat than Kashmiri red chili powder alone.

Ratio: Use 1:1. Swap 1 teaspoon of Deggi Mirch for 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri chili powder, keeping in mind it might be slightly hotter. Taste and adjust if necessary.

Best For: Deggi Mirch chili powder is an excellent Kashmiri chili powder substitute and is perfect for butter chicken, paneer tikka, tandoori dishes, and biryani recipes.

5. Gochugaru (Korean Chili Powder)

Let’s travel to Korea for this interesting option. Gochugaru, the staple Korean chili powder or flakes, can be a surprisingly decent stand-in for Kashmiri chili pepper. It comes in varying heat levels, from mild to very hot, so it’s important to check the packaging; you’ll want the milder version (often labeled “deolmaewoon” or “mild”).

Ratio: Start with a 1:1 ratio, using 1 teaspoon of mild, fine gochugaru for 1 teaspoon of kashmiri chili powder. Taste and adjust heat if needed, as some brands can be spicier than expected.

Best For: Gochugaru makes a great stand-in for Kashmiri chili powder in curries, tandoori marinades, and masala-spiced vegetables.

Also read: Savory Secrets: 10 Exciting Gochujang Substitute Ideas

6. Guajillo Chili Powder

Back to Mexican chili powders. Guajillo chilies, dried mirasol peppers, offer a moderate heat level, typically ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 SHU, which is noticeably hotter than Kashmiri chili powder. They possess a distinctive bright, tangy, fruity flavor profile with hints of berry, green tea, and sometimes pine. The color imparted by guajillo chili powder is a nice reddish-brown, less vibrant than Kashmiri.

Ratio: Use approximately ¾ teaspoon of guajillo chili powder (powder guajillo chili) for every 1 teaspoon of kashmiri chili powder. Adjust based on your heat preference and the dish’s flavor profile.

Best For: Guajillo chili powder is a flavorful replacement for Kashmiri chili powder, offering a mild heat and slightly fruity, earthy flavor and is ideal for biryani, vindaloo, and lamb curry recipes.

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Conclusion

Running out of Kashmiri chili powder doesn’t mean disaster for your Indian dish. While this specific red chilli powder holds a special place in Indian cuisine for its mild heat and brilliant red color, several good substitutes can step in effectively as can be seen above. Happy substituting!

Recipe