Bird’s eye chili is a small but mighty chili that packs a serious punch in many Thai dishes, including stir-fries, repurposing leftover curries, and delicious Asian sauces. However, as with many other ingredients, it also suffers from availability or the urge for a different taste. I’ve got the best bird’s eye chili substitutes you can use.
You can substitute bird’s eye chili with serrano pepper, cayenne pepper, habanero pepper, and jalapeno peppers. But this isn’t all you can swap them with. I’ll dive into the uses, ratios, and flavors of these tasty swaps, so let’s get right in!
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🤷 What is Bird’s Eye Chili?
Bird’s eye chili, also known as Thai chili or chili padi, is a small and fiery chili pepper that’s commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It’s a key ingredient in Thai, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese dishes, and is known for its intense heat and fruity flavor. It’s a small and thin typically about 1 to 2 inches in length and 1/4 to 1/2 inch in width with colors ranging from green to red, depending on its maturity.
🔥 Bird’s Eye Chili Heat Level
Bird’s Eye Chili is known for its intense heat, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This places it significantly higher on the heat scale compared to other commonly used chilis like jalapeños, making it a fiery choice for those seeking a spicy kick in their dishes.
💡 Best Substitutes for Bird’s Eye Chili
Serrano Pepper
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 1 teaspoon of chopped serrano pepper
Serrano pepper is a great alternative to bird’s eye chili if you need a substitute that’s relatively easy to find. This chili pepper is commonly used in Mexican cuisine and is recognized for its fruity and vibrant flavor, combined with a moderate to high level of spiciness. This type of pepper has a slightly milder heat than some other chili peppers, so you may need to use more peppers than other chilies to achieve the same level of spiciness.
Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = ½ to 1 teaspoon of chopped cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is another great substitute. It’s available in tons of grocery stores with a similar heat level to bird’s eye chili. It has a moderate to high level of spiciness and can be used in tons of dishes, including curries, stir-fries, and pork chop sauces. This pepper does have a slightly smoky and earthy taste that might work great in some dishes but not so much in others. You can try using cayenne pepper substitutes for a different flavor but similar heat.
Habanero Pepper
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 1/2 teaspoon of chopped habanero pepper
Habanero pepper is a fiery substitute for bird’s eye chili as it has a very high level of spiciness. This pepper has a unique flavor profile consisting of a fruity and floral taste, which can complement some dishes but not so much in others. With this said, you should use it in small amounts and taste the dish as you go to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
Scotch Bonnet (Bonney Pepper)
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 1/2 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet
The scotch bonnet pepper is just perfect for those who want a slightly milder taste but still bursting with flavor. This chili, also known as the bonney pepper, is a Caribbean cuisine delicacy with a fruity, slightly sweet taste. This pepper has a heat level similar to bird’s eye chili, measuring 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville scale. It has a rounder shape and a more pronounced tip with varying heat levels. You can also use scotch bonnet pepper substitutes instead if you can’t find any.
Chile De Arbol
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 1 teaspoon of chopped chile de arbol
The name “arbol” means “tree” in Spanish, as these chilies are named after their long, woody-like stems. They are a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine and have a bright red color and intense heat. Chile De Arbol is hotter than jalapenos but milder than bird’s eye chili. With this chili, since it’s milder, you’ll want to use a dash more if you want a similar heat to bird’s eye chili.
Jalapeno Pepper
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 1-2 teaspoons of chopped jalapeno pepper
Jalapenos are one of the better alternatives for bird’s eye chili. It originated in Mexico and is often milder than bird’s eye chili. However, the level of heat in jalapenos can differ depending on their specific variety. While some jalapenos can be relatively mild, others can be quite fiery, so taste the jalapeno beforehand. This will help you gauge the heat level and adjust the quantity accordingly.
Fresno Chili Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped bird’s eye chili = 2-3 teaspoons of chopped Fresno chili peppers
These chili peppers are typically grown in California and are perfect for adding that splash of heat without throwing everything off balance. They have a bright red color and a slightly sweet flavor with a medium level of heat. Fresno chili peppers are not as spicy as some other options, so you’ll need to add more of them to make a direct substitute for bird’s eye chili.
🧐 FAQs
Bird’s Eye chili is known for its intense heat and fruity, slightly sweet flavor. It has a unique taste that’s often described as both spicy and tangy.
The Scoville heat unit (SHU) range for Red Bird’s Eye Chili is between 50,000 and 100,000. This makes it a very spicy chili pepper that is not recommended for those who are sensitive to heat.
You can buy Bird’s Eye Chili’s at Asian grocery stores, often found in the fresh produce or dried spice sections, or through online retailers specializing in Asian ingredients. Farmers markets will also carry them.
Bird’s Eye Chilies are known by several other names, including Thai Chili, Piri Piri, African Bird’s Eye Chili, and Siling Labuyo.