The sport pepper is a type of chili pepper and is widely used as a condiment. These peppers are narrow and small and are known to have a pointed end. These peppers are available in red or green color. In addition, it has a tangy, fiery, and mildly sweet flavor. In most cases, the sport peppers are used in sliced, whole, or pickled forms and are used in New Orleans cuisine. All in all, it’s a versatile ingredient and can add unique flavor to every recipe. However, if you cannot find sport peppers, we are sharing some delicious substitutes with you!
What Is A Sport Pepper Substitute?
- Pickled Serrano Peppers
If you want to enhance the hotness and spiciness in the recipes, you can opt for pickled Serrano peppers which are popular for a punchy flavor. These peppers are extremely popular in Mexican cuisine and can be found in dried, fresh, and pickled forms. These peppers are easily available at specialty markets and local grocery stores. Keep in mind that pickled Serrano peppers tend to be hotter as compared to sport peppers, which is why you should add fewer peppers and add more according to the taste.
It’s recommended that you remove the ribs and seeds from the peppers before adding them to the recipe – it will help reduce the spiciness. The pickled Serrano peppers are available in international sections. For the most part, these peppers have a long and thin shape, which makes them perfect for hot dogs. All in all, the heat level ranges from 10,000 SVU to 23,000 SVU.
- Pickled Jalapeño Peppers
If you have been looking for a fiery and tangy way to add flavor to the recipes, you can opt for pickled jalapeno peppers. For those who don’t know, jalapeno peppers are chili peppers that have a serious punch of heat and spiciness. These peppers can be added to a variety of dishes, including Mexican cuisine. In addition, you can use them to spice up the sausages. However, you must remember that pickled jalapeno peppers have a bold flavor, so start with fewer peppers. These peppers can be sliced and added to salads and sandwiches. It has a tangy bite, but the heat is a bit less.
- Pickled Pepperoncini
This pepper variety belongs to the capsicum variety and has a similar spice and heat level. These are extremely versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes, such as topping for pizzas and salads. In addition, the pickled pepperoncini can be added to burgers and sandwiches to add a kick of heat and crunch. The best thing about this pepper variety is that it’s suitable for people who don’t like higher spiciness.
- Chipotle Peppers
These peppers are extremely close to jalapenos, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that they are the smoky version of jalapenos. The chili made from chipotle peppers makes a great seasoning, which makes a great addition to Tex-Mex and Mexican recipes. It has a moderate heat level and will add mildly sweet and spicy flavor to the recipe. Also, many people don’t know this, but chipotle peppers have a tangy undertone that complements the ingredients.
- Guajillo Chili
This is basically a Mexican pepper, which can be used to season classical as well as traditional cuisines. It is widely compared to jalapenos, but it has a fruity aroma, but the spiciness is mellow hot. For this reason, it can be used as a substitute for short peppers. As far as the usage is concerned, Guajillo chili can be added to different savory sauces, sausages, dips, and salsas.
- Puya Peppers
These are moderately spicy peppers that can be used to enhance the flavor of Mexican dishes. The best part about using puya peppers is that the spice level is perfect for everyone and has fruity flesh.
The Bottom Line
As this article shows, there are various substitutes for short pepper. All the substitutes mentioned in this article add spiciness and hotness to the dish without overpowering the recipe. Also, almost all of them are easy to find and are affordable as well. So, start with a 1:1 substitution ratio and increase the peppers according to the recipe!