Substitutes for Turkish red pepper paste (biber salçası)?
I'm interested in trying out a few Turkish recipes that call for red pepper paste (biber salçası). This is the only ingredient I can't seem to find at any local stores.
Are there any good substitutes for this? I would imagine gochujang is probably not a good fit (it's too sweet) and that other pepper sauces (sriracha, tabasco, etc.) probably have the wrong flavor profiles.
Best Answer
If you're wanting to make some different Turkish foods, I'd hazard a guess you enjoy cooking, so why not make your own? I found a recipe classed as 'Easy', taking 1 hour to prepare and 50 minutes to cook. I read it has the consistency of tomato paste (contains no tomatoes) and looks to be from the photo.
Among the list of ingredients is bullhorn peppers. Perhaps a local name but when I looked up what they were, they looked exactly like Hungarian sweet peppers. The name 'bullhorn' comes from their shape as they curve and taper to a point like horns. Here's a photo: 
Give it a try! If you really enjoy the Turkish recipes you make, you'll likely want to make them again so having some biber salças? around will come in handy. http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/pepper-paste-biber-salcasi
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Quick Answer about "Substitutes for Turkish red pepper paste (biber salçası)?"
As a substitute, you could use red pepper flakes and soy sauce. This is basically gochujang without adding the sugar. The flavor profile will be a bit different but you'll still get some of that heat + umami.What can I substitute for Turkish pepper paste?
But you don't really need all three types; tomato paste and sweet red pepper paste are enough. Italian-style tomato paste is a fine substitute for Turkish tomato paste\u2014though the latter, sold in big jars, is more economical.What can I use instead of biber salçası?
If you need a quick fix and you do not have any Biber Sal\xe7asi, then you can use a substitute in its place. Which substitute you use depends on what purpose you were going to use the Biber Sal\xe7asi for in the first place. For example, if you were using it for the heat level, then you can simply use red peppers.How do you make Turkish hot pepper paste?
Use knife to remove stems from bell peppers, then pull away and discard the seeds and membranes. Rough chop the peppers and chiles and put into a food processor or high speed blender. Add the lemon juice, garlic and salt. Puree on high until a smooth paste forms.What is Turkish red pepper paste called?
Turkish pepper paste - or biber salcasi - is a thick deep red paste made by blending together cooked red peppers and salt. Use the Turkish pepper paste in dressings for bulghur wheat salads, stir into shakshuka, and even mix the pepper paste together with za'atar, spread on bread, and cook in the oven.How To Make Red Pepper Paste!
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Answer 2
As a substitute, you could use red pepper flakes and soy sauce. This is basically gochujang without adding the sugar. The flavor profile will be a bit different but you'll still get some of that heat + umami.
You can also pick up some of what you are looking for on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tamek-Pepper-Paste-Biber-Salcasi/dp/B005WKG4JY
Lastly, you could make some yourself!
- De-stem and de-seed peppers
- Use a mortar and pestle to turn them into a paste, and add some salt during that process
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Images: Karolina Grabowska, Engin Akyurt, Engin Akyurt, Angele J