--- title: "Smoked paprika: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Smoked paprika is ground red pepper dried over oak fires, like Spanish pimentón de la Vera. It gives a smoky flavor to chorizo, paella and stews." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/smoked-paprika" --- # Smoked paprika Smoked paprika is ground red pepper dried over oak fires, like Spanish pimentón de la Vera. It gives a smoky flavor to chorizo, paella and stews. Also called Pimentón de la Vera, Rökt paprika. Smoked paprika is ground red pepper that has been dried slowly over oak fires before grinding. It comes from Spain, where paprika of any kind is called _pimentón_. The best known smoked kind is _pimentón de la Vera_, from the La Vera region, also sold as _pimentón ahumado_. It is deep brick red and tastes smoky and sweet, like food cooked over a wood fire. Regular paprika is dried without smoke, so it tastes milder and fruitier. ## How to use it * Stir it into stews, bean dishes, soups and [paella](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/paella). * Rub it on chicken, pork, fish or potatoes with oil, garlic and salt before roasting. * Add it to [romesco](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/romesco), aioli, mayonnaise or a vinaigrette. * Sprinkle it over deviled eggs, hummus, roast vegetables or fried eggs. * Use it to give vegetarian dishes a smoky, meaty taste. To get the most flavor, [bloom](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/bloom) it in warm oil for 20 to 30 seconds over low heat, [until fragrant](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/until-fragrant), then add liquid. It burns quickly in hot oil and turns bitter, so take the pan off the heat first if it is very hot. ## Substitutes * Sweet paprika with a small pinch of chipotle powder or ground cumin. This gives color and some smoke. * Sweet paprika on its own, for color and mild sweetness without the smoke. * Chipotle powder alone is smoky but much hotter. Use about a quarter of the amount. ## How to store it Keep it in a closed tin or jar away from light and heat. It loses color and smell within about a year. If it has turned dull brown and smells of little, replace it. ## In recipes Spanish smoked paprika comes in three kinds: * _Dulce_, sweet and mild. This is what most recipes mean. * _Agridulce_, bittersweet and a little sharper. * _Picante_, hot. If a recipe just says "smoked paprika", use sweet. It is the main spice in Spanish chorizo, patatas bravas and many stews. It also pairs well with [harissa](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/harissa) and other North African flavors. Hungarian recipes that say "paprika" mean unsmoked paprika, sweet or hot. Do not swap in smoked, or the dish will taste quite different. ## Recipes that use it 90 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Shawarma-Spiced-Grilled-Chicken-with-Garlic-Yogurt-Sauce-3.jpg)Shawarma-Spiced Grilled Chicken with Garlic Yogurt Saucewww.skinnytaste.com · 85 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/shawarma-spiced-grilled-chicken-with-garlic-yogurt/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Chili-_-Lime-Air-Fryer-Salmon-6.jpg)Chili-Lime Air Fryer Salmonwww.skinnytaste.com · 15 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/chili-lime-air-fryer-salmon/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Foil-Packet-Spice-Rubbed-Fish-with-Watermelon-Salsa-14.jpg)Foil Packet Spice Rubbed Fish with Watermelon Salsawww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/foil-packet-spice-rubbed-fish-with-watermelon-salsa/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Crispy-Butter-Beans-with-Green-Sauce-6.jpg)Crispy Butter Beans (Air Fryer or Oven)www.skinnytaste.com · 20 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/crispy-butter-beans/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Turkey-Chorizo-4.jpg)Easy Healthy Turkey Chorizowww.skinnytaste.com · 20 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/easy-healthy-turkey-chorizo/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SmokeyBBQPumpkinSeeds-2.jpg)Spicy BBQ Spiced Pumpkin Seedswww.skinnytaste.com · 35 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/smoky-bbq-spiced-pumpkin-seeds/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Weeknight-Paella-6.jpg)Seafood Paella Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 45 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/weeknight-seafood-paella/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Veggie-Burger-9.jpg)Houston’s Veggie Burger Recipewww.skinnytaste.com · 55 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/veggie-burger/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/QuickMexicanBrownRice.jpg)Quick Mexican Brown Ricewww.skinnytaste.com · 10 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/quick-mexican-brown-rice/) * [![](https://www.skinnytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PetiteBaconBBQTurkeyMeatloaf-2.jpg)Bacon Topped Petite Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Saucewww.skinnytaste.com · 30 min](https://www.skinnytaste.com/bacon-topped-petite-turkey-meatloaf/) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2023/07/restaurant-style-salsa.jpg)Quick & Easy Salsawww.onceuponachef.com · 10 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/salsa-restaurant-style.html) * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2019/05/German-Potato-Salad-2-scaled.jpg)German Potato Saladwww.onceuponachef.com · 40 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/german-potato-salad.html) ## Related terms * [PaellaPaella is a Spanish rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan with saffron, stock and meat or seafood. See how to get the crisp bottom called socarrat.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/paella) * [RomescoRomesco is a Catalan sauce of roasted red peppers, tomatoes, garlic, almonds or hazelnuts and olive oil. It is smoky and nutty and great with grilled food.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/romesco) * [HarissaHarissa is a hot North African chili paste with garlic, caraway and cumin. Stir it into yogurt, couscous, stews and roast vegetables for heat.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/harissa) * [BloomTo bloom is to wake up an ingredient in liquid or fat before use, like soaking gelatin, proving yeast or frying spices. Here is how each one works.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/bloom) * [Until fragrantUntil fragrant means cook garlic, spices or nuts just until you can clearly smell them, often 30 to 60 seconds. Any longer and they turn bitter.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/until-fragrant) [More in pantry ingredients](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/pantry-ingredients)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)