Budget Bytes

15 April 2011

review: smoked paprika

I was out of town all week at a conference so I didn't really do any cooking this week. In absence of a new recipe, I thought this would be a good time to share my latest obsession: smoked paprika!!

And, no, I'm not getting any kick backs from McCormick for talking about this... I'm just in love and I think you will be too!

smoked paprika


I'll admit that this was an impulse buy, but at $3.48 for one extremely versatile bottle of smokey goodness, there are no regrets. I started out sprinkling a little on top of my eggs and was immediately in love. My egg quesadillas instantly tasted like bacon had been dancing around in the pan with the eggs as they cooked... but without all of the salt and saturated fat. The paprika imparted a wonderful, subtle but deep smokiness. YUM!.

Now that I've discovered this gem of a spice I CAN'T WAIT to try it on potatoes, in dips, sauces, stews, rubs and marinades. The possibilities are endless. You gotta get yourself some!

I know there are already some smoked paprika fans out there so why don't you drop a line in the comments and share your favorite way to use smoked paprika!


BTW, I'll be cooking today and tomorrow so recipes will start back up this weekend!

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posted by Beth M @ 10:00 AM  

30 Comments:

  • At April 15, 2011 at 10:03 AM , Blogger Arlene said...

    I use pimenton (spanish smoked paprika) as a rub for pork shoulder when I'm going to use my slow cooker to make pulled pork. It adds a smokiness just like real bbq.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 10:12 AM , Anonymous sam said...

    some brown sugar and smoked paprika on roasted sweet potatoes is always an easy and good side dish

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 10:31 AM , Blogger Aces said...

    As a leftover from my college days (ie, nostalgia food), I love smoked paprika on blue-box mac and cheese. If I made mac and cheese from scratch, I'm sure it'd be amazing on that too.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM , Blogger Cassandra Boston said...

    I like to use it in homemade Chorizo, deviled eggs, tacos, mayo for a sandwich or burger, bean burritos, and oven baked BBQ.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 10:46 AM , Blogger Patricia @ ButterYum said...

    I'm completely addicted to smoked paprika - I buy it in bulk from Penzey's Spices. Great price if you have a store in your area, or a friend willing to mail it to you, otherwise their shipping costs are absurd.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 11:11 AM , Blogger Moni @ CL Journal said...

    I actually used some last night on breaded chicken cutlets. I take chicken cutlets (cut in half if they are too thick and pound them), beat an egg mixed with 8 dashes of hot sauce, and then dip in a mixture of bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, onion soup mix, smoked paprika, garlic powder and black pepper (I don't measure, I just put it together). Transfer to a baking rack sprayed with pam and cook on 375 oven for 25 minutes or until outside is crispy. Serve with your choice of sides. Yum yum!

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 12:09 PM , Blogger Tintin said...

    Ahahaha, my father swears by smoked paprika in everything. I bought some last time I was at a spice shop, but I haven't used it yet. You'll have to post some recipes for me to try! :D

    Chicken paprikash seems like a likely place to try it, and your goulash recipe is staring deliciously at me from the sidebar. The mac'n'cheese idea is really appealing to me right now, though; I might have to try that this weekend!

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 12:25 PM , Anonymous Ande (Broke & Healthy) said...

    I LOOOOOOVE SMOKED PAPRIKA! Totally worth every penny. You can use it for so many things- and although liquid smoke is awesome, sometimes having the paprika flavor and the powder form are so much more convenient. Good times!

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 2:30 PM , Blogger i said...

    I have that exact same brand! It was expensive, but it was recommmended by Cook's Illustrated for a an oven roasted chicken recipe. It brings a huge smokey flavor and smell, and combined with liquid smoke you'd think your oven turned into a wood fired smoker.
    Also, I found it sold in Asian/International grocery stores for much less, so try shopping around!

    My chicken recipe:
    http://ironchefman.blogspot.com/2011/03/peruvian-style-roasted-chicken-with.html

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 3:19 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I recently jumped on the band wagon for smoked paprika as well! I was also immediately in love. Since I don't eat bacon, I love how I get to have bacon smelling food. My favourite way is to sprinkle them in my stove top popped popcorn while popping them. You should give it a try!

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 3:54 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    I got mine B1G1. great deal

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 4:46 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    It's a strange mix, but smoked paprika and peanut butter is really good

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 5:06 PM , Blogger Dolly said...

    Okay, this is the BEST salad dressing EVER! I got it from: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/smoked-paprika-vinaigrette/Detail.aspx

    * 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
    * 1/3 cup honey
    * 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
    * 1 tablespoon lime juice
    * 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    * 3/4 teaspoon salt
    * 1 1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
    * 1 clove garlic
    * 2 tablespoons chopped onion
    * 1/4 teaspoon oregano
    * 1 pinch white sugar (optional)
    * 1/2 cup olive oil
    Blend the red wine vinegar, honey, mustard, lime juice, pepper, salt, paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, and sugar together in a blender until thoroughly mixed. Drizzle the olive oil into the mixture while blending on low. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 5:38 PM , Blogger Kalyn Denny said...

    I love smoked paprika and the latest way I've used it is on roasted butternut squash.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 5:58 PM , Anonymous Kat said...

    Ummm yes smoked paprika is my new thing as well! I use it in my chicken noodle soup and it really makes for a smokey, homey flavor...it's great on basically any food and yes, it reminds me of bacon too!

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 6:58 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I used it like I use garlic salt, on EVERYTHING! Eggs, homemade hasbrowns, burgers, fries. If it cooks it gets smoked paprika.

     

  • At April 15, 2011 at 9:54 PM , Blogger Karen said...

    Love this, too! Use the pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika) when I make Jambalaya. Mmmm good!

     

  • At April 16, 2011 at 12:56 AM , Anonymous Lily said...

    There are a ton of ideas in this Chowhound thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/759937
    It's nice in chili if you're not using chipotles. But yeah, it's great with fried eggs, potatoes ...

     

  • At April 16, 2011 at 7:46 AM , Blogger Danielle said...

    I fell in love with this spice last month! Its sooooooo good! I haven't had the chance to experiment with it much but I used it in a chicken dish a few weeks ago. http://www.danicakesvt.com/2011/04/pollo-la-cerveza.html

     

  • At April 16, 2011 at 12:39 PM , Blogger Sarah R said...

    I make tofu pepperoni! It adds such a perfect edge to the marinade. Also made paella soup with it once - that's my fave brand too!

     

  • At April 16, 2011 at 2:22 PM , Blogger The Sassy Butterfly's Chaotic Musings said...

    Anything that you can't cook on the BBQ, but you still want that smoky flavor.. this is the stuff of magic!! I sprinkle it over burgers, fries, eggs, steaks, I add it into my bbq rubs, bbq sauce, meatloaf, even baked beans. This stuff is A-MAZING! :)

     

  • At April 16, 2011 at 4:54 PM , Blogger Emily said...

    It the secret to much of my cooking I use it almost every time something seems to be missing from a dish. My favorite way to use it is in Tomato Sauce. I use a ton when I make sauce to can or make tomato sauce in the slow cooker.

     

  • At April 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM , Blogger Jessica SG said...

    So I thought hard about buying smoked paprika the other day - and I passed on the opportunity. BIG MISTAKE! I will have to buy it, just didn't realize there are so many awesome ways to use it!

     

  • At April 19, 2011 at 10:48 AM , Anonymous laura said...

    i love, love, love this spice!! Spicy Radicchio Slaw with Pecans is one of my faves with it (http://cookmarked.com/recipe.aspx?eID=wWASVjKS)

     

  • At April 19, 2011 at 10:29 PM , Blogger The Other One said...

    Simplicity - Yukon Gold potatoes chunked, sweet onions sliced in 1/2 moons, a little salt and pepper, tossed with olive oil, and TONS of smoked paprika. Fold in little foil packets, throw on the grill, and enjoy! I live by the potato & onion packets in the summertime because throwing them on the grill is so easy.

    I LOVE smoked paprika!

     

  • At October 22, 2011 at 5:02 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Found the McCormick brand for $3.48 for 8.5 oz at Costco. Thanks everyone for offering up recipe ideas to use the smoked paprika in!

     

  • At October 22, 2011 at 9:01 PM , Anonymous Nicky said...

    If you have a Sprouts near you, they sell spices in bulk. Paprika is about 79 cents per ounce so you can fill a bottle for about a dollar.

     

  • At December 12, 2011 at 12:05 AM , Blogger Landry, Renée, and Baby Girl!!! said...

    I love adding it to my homemade mac & cheese! SO tasty!

     

  • At January 11, 2012 at 11:28 PM , Blogger Debra said...

    hot chocolate

    milk
    some dutch cocoa
    tiny pinch of salt
    honey
    smoked paprika

    awesome

     

  • At February 17, 2012 at 8:08 PM , Blogger Cat Horatio said...

    I buy mine at bulk barn but yes this is used way more than even salt in our home.

     

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