The pepperoncini pepper, a mild, tangy member of the pepper family, is a staple in Greek and Italian cuisines. Known for its mild heat (100 to 500 SHU on the Scoville scale) and a slightly sweet taste, it’s a favorite in salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. However, you might consider several other peppers when they’re not readily available or if you want to explore different taste profiles. Here’s a list of seven notable pepperoncini substitutes that can add a unique zing to your dishes.
Key Takeaways
- Banana peppers offer a milder heat and sweeter taste, making them a seamless substitute in salads and pickled preparations, similar to pepperoncini peppers.
- Jalapeño peppers provide a robust chili flavor and elevated heat, suitable for spicing up mild dishes, representing a spicier alternative to pepperoncini peppers.
- Hungarian wax peppers offer a bolder, spicier flavor, excellent for dishes requiring a spicy kick, with their tanginess adding a unique zest.
- Poblano peppers introduce a rich, smoky flavor with a mild heat, ideal for recipes calling for a subtle spicy touch, aligning well with the gentle heat of pepperoncini peppers.
- Cherry peppers deliver a sweet yet spicy profile, enriching salads and antipasto platters with a significantly hotter heat experience than pepperoncini peppers.
- Anaheim peppers offer a slightly sweeter flavor with a mild to moderate heat level, adding a variety to dishes and serving as a flexible substitute in recipes desiring a gentle spice kick with a bit more heat.
- Cubanelle peppers present a slightly hotter yet sweeter alternative, with their thicker flesh ideal for stuffing and varied culinary applications, introducing a mild kick to dishes alongside a sweet undertone.
These various pepper substitutes bring a unique flavor and heat profile, providing an array of options for culinary enthusiasts looking to explore beyond the mild and slightly sweet taste of pepperoncini peppers.
Table of contents
7 Top Picks to Substitute Pepperoncini Peppers for a Flavorful Twist
1. Banana Peppers
Banana peppers align closely with pepperoncini peppers regarding heat level.
| Pepperoncini pepper | Banana pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 0 - 500 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 250 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Sweet and tangy, with a mild heat |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | South America (believed) |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Pickling, stuffing, roasting, grilling, salads, etc. |
Why are banana peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini peppers?
Banana peppers provide a milder, sweeter flavor, making a great substitute in salads, pickled preparations, and mild dishes.
Banana peppers, with a Scoville heat rating of 0 to 500 SHU, offer a slightly milder heat and sweeter taste than pepperoncini peppers. Excelling in similar culinary roles, especially in salads and pickled peppers, they provide a less spicy yet flavorful alternative. Their mildness and sweet flavor make them a versatile substitute in various dishes like Greek salads, sandwiches, or pizzas, ensuring a delightful variation in taste while maintaining a similar heat profile, making them a convenient alternative when pepperoncini peppers are unavailable.
2. Jalapeño Peppers
Jalapeño peppers are 18 times hotter than pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
| Pepperoncini pepper | Jalapeño pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 2,500 - 8,000 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 5,250 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Grassy, vegetale, slightly sweet, and moderately spicy |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | Mexico |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Salsas, guacamole, nachos, jalapeño poppers, etc. |
Why are Jalapeño peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini peppers?
Jalapeño peppers provide a robust chili flavor and elevated heat, making them suitable for spicing up mild dishes.
Jalapeño peppers, showcasing a Scoville heat rating of 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, offer a bolder heat and characteristic chili flavor, distinguishing them from pepperoncini peppers. They thrive in culinary applications where a spicier element is sought, thus serving as an apt substitute for pepperoncini in mild dishes needing a spicy kick. Jalapeños inject a zestier, robust flavor, especially in Mexican cuisine, elevating the flavor profile of dishes. Their common presence in grocery stores makes them a convenient and versatile substitute for pepperoncini peppers, broadening the spectrum of heat and flavor in your culinary ventures.
3. Hungarian Wax Peppers
Hungarian wax peppers are 25 times hotter than pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
Why are Hungarian wax peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini peppers?
Hungarian wax peppers, with their spicy nature and tangy taste, offer a bolder flavor, making a lively substitute for milder pepperoncini peppers in spicy dishes.
Hungarian wax peppers, with a Scoville heat rating of 5,000 to 10,000 SHU, are hotter, imparting a bolder, spicier flavor compared to pepperoncini peppers. They excel in dishes where a spicy kick is desired, making them a suitable alternative for those craving more heat.
Their tangy taste adds a unique zest, enhancing the flavor dimensions of various culinary creations. The versatility of Hungarian wax peppers extends to their use, either fresh or pickled, fitting seamlessly in recipes from salads to pickled pepper preparations, offering an adventurous flavor exploration for those keen on spicier pepper substitutes.
4. Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are 4 times hotter than pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
| Pepperoncini pepper | Poblano pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 1,000 - 1,500 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 1,250 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Mild, rich and earthy flavor |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | Mexico |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Stuffed, roasted, sauces |
Why are poblano peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini peppers?
Poblano peppers provide a mild heat and rich, smoky flavor, serving as a versatile substitute for pepperoncini peppers in mild, spicy dishes.
Poblano peppers, with a Scoville heat rating of 1,000 to 1,500 SHU, provide a distinctive rich, smoky flavor and a mild heat, rendering them an exceptional substitute for pepperoncini peppers in recipes calling for a subtle, spicy touch. Their thicker flesh is ideal for stuffing, and their mild heat is perfect for those preferring less spiciness, aligning well with the gentle heat of pepperoncini peppers.
Whether fresh or dried, Poblano peppers introduce a unique flavor profile to various dishes, making them versatile for culinary explorations. They excel in Mexican dishes, stuffed pepper preparations, or any meal desiring a subtle kick, offering a gentle escalation in heat level while enriching the dish with a distinct smoky essence and maintaining a manageable heat level similar to pepperoncini peppers.
5. Cherry Peppers
Cherry peppers are 13 times hotter than Pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
| Pepperoncini pepper | Cherry pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 2,500 - 5,000 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 3,750 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Sweet, mild |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | Americas, Europe |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Pickling, stuffing, salads |
Why are cherry peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini?
Cherry peppers serve as a colorful and zestier substitute for pepperoncini, with their sweet yet spicy profile enriching salads and antipasto platters while providing a significantly hotter heat experience.
Cherry peppers, boasting a Scoville heat rating of 2,500 to 5,000 SHU, emerge as a versatile substitute for pepperoncini peppers, offering a blend of mild to moderate heat. Their prowess shines in salads, antipasto platters, and pickled preparations, delivering a spicy kick intertwined with a sweet flavor.
The vibrant color and thicker flesh of these peppers, ideal for stuffing, inject a delightful aesthetic and flavor variation into culinary creations. For those aiming to elevate the heat slightly or introduce a sweeter note, cherry peppers are a noteworthy choice, enriching the flavor profile of dishes traditionally employing pepperoncini peppers.
6. Anaheim Peppers
Anaheim peppers are 5 times hotter than pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
| Pepperoncini pepper | Anaheim pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 500 - 2,500 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 1,500 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Mild, sweet and fruity, tangy |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | USA |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Grilled, stuffed, salsas |
Why are Anaheim peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini?
Anaheim peppers, being hotter yet slightly sweeter, offer a flavor enhancement and mild heat upgrade from pepperoncini, adding variety to dishes.
Anaheim peppers, with a Scoville heat rating of 500 to 2,500 SHU, present a mild to moderate heat level. Coupled with a slightly sweeter flavor, they make a flexible substitute, especially in recipes desiring a gentle spice kick with a bit more heat. They blend well in various cooked dishes, salads, and mild dishes, introducing a different taste profile without a significant increase in spice levels. The slightly sweeter undertone of Anaheim peppers adds a unique flavor, providing a mild yet flavorful alternative for those keen on exploring a different pepper variety. Whether fresh or dried, their moderate spice level and sweet taste deem them an excellent substitute for pepperoncini peppers, particularly in recipes that call for a mild, sweet pepper with a slightly elevated heat.
7. Cubanelle Peppers
Cubanelle peppers are 2 times hotter than pepperoncini peppers.
(on average, based on available data)
| Pepperoncini pepper | Cubanelle pepper | |
| SHU | 100 - 500 | 100 - 1,000 |
| Median SHU | 300 | 550 |
| Flavor | Mildly sweet and tangy, with a slight heat | Mild and sweet, with a slight heat |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy | South and Central America, but commonly grown in Italy too |
| Uses | Pickling, salads, sandwiches, antipasto, etc. | Salads, stir-fries, stuffing, sandwiches, etc. |
Why are Cubanelle peppers a good substitute for pepperoncini?
Cubanelle peppers offer a sweeter, mildly spicier flavor with thicker flesh, ideal for stuffing and varied culinary applications.
Cubanelle peppers, with a Scoville heat rating of 100 to 1,000 SHU, present a slightly hotter yet sweeter alternative to pepperoncini peppers. Their thicker flesh makes them a great choice for stuffed pepper recipes, and their sweeter taste can add a unique flavor to mild dishes, salads, and antipasto platters.
The somewhat higher heat level of Cubanelle peppers than pepperoncini introduces a mild kick to the dishes, making them suitable for those who appreciate a hint of spiciness alongside a sweet undertone.
Their substantial flesh holds up well during cooking, ensuring a satisfying texture in the final dish. Whether used in stuffed pepper preparations, pickled, or incorporated into salads and mild dishes, Cubanelle peppers offer a delightful variation in flavor and texture, making them a noteworthy substitute for pepperoncini peppers in various culinary creations.