When I want to add a quick pinch of heat to my cooking, scotch bonnet peppers are my go-to ingredient. These fiery peppers are perfect for adding a fiery blast of flavor to basic dishes like homemade sauces and soups and to cuisines like Jamaican jerk chicken, Trinidadian doubles, and Haitian griot.
However, they’re not always available in certain areas, and not everyone can handle the intense heat they provide. This is why I’ve compiled a list of the best substitutes for scotch bonnet peppers. Some of these scotch bonnet pepper substitutes include habanero peppers, which have a similar heat, and Thai bird’s eye chilis, which are smaller but pack a meaner punch.
If you’re unable to find scotch bonnet peppers at your local grocery store, don’t worry. There are numerous other options available that can either provide a comparable taste or add some spiciness to your dish. So buckle up, as these scotch bonnet pepper alternatives are guaranteed to do the job and satisfy your cravings. But before that, let’s take a look at what this spicy pepper is.
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What Is a Scotch Bonnet Pepper?
The scotch bonnet pepper is a chili pepper commonly used in Caribbean cuisine and renowned for its fruity and fiery flavor. It closely resembles the habanero pepper, with a small, round shape and a unique bonnet-like appearance, hence its name.
Scotch bonnet pepper also has a distinctively spicy and fruity flavor profile, with a sweet taste and notes of citrus and tropical fruit. Its heat level ranges from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units, making it one of the hottest peppers in the world.
Despite its intense heat, it’s highly prized for its complex and delicious flavor that’s often added to dishes like jerk chicken, sauces, and stews.
When Is It Used for Cooking?
Scotch bonnet pepper is a highly versatile spicy ingredient used in dishes beyond Caribbean cuisine. In Mexican cuisine, it can be used in salsa, guacamole, and chili con carne to add a spicy kick. In Indian cuisine, it can be used in curries and chutneys to add heat and depth of flavor.
Thai cuisine also incorporates it in dishes like Tom Yum soup, a popular spicy and sour soup. Another continent, Africa, uses it in its West African jollof rice and Nigerian pepper soup.
It can even be used in fusion dishes that combine different cuisines, such as a spicy jerk chicken on pizza with sauce or a Caribbean-style taco with Scotch bonnet pepper salsa.
Best Scotch Bonnet Pepper Substitute
Jalapeño Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 2 teaspoons of chopped jalapeno pepper
Jalapeño peppers are an amazing ingredient with a considerably mild taste that’s excellent for those who prefer a less spicy flavor. However, this might not always be the case, as the heat level can vary between individual jalapeños, so it’s best to taste-test them before adding them to your dish.
On top of their mild heat, they have a slightly sweet and tangy taste with a hint of smokiness, which can add a delicious roasted-like taste to your dish. Jalapeño peppers are also widely available in most grocery stores, making them a convenient option for home cooks looking to add some quick heat to their dishes.
Habanero Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 1 teaspoon of chopped habanero pepper
When it comes to substituting scotch bonnet peppers, habanero peppers are a top-notch option. Both peppers are known for their fruity flavor and intense heat, making them interchangeable in most recipes.
However, they do tend to be hotter, so you should use them sparingly and have a little nibble before adding too much to your dish. Aside from their heat, habanero peppers also offer a range of health benefits.
They are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium, which can help boost your immune system and support overall health. It also contains capsaicin, a compound shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Thai Red Chili Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 1 teaspoon of chopped Thai red chili peppers
Thai red chili peppers are a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine and have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. Just like habanero peppers, they are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which benefit the immune system and overall health.
Thai red chili peppers also contain capsaicin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and help to reduce pain and swelling. In addition to their health benefits, Thai red chili can be added to soups, curries, stir-fries, and even salads for a spicy kick. They are also commonly used in tasty sauces and marinades and used to make homemade hot sauce.
Cayenne Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 1 teaspoon of chopped cayenne pepper
Cayenne peppers can be an excellent fiery substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers in cooking, as they belong to the same Capsicum family and have comparable heat levels, with Scotch bonnets taking a slight lead.
These peppers are commonly used in Mexican and Cajun cuisine to add a delightful heat to dishes such as soups, stews, and chili. They are also frequently used in spice blends and rubs for vegetable dishes and meats.
As mentioned, they have a slight difference in heat levels, so start with a smaller amount of cayenne peppers and adjust the quantity according to your taste. If the recipe calls for fresh Scotch bonnet peppers, use fresh or powdered cayenne peppers or cayenne pepper as a substitute. If you are using dried cayenne peppers, you should rehydrate them in hot water before using them in a recipe.
Serrano Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 2 teaspoons of chopped serrano pepper
Serrano peppers make for a great alternative to scotch bonnet peppers as while they have a similar heat level, serranos offer a different flavor profile that’s characterized by a bright and fresh taste with a hint of sweetness. This makes them a great choice for recipes that need a spicy kick but also require a different flavor profile than scotch bonnets.
For instance, when making guacamole, serrano peppers can add a nice heat to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients. Similarly, when preparing a spicy chicken stir-fry, serrano peppers can be added to the stir-fry sauce to add a spicy kick while also lending a fresh taste to the dish.
Tabasco Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 2 teaspoons of chopped tabasco pepper
Tabasco peppers and scotch bonnet peppers are two of the most popular chili peppers used in cooking. They both add heat and flavor to dishes but have distinct differences. Scotch bonnet peppers are known for their fruity and floral flavor, while Tabasco peppers have a more acidic and vinegary taste.
They also have a milder flavor, which may not be in everyone’s interest. The balance of heat and vinegar will be up to you to experiment with to find the perfect heat and flavor between both.
Pequin Peppers
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 1 teaspoon of chopped pequin pepper
Pequin peppers are an excellent alternative known for their smoky and spicy flavor. These small red peppers are native to Mexico and are commonly used in Mexican dishes, particularly in salsas and sauces.
Using these tasty little treats as a substitute has two advantages. For starters, these peppers are more accessible and easier to find in most grocery stores, which doesn’t ring the same for Scotch Bonnet peppers as they tend to be more expensive and a bit rarer than this type. Lastly, pequin peppers are slightly milder, which can be beneficial for those who find the heat level of Scotch Bonnets to be too intense.
Fresno Pepper
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 1 teaspoon of chopped fresno pepper
Fresno peppers are a type of chili pepper that’s native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. They have a bright red color when ripe and are about 2-3 inches in length with a medium heat level, similar to jalapeño peppers, and a slightly sweet and smoky flavor.
Fresno peppers can be roasted, grilled, or sautéed and added to salsas, sauces, and marinades. They can also be stuffed with cheese or other fillings and baked or fried. These peppers are also a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, making them a healthy meal addition on top of a delicious, fiery meal.
Peri-Peri Sauce
1 teaspoon of chopped scotch bonnet pepper = 2 teaspoons of peri-peri sauce
Peri-peri sauce is a popular condiment that originated in Portugal and is now commonly used in African and Portuguese cuisine. It’s made from the African bird’s eye chili pepper and includes other ingredients such as garlic, lemon juice, and vinegar. The sauce also has a bright red color and a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, with a heat level that can range from mild to very spicy.
It can be used as a marinade for chicken, fish, or vegetables or as a dipping sauce for appetizers such as chicken wings or shrimp. It can even be added to soups, stews, and casseroles to give them a spicy kick and a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants.