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Looking for Substitute For Bell Pepper? We’ve rounded up the best options for you!
Bell peppers are bursting with flavor. They are versatile and a lot milder than chili peppers. Because of this, they can be incorporated into a variety of meals.
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As delicious as bell peppers are, you may be feeling a little bored of them. Alternatively, you may be allergic to peppers or simply be disappointed by their taste.
Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing alternatives to this pepper. If you want to add a little diversity to a dish, feel free to try some of these substitutes.
What are Bell Peppers?
Bell peppers are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. They are renowned for their bright colors and sweet flavor. For example, you can find red, yellow, and green peppers. Bell peppers can be eaten raw or cooked. It can be used to make:
- Soups
- Salads
- Stuffed peppers
- Spaghetti bolognese
Not only do they taste great, but they also have numerous health benefits. This is because they are rich in nutrients such as antioxidants and vitamins C, A, and E.
The antioxidants that are present in these peppers, such as quercetin and capsanthin, help fight the cells of cancer and other diseases. As mentioned, they contain vitamin C which helps your body absorb iron from foods.
Meanwhile, vitamin A is beneficial for your vision and aids the immune system. Last of all, vitamin E is a nutrient that fights against aging.
These peppers also contain small amounts of fiber. Fiber is important because it keeps your digestive system healthy. It also helps prevent constipation. Finally, these peppers are high in potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure.
Substitute For Bell Pepper: Your Options
You may not like the taste of bell peppers. If you don’t like the taste of these peppers, you can substitute them with any of the following:
Celery
The first substitute that you can try is celery. Celery has a similar texture to bell peppers. However, its flavor is quite different. You will notice that celery lacks the sweetness of bell peppers.
The intensity of its flavor varies considerably, with some celery being quite strong while others are milder.
That being said, celery is still very good at complementing many dishes. For example, you can use celery as a base ingredient in salads.
Celery also works as an effective substitute because it contains similar nutritional advantages. They are great sources of antioxidants and vitamin C.
Onion
Next, onions are often used in many of the same dishes as bell peppers, including curries and bolognese sauces. Consequently, they are sensational substitutes. Onions are very versatile, perhaps even more so than bell peppers. In fact, they can be used in a wide range of recipes.
There are lots of different types of these vegetables, including red, yellow, pearl, sweet, and green onions. Feel free to experiment with some of these varieties to find the one that works best for you.
While red onions are particularly sharp when eaten raw in salads, white onions work best when cooked. Try adding some fried onions to a dish in place of bell pepper.
One thing that makes onions stand out is their distinct aroma. Most people associate onion with the smell of garlic. However, onions actually have a sweeter scent. Furthermore, onions are excellent for cooking because they are low on calories but high in vitamin C and B.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a healthy alternative to bell peppers, then you should definitely consider using onions.
Garlic
Do you love the smell of garlic? We find this scent irresistible! Simply crushing or chopping the garlic into small pieces and adding it to a dish can increase the flavor tenfold. Garlic has an incredibly pungent flavor that can enhance dishes.
However, garlic also has several health benefits. Like many of the other substitutes in this list, it is a powerful antioxidant that prevents cell damage caused by free radicals. Moreover, it boosts the immune system. Additionally, garlic is a natural antibiotic that kills bacteria.
Though garlic can add some mild spice to your meals, it may not work in some dishes that call for substantial amounts of bell peppers. This is because garlic is used as more of a spice than a substantial component of a dish.
Mushroom
Mushrooms: you either love them or hate them. Some people think mushrooms taste like dirt. Others swear by them as a delicious side dish. Either way, mushrooms are certainly worth trying, especially if you like an earthy flavor.
They work great in casseroles and bolognese sauces, making them astonishing alternatives for peppers.
They are high in protein and low in fat. Mushrooms are also rich in iron, which is essential for blood formation. Mushrooms contain plenty of vitamins and minerals such as A, B6, E, K, and C. These nutrients help boost immunity.
As with onions, there are plenty of different types of mushrooms for you to taste. You can try button, portabella, shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms.
All of these varieties will provide unique flavors that make them perfect replacements for bell peppers. Mushrooms can be used in risottos, casseroles, soups, and pies.
Jalapeno Chili Pepper
If you prefer a bit of a kick in your food as opposed to mild heat, you should contemplate adding jalapeno peppers. They are ranked between 4,000 and 8,500 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they are considered medium to low heat.
As a result, you can add a little bit of spice to the dish without feeling as though your tongue has been burned off!
Furthermore, a jalapeno pepper is the perfect substitute because it is rich in vitamins B6, C, and E. If you want to make stuffed peppers but prefer something with a spicy flavor, you should instead make stuffed jalapeno peppers.
Try this tasty recipe if this appeals to you.
Bok Choy
Lastly, we would recommend trying bok choy. It is one of our favorite vegetables. Bok choy comes from China and is related to cabbage. It tastes similar to broccoli and spinach. The leaves are crunchy and full of vitamins and minerals.
Though it may not be the most obvious of substitutes, bok choy is comparable to a bell pepper in terms of texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Bell Peppers Different Colors?
The reason why you may see bell peppers in different shades of green, red, yellow, and orange is that the color marks how ripe they are. Bell peppers are originally green, but they slowly change color as they ripen. As they go through this process, they become sweeter.
A pepper that has been picked before it can mature will be green. Meanwhile, if it has been left to mature for a while the pepper will become yellow and eventually red.
What Type of Peppers are Healthier?
Because they have been allowed to mature, red peppers are slightly healthier than green bell peppers. Red peppers will contain larger amounts of vitamin A and C.
Final Thoughts: Substitute For Bell Pepper
We hope that this guide was helpful for those who have unsuccessfully tried substituting bell peppers for another vegetable. Hopefully, now you know how to choose the best replacement for bell peppers. This can add some much-needed diversity to your dishes.
Your turn! Will you try a substitute for pepper?
For more frequently asked questions, visit our index of food-related questions and answers. Here are a few suggestions for you: