Cubanelle peppers are a unique and flavorful pepper with a mild heat that is best used in soups, stews, or sauces.
This versatile pepper can be substituted with Anaheim, bell pepper, poblano, and so on (aka California) peppers when cubanelles aren’t available.
Today I will cover Cubanelle peppers Substitutes if you do not have any on hand or simply want to try something new!
What is cubanelle pepper? What kind of pepper is a cubanelle?
A cubanelle pepper is a kind of sweet pepper. It is a long, thin pepper that is light green in color. Cubanelle peppers are similar in taste to bell peppers, but they are slightly spicier.
Cubanelle peppers can be used in a variety of dishes. They are often used in salads, pasta, and omelets. They can also be used in place of bell peppers when roasting or grilling food.
Cubanelle pepper plants grow about two feet tall and produce large peppers. Cubanelle peppers are often picked while they are still green and allowed to fully ripen on the plant, which causes the pepper to turn red.
Scoville scale is 1,000 SHU- that means it is low heat.
What is similar to Cubanelle pepper?
Cubanelle peppers are similar to bell peppers in that they are sweet and have a mild flavor. They are also similar to banana peppers in that they are thin and have a curved shape.
However, Cubanelle peppers are slightly hotter than bell peppers and banana peppers.
What does a Cubanelle taste like?
Cubanelles taste like a mix of sweet and spicy peppers. They are usually eaten cooked but can also be eaten raw.
Cubanelles are great for adding flavor to dishes, and they are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
12 Good substitutes for Cubanelle Peppers
1. PEPERONE CRUSCO – Zero Heat Cubanella Substitute
Peperone Crusco is an Italian red pepper also widely available in Calabria Apulia, Abruzzo, and Molise
The Scoville scale heat score is near “zero.” Peperone Crusco pipper staple condiment in Lucanian cuisine. It uses in various side dishes, chips and adds as a flavor enhancer.
Peperone Crusco is also used to flavor meat, beans, bread products, chocolate, and ice cream as a powder.
2. SHISHITO- A very similar Alternative to Cubanelle pepper
Shishito is mild spicy pepper which Scoville scale is 1,500 SHU. Popularly used in Japan. It is green chili which turns red after maturing. It has thin wrinkle-skinned resembles groundcherries.
You can have it with grill, frying, stuff with ingredients, etc. Or simply consume raw in a salad or as a condiment.
3. SWEET PEPPER – Decent substitution for Cubanelle Pepper
Sweet Pepper, a.k.a Bell pepper, Capsicum is the best cubanelle pepper substitute because it consists same heat level as cubanelle has. Although, Bell pepper is less spicy than Cubanelle chili.
You can add a bell or sweet pepper into your soup, stir-fry, pizza topping, flavoring food, or anything you love.
4. PASILLA CHILE -Another same Heat Level Cubanelle Pepper Alternative.
Use pasilla Chile into your sauce, dipping sauce. Serve with duck, seafood, lamb, mushrooms, or make famous Pasilla de Oaxaca. I hope you have heard it before. If not, try as soon as possible; you just fell for it.
Although, Pasilla Pepper’s Scoville scale is 1,000–3,999 SHU, varying for its cultivars.
If you can’t find Oaxaca cheese for Pasilla de Oaxaca, try its substitute instead.
5. BANANA PEPPER is A great Replacement for Cubanelle Pepper in Pickle, Salad, etc
If you don’t want any spicy flavor in your dish, try Banana Pepper. It is crunchy, green, looks like Korean chili.
The heat score is Scoville scale 0–500 SHU. No spiciness, only the peppery flavor. You can have it in a different way like making pickles, using salad, topping in pizza, making different salsa from it.
6. Pimento – Proper Substitute for Cubanelle Pepper
Pimento is also defined as red heart shape pepper due to its heart shape. This pepper has a low heat level below the cubanelle pepper, the Scoville scale100–500 SHU.
Pimento comes in different shades, including yellow, green, red, and maroon. It is perfect for making stuffed pickles like pimento olive pickle, cheese ( a peppery flavor)
7. ANAHEIM PEPPER- A little Spicy Replacement for Cubanelle Chili
An Anaheim pepper is a mild variant of the ‘New Mexico Chile.’ The Scoville heat level ranges from 500 to 2,500 SHU. Enjoy with enchiladas, burritos, burgers, french fries, or rice. It is also a substitute for Green Chilis.
Can you eat Cubanelle peppers raw?
Yes, you can eat Cubanelle peppers raw. They are crispy and have a slightly sweet and spicy taste, making them perfect for snacking on or adding to salads.
What are cubanelle peppers used for?
Cubanelle peppers are most commonly used in dishes that require mild heat. They can be used to replace bell peppers in recipes or added to dishes for extra flavor.
Some popular dishes that include Cubanelle peppers are pepperoni pizza, chicken piccata, and black bean burgers.
Cubanelle Pepper can be roasted or grilled whole and used as a sandwich filling or cut into strips and added to salads.
Cubanelle peppers are the most commonly grown sweet pepper in Florida. They’re often considered “gateway” peppers for those who want to begin exploring spicy foods.
As such, Cubanelles also work well as ingredients in hot sauces, where their mild flavor can lend itself to the overall flavor of the sauce.
Cubanelle peppers are used in various dishes, ranging from Italian and Mexican cuisine to hamburgers. Peppers start at mild and progress up through medium, hot, and extra-hot heat levels.
Read More- Best Substitutes for Thai Chilis
Are Cubanelle peppers hot?
Cubanelle peppers are not as spicy as some other peppers, but they have a slight kick to them. As a result, they are perfect for adding flavor to foods without being overly spicy.
How to eat cubanelle peppers
Cubanelle peppers are a type of pepper that is long and thin. They are green when they are young but turn red as they ripen. You have Cubanelle peppers raw or cooked.
If you are going to eat a Cubanelle pepper raw, you can just bite into it like you would an apple.
If you are going to cook a Cubanelle pepper, there are a few different ways to do it.
You can roast a Cubanelle pepper in the oven by putting it on a baking sheet and cooking it at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.
You can also sauté a Cubanelle pepper over medium heat with some olive oil in a pan.
You can even stir fry a Cubanelle pepper in a wok with some soy sauce and ginger.
You can use a Cubanelle pepper in most recipes that call for bell peppers. Still, they tend to be spicier, so you may want to tone down the spices if you use them as an alternative.
Are Cubanelle peppers similar to poblano peppers?
Cubanelle peppers are similar to poblano peppers in that they are both mild chili peppers.
However, Cubanelle peppers are slightly sweeter than poblano peppers and have thinner skin.
They are also a bit smaller than poblano peppers.
Which is hotter, poblano or cubanelle?
They might look similar, but they are two totally different peppers.
Here’s a quick guide to tell them apart:
Cubanelle – Have pale green skin that grows to a red color. They have a mildly sweet flavor and a medium level of heat.
Poblano – Usually harvested in the dark red stage, poblanos have a deep, earthy flavor with a medium-high heat level.
So, which one is hotter?
It really depends on the pepper. Poblanos can get up to 1,000-2500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), while cubanelles usually max out around 500-1000 SHUs.
But there are always exceptions, so it’s always best to taste a pepper before you eat it!
Both are great for stuffing, roasting, or adding to sauces, no matter which pepper you choose. So get out there and start cooking!
My Favourite Alternatives to Cubanelle Chilli Pepper
· Bell pepper
· Jalapeno ( Extra kick)
· Sweet pepper
· Pasilla chile
· Banana pepper
· Anaheim pepper
FAQs Related to Cubanelle Pepper & Its Replacement
Q1. anaheim vs cubanelle
Anaheim peppers are typically longer and less curved than Cubanelle peppers. They are also sweeter and have slightly thicker skin.
Cubanelle peppers are more curved and thinner-skinned, with a less spicy flavor.
A cubanelle pepper is a mild bell pepper. It looks like an anaheim but with less wrinkled skin and turns yellow rather than red when mature.
They are also called finge or Italian frying peppers because their tall, slender shape makes them ideal for stuffing.
Q2. stuffed cubanelle peppers
Cubanelle peppers are long skinny green peppers with a slightly spicy flavor. They are very similar to Italian frying peppers. Still, they don’t get as thick as Italian frying peppers, making them ideal for stuffing.
You can stuff cubanelle peppers with meat, rice, or even cheese (recipe below). Serve as a side dish, appetizer, or over a bed of pasta. You can stuff them and freeze them for later use.
I have made this stuffed Cubanelle peppers recipe multiple times, and it has always been a success!
If you’re searching for an effortless side dish to make for your next get-together, give this stuffed cubanelle peppers recipe a try!