Key facts
| Hindi name | Kashmiri mirch |
|---|---|
| Also called | Kashmiri lal mirch |
| Flavour | Mild and fruity with deep red colour. |
| Heat | Mild |
| Sold as | Whole dried, ground |
| Stays fresh | Whole: 1 year, ground: 6 months · check your jars |
| Best substitute | Sweet or smoked paprika is the easiest swap for colour. Byadgi chilli, from Karnataka, is similar. |
| Used in | 3 of our blends and 9 of our dishes |
How to use it
Used for the rich red colour of tandoori dishes, rogan josh, butter chicken and many restaurant-style curries without making them very hot.
- Soak whole Kashmiri chillies in hot water and blend into a paste for the deepest colour.
- Many shops sell blends labelled Kashmiri that include other chillies; true Kashmiri chilli is noticeably mild.
Substitute
Sweet or smoked paprika is the easiest swap for colour. Byadgi chilli, from Karnataka, is similar.
Storage
Ground keeps about six months; whole dried chillies up to a year.
Byadgi chillies from Karnataka are used in the same way and are often sold alongside Kashmiri chillies.
Pairs well with
Dishes that use kashmiri chilli
Blends with kashmiri chilli
Tandoori masala
North India
A brick-red blend made for marinades; the colour comes from Kashmiri chilli rather than heat.
Kashmiri masala (ver style)
Kashmir
Kashmiri Pandit cooking relies on fennel, dry ginger and Kashmiri chilli rather than onion and garlic.
Frequently asked questions
What is kashmiri chilli called in Hindi?
Kashmiri mirch. Also known as Kashmiri lal mirch.
What can I use instead of kashmiri chilli?
Sweet or smoked paprika is the easiest swap for colour. Byadgi chilli, from Karnataka, is similar.
How long does kashmiri chilli keep?
Ground keeps about six months; whole dried chillies up to a year.
Tips from travellers
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Questions from readers
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