7

What pepper can be substituted for a habanero when no habaneros are available?

1
  • 1
    What is the purpose in using the habanero to begin with? Any pepper can add flavor or heat ; but if you're looking for one or the other a particular pepper might help get you a better, more accessible answer. For instance, the Scotch bonnet @Bob mentioned is the same species but you're not likely to have one available without the other.
    – mfg
    Oct 23, 2010 at 0:43

3 Answers 3

7

Scotch bonnet is very similar, if they're available.

1
  • +1. I'm in the UK. It's really hard to find Habaneros, but Scotch Bonnets are in almost every supermarket. They're sweet, fruity, and oh-god-that-was-a-mistake hot. :)
    – TarkaDaal
    Jun 22, 2012 at 13:28
6

Very few peppers have both the intense fruitiness and the extreme heat level of a habanero. One option might be to use a combination of dried ancho chilis for their fruitiness, and a fresh hot chili of your choice for the spice level. Thai bird chilis, for example, are quite hot.

1
  • I really enjoy the flavor of those things, but the level of hot they bring is such an issue... Oct 23, 2010 at 22:23
1

Another very hot*, fruity pepper is the Bhut Jolokia, but if you don't have habanero where you are you probably don't have ghost peppers either. (Hottest depending on where it's grown)

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.