Fiery Flavor: 5 Best Substitutes for Aji Amarillo Paste

Aji Amarillo paste lights up dishes with its unique kick and vibrant color.

But what if your pantry’s missing this key ingredient? No sweat.

We’ve dug deep and found five killer subs to keep your food game on point.

Each brings its own flair, ensuring your dishes stay deliciously fiery.

Why settle for bland when you can have bold?

These alternatives ensure your cooking never misses a beat.

Stick with us as we guide you through each one, making your kitchen adventures as spicy and straightforward as possible.

You’re about to become the go-to flavor master among your friends.

What is Aji Amarillo Paste?

Aji Amarillo paste is a bright orange, thick sauce made from Aji Amarillo chili peppers and various other ingredients such as lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and salt.

The Aji Amarillo pepper is native to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador.

It has been spreading through other regions due to increased popularity outside of its native range.

Aji Amarillo paste is served in many dishes ranging from meats and vegetables to soups and seafood.

Examples of recipes that use this sauce include Arroz Chaufa, Anticucho de Pollo, Ceviche, Papa a la Huancaina, Lomo Saltado, Aji de Gallina, and Aji de Camarones.

This paste is a common ingredient in Peruvian cuisine and can be found at many local restaurants.

It is also available on Amazon.

com for purchase by those who want to make their recipes or even have it on hand as a condiment.

When paired with the right foods, this sauce can create an amazing taste that benefits any meal.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Aji Amarillo Paste

Aji Amarillo paste is a popular ingredient in Peruvian cuisine, known for its unique flavor and vibrant color.

However, if you don’t have access to Aji Amarillo paste, there are several substitutes that can provide similar flavor profiles and heat levels.

In this guide, we will explore the top 5 substitutes for Aji Amarillo paste, comparing their key characteristics and providing the proper ratios to ensure the best results in your recipes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Chipotle Peppers	Smoky, spicy, with a hint of sweetness	Replace 1 tbsp of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 tsp of adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
Roasted Poblano Peppers	Mild heat, earthy flavor	Use 1 roasted and peeled poblano pepper per 1 tbsp of Aji Amarillo paste
Dried or Frozen Aji Amarillo Chiles	Concentrated flavor, similar to Aji Amarillo	Soak 2-3 dried chiles until soft, remove seeds, blend into a paste; use equal amount as Aji Amarillo paste
Scotch Bonnet Peppers	Intense heat, fruity flavor	Replace 1 tbsp of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 minced Scotch bonnet peppers
Habanero Peppers	Fiery heat, fruity and tropical flavor	Replace 1 tbsp of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 minced habanero peppers

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Chipotle Peppers

Chipotle peppers are made from smoked jalapeno peppers.

They are dried to make them easy to store and transport.

Typically, making these peppers involves smoking them over pecan or mesquite wood.

This is why they have a distinct smoky flavor that resembles bacon or ham, which some people may enjoy.

The heat is significant but not overwhelming.

As a result, this makes it great for those who can’t handle spicy food or want to tone down the heat.

Chipotle pepper powder is available in most grocery stores and online retailers.

For instance, it can be purchased on Amazon.com for under $8 per jar.

In addition, it is often used to make taco meat and chili sauce.

• Key Characteristics: Chipotle peppers are smoke-dried jalapeño peppers known for their smoky, spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness. While they may not provide an exact match in flavor, chipotle peppers can add depth and complexity to your dishes as a substitute for Aji Amarillo paste.
• Proper Ratio: Replace 1 tablespoon of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 teaspoons of adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers. Adjust the amount based on your desired level of spiciness.

2 – Roasted Pablano Peppers

Pablano peppers may also be used as a substitute for Aji Amarillo paste.

They are commonly stuffed with cheese and served alongside other dishes such as fajitas or burgers.

Their flavor profile makes them ideal for many different types of dishes.

These peppers are typically light in color but can vary quite a bit depending on how ripe they are when picked.

Although somewhat spicy, the heat level is not overwhelming like chipotle peppers.

Pablano peppers are indigenous to Mexico and may make salsa or southwestern food.

These peppers can be a tasty addition to your meal when prepared properly.

They may be found in most grocery stores or from multiple online retailers.

• Key Characteristics: Roasted poblano peppers have a mild heat level and offer an earthy flavor profile. They provide a subtle but delicious flavor that can be a suitable alternative to Aji Amarillo paste.
• Proper Ratio: Use 1 roasted and peeled poblano pepper for every tablespoon of Aji Amarillo paste required in your recipe. Blend the roasted pepper until smooth.

3 – Dried or Frozen Aji Amarillo Chiles

Another option is to use dried or frozen aji Amarillo peppers.

Not only will this add hot flavor to your dish, but it will also provide an extra spicy kick that may be too much for some people.

These peppers do not freeze well when fresh and must be added after cooking.

They are typically sold in powdered form since they are dried.

As a result, they may be easier to find than fresh ones and may not last as long in your pantry.

Since these peppers are so hard, grinding or blending them into a paste is nearly impossible.

Typically, only the seeds are removed before being picked and sold commercially.

Removing the seeds will make the pepper less hot.

• Key Characteristics: If you’re looking for the closest substitute to Aji Amarillo paste, dried or frozen Aji Amarillo chiles are the way to go. They offer a concentrated flavor and heat level similar to Aji Amarillo.
• Proper Ratio: For dried chiles, soak 2-3 chiles in warm water until soft. Remove the seeds and blend with a small amount of water to create a paste. Use an equal amount of Aji Amarillo paste called for in your recipe. For frozen chiles, thaw them and blend directly into a paste.

4 – Scotch Bonnet Peppers

If you can handle the heat, scotch bonnet peppers may be used in place of Aji Amarillo paste.

They are similar to habaneros and can find fresh outside of Caribbean countries.

This might make it hard for some people to use them as a substitute for the original sauce.

If you can find these peppers at your local grocery store, consider yourself lucky.

The amount of heat in each pepper will vary.

As a result, the heat level of your recipe may also change depending on which peppers you use.

This type of pepper is native to Jamaica and was named after the Scottish bonnet (cap) due to its resemblance to one.

They can be found in many European ethnic markets but are not very common at most grocery stores.

• Key Characteristics: Scotch bonnet peppers are known for their intense heat and fruity flavor. While their flavor profile differs from Aji Amarillo, Scotch bonnet peppers can provide a similar level of spiciness to your dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Replace 1 tablespoon of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 minced Scotch bonnet peppers. Adjust the amount based on your desired level of heat.

5 – Habanero Peppers

The final alternative is to use habanero peppers.

They are extremely hot but have a nice fruitiness that makes them ideal for many dishes.

To avoid hot spots in your dish, be sure to remove the seeds from the habanero pepper before you add it.

Also, you must use rubber gloves when handling these peppers since they can burn your hands if you don’t.

If possible, try wearing a mask since breathing in the fumes from these peppers may irritate.

Habanero peppers are commonly made with hot sauce but may also be found fresh in specialty shops or grocery stores.

However, these are often very expensive and usually only available during summer.

• Key Characteristics: Habanero peppers are extremely hot with a fruity and tropical flavor. While they are hotter than Aji Amarillo, habanero peppers can bring a similar level of heat and complexity to your dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Replace 1 tablespoon of Aji Amarillo paste with 1-2 minced habanero peppers. Adjust the amount based on your desired level of spiciness.

Conclusion

Aji Amarillo paste is a common ingredient in many South American dishes.

Since it can be difficult to purchase outside of South America, many people are looking for the best substitutes that will allow them to create these dishes at home.

Chipotle pepper powder, roasted poblano peppers, dried/frozen Aji Amarillo chiles, scotch bonnet peppers, and habanero peppers are all suitable alternatives that can be used in place of aji Amarillo paste.

Each one provides a different texture and flavor profile, so choose the best substitute based on your cooking preferences.