Smoked paprika (pimentón)

pimentón de la Vera

Flavor and role

A Spanish powder of peppers smoked over oak and dried, giving smoky aroma and red colour. Comes in sweet (dulce), bittersweet/medium (agridulce) and hot (picante).

Typical dishes and uses

Paella, chorizo, gambas al ajillo, barbecue rubs, Spanish potato dishes. In this book: seafood paella and pulled pork rub.

Substitutes

The same amount of regular paprika + a drop of liquid smoke, or ¼ the amount of chipotle powder (hotter).

Storage

Light and heat quickly dull the colour and aroma. Sealed and refrigerated or frozen, it keeps its bright colour and aroma for about 1 year.

Main countries

Spain

Used in this book

Seafood PaellaChili con CarneThai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasAlbóndigas Bravas TraybakeBaba ganoush eggplant boatsBandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaHickory-Smoked Herb-Butter Beer-Can ChickenPulled Beer-Can Chicken SlidersSouthern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spiced Maple ButterBigos Breakfast Hash with Crispy Potatoes and EggsHot Honey Buffalo Chicken BowlChana Masala ShakshukaBlack Lime Chicken Machboos Paella (Emirati x Spanish)Chili Mac and Cheese BakePotato-dough chicken thigh coxinha with a cream cheese heartApple Curry Sauce Currywurst with Double-Fried PommesCurrywurst Melt ToastieDakgalbi Cheese QuesadillasCrispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriChipotle Feijoada ChiliSmashed Potato Salmon BowlFul Medames Huevos RancherosGambas al Ajillo with Prawn-Shell OilCrispy Gambas Rice SkilletStacked Gyros Loaf with Sumac Onions and Dill TzatzikiGyros al Pastor Tacos with Charred Pineapple and Lime TzatzikiHarira Chickpea Toast with Lemon YogurtCajun Brown Jambalaya with Shrimp-Shell StockKimchi Jambalaya with a Jammy Fried EggJambalaya Arancini with Cajun RémouladeSmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenChorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersCheeseburger Lumpia with Burger SauceMenemen Breakfast TacosLentil Soup Shakshuka with Garlic Yogurt & Chili ButterPrawn-Head Stock Paella with AllioliCrispy Chorizo Paella BitesTriple-cooked patatas bravas with homemade alioliGochujang bravasBravas rösti brunch with fried eggsFlame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPeri-Peri Popcorn ChickenSpanish Chorizo and Chicken PlovPotjie Pot PieCrispy-Edge Pulled Pork with Beer-Braise GlazeBBQ Pulled Pork Sweet Potato BoatsRatatouille ShakshukaSausage Sizzle Skewers with Smoky Tomato GlazeHarissa Shakshuka Fried Rice with Crispy EggChicken Shawarma TacosDouble Smash Burger with Caramelized Onions and House SauceLard-Fried Double-Dredged Chicken with Peppered Cream GravyHot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich with Pickle SlawSouvlaki Loaded FriesCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Beef Yaki UdonSuya Steak Crunch Salad with Peanut-Lime DressingCrispy Smash TacosBaked Mini Tortilla Bites with Brava and Alioli DipsChorizo & Prawn Yangzhou Fried Rice, Spanish Style

Updated 2026-10-10