Bird’s eye chili, also known as Thai chili, is a small, very spicy chili pepper. It is a key ingredient in many Southeast Asian cuisines, particularly Thai, Lao, and Khmer cuisine. However, bird’s eye chili can be difficult to find in many Western grocery stores. If you can’t find bird’s eye chili, there are several good substitutes available. The best substitutes provide a similar amount of heat and flavor. In this article, we will discuss what bird’s eye chili is, its uses in cooking, and the best substitutes for bird’s eye chili.
What is Bird’s Eye Chili?
Bird’s eye chili, or prik khee noo, is a tiny chili pepper that measures around 2.5-5 cm long. It ripens from green to bright red and packs an impressive amount of heat. On the Scoville scale, which measures chili pepper heat, bird’s eye chili registers 50,000-100,000 Scoville heat units (SHU). That’s much hotter than jalapeño peppers but slightly less spicy than habanero peppers.
In addition to heat, bird’s eye chili provides a fruity, acidic flavor that makes it a versatile ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes. It can be used fresh or dried in curries, stir fries, dipping sauces, and more. The chili adds vibrant red color and a kick of heat that complements other ingredients like garlic, fish sauce, lime, and cilantro.
Why Use Bird’s Eye Chili?
Here are some of the top reasons cooks value bird’s eye chili:
- Heat – Bird’s eye chili provides a significant blast of heat. It adds a lively spiciness to curries, stir fries, and other dishes.
- Flavor – In addition to heat, bird’s eye chili has a bright, fruity flavor. It provides acidity and fruitiness that balances rich, savory flavors.
- Aroma – When cooked, bird’s eye chili releases a wonderfully aromatic scent. It makes dishes like curries smell enticing.
- Color – The vibrant red color of dried or fresh bird’s eye chili is visually striking in many dishes.
- Tradition – Bird’s eye chili is essential in traditional Southeast Asian cuisines like Thai and Lao cuisine. Using it helps preserve culinary traditions.
In Thai and Lao cooking especially, bird’s eye chili takes dishes like tom yum soup, papaya salad, and curry pastes to the next level. The chili’s heat, aroma, and bright flavor are instrumental to the taste profile of these dishes.
Best Bird’s Eye Chili Substitutes
If you can’t find bird’s eye chili, try one of these excellent substitutes:
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is one of the best substitutes for bird’s eye chili peppers. It provides a similar heat level and bright, fruity flavor. Cayenne registers 30,000-50,000 SHU, so it’s a bit milder than bird’s eye chili but still very spicy. It is also easy to find ground cayenne pepper at most grocery stores. Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting cayenne for bird’s eye chili.
Holland Red Chili Peppers
Holland red chili peppers look almost identical to bird’s eye chilis. They are small, red, and pack substantial heat. Holland reds measure 50,000-70,000 SHU, so they can be used as a 1:1 substitute for bird’s eye chili. Find them fresh or dried at specialty markets or online spice stores.
Jalapeño Peppers
Jalapeño peppers are another widely available substitute for bird’s eye chili. They are much milder, registering just 2,500-8,000 SHU. Adjust the quantity when substituting jalapeños – use about 4-5 times as much jalapeño to equal the heat of 1 bird’s eye chili. Jalapeños bring a nice crunch when used fresh.
Serrano Peppers
With a spice level of 10,000-23,000 SHU, serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeños but milder than bird’s eye chilis. Use about 2-3 serranos for every 1 bird’s eye chili. Serranos have a very similar flavor profile to bird’s eye chilis.
Thai Dragon Peppers
This hybrid pepper was developed to have the flavor of a bird’s eye chili with more heat. Thai dragon peppers measure 75,000-125,000 SHU. They can be used as a very close 1:1 substitute for bird’s eye chili. Thai dragon peppers have a fruity, acidic taste that works well in Southeast Asian dishes.
Habanero Peppers
While significantly hotter than bird’s eye chili at 100,000-350,000 SHU, habaneros make a good substitute when used sparingly. Try using just 1/4 to 1/2 of a habanero for every 1 bird’s eye chili. Habaneros have a tropical, fruity flavor that lends well to Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine.
Pequin Peppers
Pequin peppers are a wild Mexican chili with heat levels around 40,000-60,000 SHU, similar to bird’s eye chili. They have a bright, citrusy flavor. Pequins may be difficult to find fresh but are easy to source dried. Use a 1:1 ratio to substitute pequins for bird’s eye chili.
Chili Flake Blends
Pre-made chili flake blends are a very convenient substitution for bird’s eye chili. Blends made for Thai and Asian cooking often contain a mix of peppers with heat levels and flavors similar to bird’s eye chili. Use them in a 1:1 ratio. Some good brands to look for include Spice World Thai Bird Chili Flakes and Gourmet Garden Thai Hot Chili Flakes.
How to Choose a Substitute
Consider the following factors when selecting a bird’s eye chili substitute:
- Heat level – Choose peppers like cayenne, Holland reds, or Thai dragon peppers to match the high heat of bird’s eye chili. For less heat, opt for jalapeños or serranos in adjusted quantities.
- Flavor – Prioritize peppers like cayenne, serrano, and habanero that have a fruity, acidic flavor profile reminiscent of bird’s eye chili.
- Application – If using bird’s eye chili in a sauce, chili flake blends make an easy substitution. For soups or stir fries, go for a fresh pepper like jalapeño or serrano.
- Availability – Pick peppers that are easy to find at your local grocery store or online spice retailer.
The best subs, like cayenne, Holland reds, and Thai dragon peppers, will mimic both the heat and flavor of bird’s eye chili. But experiment with the other options too, adjusting quantities as needed. Any of these peppers can fill in when bird’s eye chili is unavailable.
How to Store Chili Pepper Substitutes
Properly storing chili pepper substitutes preserves freshness and heat:
- Store fresh peppers dry in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They will last about 1 week.
- Leave fresh peppers whole until ready to use. Cutting exposes them to oxygen, accelerating deterioration.
- You can freeze sliced fresh peppers in freezer bags for several months.
- Dried chilis and chili flakes keep 1-2 years stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place.
- Avoid exposure to sunlight, moisture, and heat to retain chili potency and flavor.
With the right storage methods, you can have chili substitutes ready whenever a recipe calls for bird’s eye chili!
Recommended Recipes Using Bird’s Eye Chili Substitutes
Here are some recipes that deliciously substitute other chili peppers for bird’s eye chili:
Cayenne Shrimp Stir Fry
In this stir fry, cayenne pepper replaces bird’s eye chili. It provides a similar spicy kick along with sweet shrimp, vegetables, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Cayenne gives it excellent heat and flavor.
Jalapeño Tom Yum Soup
For a milder version of the classic Thai soup, sliced jalapeños stand in for bird’s eye chili. The jalapeños’ fresh green flavor complements the hot broth, herbs, mushrooms, and shrimp.
Serrano Green Curry
Green curry gets its heat from a blend of serrano peppers and jalapeños. Mix in coconut milk, basil, chicken, and vegetables for a fragrant Thai-inspired curry.
Habanero Mango Salsa
Candied habaneros liven up this fruity salsa. The habaneros’ tropical flavor matches nicely with mango, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Spoon it over tacos or grilled fish.
Thai Dragon Chili Oil
Infuse vegetable oil with garlic and Thai dragon peppers for an explosive dipping sauce. Drizzle the spicy chili oil over noodles, dumplings, grilled meats, and stir fries.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about substituting for bird’s eye chili:
Can I use red pepper flakes instead of bird’s eye chili?
Yes, red pepper flakes work well as a substitute. Use them in a 1:1 ratio. Opt for a brand marked as hot or extra-hot to match the heat level of bird’s eye chili.
Is piri piri or peri peri pepper similar to bird’s eye chili?
Piri piri and peri peri peppers provide a very close match. They have a comparable heat level around 50,000-175,000 SHU and fruity flavor. African and Portuguese cuisines use these peppers similarly to how Southeast Asian cuisines use bird’s eye chili.
Can I just leave out the bird’s eye chili completely?
You can omit the bird’s eye chili, but the dish will lack the characteristic heat and chili flavorThai and Southeast Asian food is known for. Even a small amount of another chili pepper will provide more authentic flavor.
What’s a good bird’s eye chili substitute for people who don’t like spicy food?
For a mild option, try substituting diced red or green bell pepper. You’ll get a bit of crunchy texture and vegetable flavor without any spiciness.
Conclusion
While bird’s eye chili provides signature spice and flavor to Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine, there are many great substitutes available. Cultivated varieties like cayenne, Holland reds, and Thai dragon peppers mimic the heat and flavor well. More common peppers like jalapeños, serranos, and habaneros also work in adjusted amounts. Blends made for Asian cooking offer easy convenience too. Consider heat level, flavor profile, texture, and availability when choosing a bird’s eye chili substitute. Store peppers properly to preserve freshness. Incorporate substitute peppers into stir fries, salsas, curries, and other recipes to enjoy some chili flavor even when bird’s eye chili is hard to source. Though not exactly the same, these substitutes help create delicious dishes with a touch of chili heat.