Green peppers add a lot of flavor and crunch to dishes. If you’re looking to spice up your meal with some peppers, but don’t have the green ones on hand, it may seem like you’re out of luck.
However, there are many other types of peppers that can be used as substitutes for green peppers in recipes.
The 11 options listed below will help give you a variety of choices depending on what kind of recipe you want to make and how strong or mild pepper flavor is desired.
Table of Contents
11 Best Green Pepper Substitutes
The best substitutes for green pepper are poblano peppers and jalapenos. You can also use yellow bell peppers, red bell peppers, and anaheim peppers as a green pepper substitute in most recipes.
Continue reading to know how and where you can use these ingredients in place of green pepper.
1. Poblano Peppers
Called the ancho pepper in its dried form, this is a mild chili pepper that most closely resembles green bell peppers.
It has a meaty texture and smoky flavor. These green chilies can be used as green peppers replacement when making enchiladas, tacos, or other Mexican dishes.
Poblano peppers are slightly spicier than green pepper.
2. Jalapenos
Jalapenos are closer to the spiciness of actual green peppers than any other type of substitute on this list. These are a good choice for adding a spicy kick to any food.
Jalapeños have a vibrant green color and add fresh flavor to foods, like guacamole or taco salad.
They can also be used as an alternative in recipes that call for green peppers, but require them to be cooked.
Jalapenos contain a mild to moderate heat level that you can use in place of green peppers, depending on the recipe you are making.
3. Yellow Bell Peppers
This is a very versatile pepper that is sweeter than both green and red bells.
Yellow bell peppers have more Vitamin C than any other pepper and add a unique flavor to dishes.
Their brighter color makes them great for adding aesthetic value to dishes without affecting the taste of the food.
Yellow bell peppers are best when they are roasted, grilled, or sauteed so their natural sugars come out in each dish. Its sweeter taste makes it perfect for salad dressings or salsas.
4. Red Bell Peppers
Red bell pepper is another sweet alternative to green peppers. They are sweeter than their yellow or orange counterparts and have a slightly tangier flavor.
Red bell peppers can stand on their own when used in soups, salads, and other dishes, but adding them to green pepper recipes also gives the food extra flavor.
These red sweet peppers have a lower water content than their other red cousins, which makes them the ideal choice for any dish. They make great additions to fruit salads or pasta dishes.
5. Orange Bell Peppers
This is another less spicy pepper that tastes like a sweeter version of green peppers. These peppers have the same flavor as the Red bell pepper, but they’re sweeter and have a higher vitamin C content.
Their crisp texture and mild flavor make this option very versatile in cooking.
Orange bell peppers can be used as a substitute for green peppers in stir-fry, stew, or soup recipes.
These bell peppers add a splash of color to your dish and will enhance the taste without diminishing the flavor of other ingredients.
6. Purple Bell Peppers
This is a sweeter pepper that can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. Its beautiful purple color makes it a great decorative alternative in salads.
Purple bell peppers can be used as substitute for green pepper when making mashed potatoes or other creamy dishes, but they contain a much higher calorie and carbohydrate content than regular green peppers.
7. Anaheim Peppers
This long pepper is sometimes referred to as the California Pepper. It is usually smaller than green pepper and contains a mild spicier flavor.
Anaheim peppers are typically red, but they can also be found in green, yellow, and orange.
They are best when used in Mexican dishes like enchiladas or as an alternative to green chilies in stir-fry recipes.
8. Pimiento Peppers
This pepper is very similar to a green bell, but it has more of a tangy flavor.
Pimientos are small and red and they come from the same plant family as red and yellow bell peppers.
They make great additions to salads or can be added to sandwiches when making alternative lunches for children.
This pepper is a great way to eat healthy in the summertime or when you want a change of pace from green bell peppers.
9. Onion
This vegetable is great for adding flavor to dishes when green peppers are not available.
Onions have a stronger taste than green peppers, so they’re best added in small quantities or as a garnish unless the recipe specifically calls for onions.
Fried onions can turn sweeter while losing some of their sharp taste. Onions can be used as an alternative for adding color and flavor to salads and hashes.
10. Cubanelle Peppers
Cubanelle peppers are often mistaken for banana peppers because they both come from the same plant. Cubanelles are long and thin with a slightly more spicy taste than green peppers.
These peppers have a meatier texture and are great when grilled or roasted. They can be substituted in recipes that call for green bell, red bell, or yellow bell peppers because of their similar flavors.
11. Zucchini
This vegetable can be used to make similar dishes like those that call for green peppers.
Zucchini has a very mild taste, but it is slightly more watery than other options. It’s best when used in casseroles or soups because of this quality.
This is one of the healthier alternatives on the list because it’s low in calories and cholesterol. It is also a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamin A and magnesium.
This is the best substitute for green peppers if you’re trying to avoid carbs. However, be sure not to overcook them or they will become soggy and watery.
What is Green Pepper?
Green peppers are a vegetable that belongs to the Capsicum genus of plants, which also includes cayenne, jalapeno, and bell peppers.
Green peppers are a type of bell pepper that is green from the time they are picked from the vine.
They have not yet matured into a ripe red, orange, or yellow color. The way they are cultivated is by preventing the plant from maturing naturally.
Green peppers might be substituted with a different kind of pepper that has a similar taste or texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does green pepper taste like?
Its flavor is very similar to bell peppers, but green pepper has a slightly spicier taste and smell. Green pepper can be chopped and added to different soups, stews, salads, or as a side dish.
What color pepper is closest to a green pepper?
Yellow and orange pepper come pretty close to the flavor profile of green pepper. However, they are sweeter and have slightly different tastes.
What is the difference between green peppers and red peppers?
Both of these vegetables come from the same plant, so they have a similar flavor. The main difference is that green bell pepper is unripe while red bell pepper has been left to ripen in a different stage of development.
Green bell peppers are usually crunchier and contain less vitamin C than red peppers.
Can I use paprika instead of bell pepper?
If you want to opt for a different color, paprika is a great substitute. It is made from bell peppers and can be used as an alternative in many recipes.
Are poblano peppers the same as bell peppers?
No, they belong to different plant families. However, both of them are very similar in flavor and can be used interchangeably in dishes that call for green peppers.
What common seasoning comes from green peppers?
Paprika is a very popular spice that comes from bell peppers. It gets its red color because it’s been dried for several months.
Final Words
In conclusion, there are many green pepper substitutes that can be used in recipes or to make different dishes. It’s important not to overcook them so they don’t become soggy and watery.
If you want an alternative color of pepper then the traditional bell, yellow or orange pepper work well as a substitute by adding flavor or just being used as a garnish.
The substitutes for green peppers that I’ve provided all have their own unique taste and flavor. It’s important to do your research beforehand so you know which substitute will work best in a specific dish or recipe.
Hope this post has been helpful, and don’t forget to like and share!
Until next time!
