Cayenne pepper

cayenne pepper

Flavor and role

A finely ground powder of small, hot red chilies, with little aroma but strong heat. Add a little at a time to control the heat.

Typical dishes and uses

Cajun dishes, gumbo, buffalo wing sauce, devilled eggs, barbecue rubs.

Substitutes

¼ tsp cayenne = ¼ tsp Cheongyang chili powder (Korean hot chili powder; or any hot chili powder) or ½ tsp red chili flakes.

Storage

Light and heat quickly dull the colour and aroma. Sealed and refrigerated or frozen, it keeps its bright colour and aroma for about 1 year.

Main countries

United States · Mexico · India

Used in this book

Aloo KeemaBissara (Moroccan Fava Bean Soup)BouillabaisseChicken and Andouille Sausage GumboJambalayaKefta TaginePol SambolButtermilk Southern Fried ChickenSuyaZaaloukAlbóndigas Bravas TraybakeAloo Keema Quesadillas with Green Chutney Crema (Pakistani × Mexican)Aloo Keema Puff Triangles with Mint Yogurt DipSouthern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spiced Maple ButterBissara with Garlic Confit and Toasted Cumin OilMarseille Bouillabaisse with Rockfish Broth and Potato RouilleMexican Hot Chocolate Brigadeiros with Cinnamon and ChiliDouble-Fried Buffalo Wings with Chunky Blue CheeseSeared Cabbage Boil with Andouille, Shrimp and Homemade Cajun SpiceWine-Braised Chicken Paprikash with Butter Nokedli and Cucumber SaladApple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesSeafood and Okra Gumbo with Shrimp-Shell StockCajun Gumbo Mac and Cheese with Andouille and ShrimpCajun Brown Jambalaya with Shrimp-Shell StockJambalaya Arancini with Cajun RémouladeKelewele Caramel Sundae with Honey Peanut CrunchChurro Loukoumades with Mexican Cinnamon-Chocolate Sauce (Greek × Mexican)Gruyère and Aged Cheddar Mac with Crispy PankoDouble Ta'leya Molokhia with Roast Chicken and Vermicelli RiceBravas rösti brunch with fried eggsPeri-Peri Popcorn ChickenPol Sambol Prawn Aglio e Olio (Sri Lankan × Italian)Puff-Puff with Mexican Spiced Chocolate Dip (Nigerian x Mexican)Crispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeCreole Rajma Red Beans and Rice (Louisiana × Punjabi)Smoked Mackerel Red-Red with Kelewele-Spiced PlantainCharleston Shrimp and Grits with Shrimp-Stock Sausage GravyCrispy Cheddar Grit Bites with Cajun Shrimp and RémouladeLard-Fried Double-Dredged Chicken with Peppered Cream GravyCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Beef Yaki UdonSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingWaakye with Homemade Shito

Updated 2026-10-10