One of the ingredients I struggled with most after moving to the UK was paprika.
Not because British supermarkets do not sell it — they absolutely do — but because it often tastes completely different from the paprika I grew up with in Austria.
If you cook dishes like Paprikahendl, Gulasch, Letscho or even some Austrian soups and sauces, you will notice very quickly that paprika is not just there for colour. A good paprika gives sweetness, warmth and depth without tasting smoky or bitter.
For a long time, I bought standard supermarket paprika powder and wondered why my food never tasted quite right. Once I started buying proper Austrian or Hungarian-style paprika again, my recipes immediately tasted more authentic.
If you are looking for good paprika for Austrian cooking in the UK, these are the places I recommend.
Polish Supermarkets
One of the easiest places to find good paprika in the UK is actually your local Polish or Eastern European supermarket.
Over time, I discovered that many Polish supermarkets stock Hungarian-style sweet paprika, which works much better for Austrian cooking. They are also great places to find other Central European ingredients like sour cream, pickles and quark alternatives.
For Austrian recipes, I would look for:
- Edelsüß (sweet paprika)
- Sweet paprika
- Hungarian-style paprika
I would avoid smoked paprika for most Austrian dishes, as it gives a very different flavour.
Paprika from British Supermarkets
If you do not have a Polish supermarket nearby, you can still find decent paprika in larger UK supermarkets.
I have had the best results with:
- Tesco Finest Sweet Paprika
- Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Sweet Paprika
- Hungarian paprika from the world food aisle
These usually work better for Austrian cooking than heavily smoked Spanish-style paprika powders.
Paprika from Online stores
If you cook quite regulary Austrian Dishes like Paprika Hendl or Goulash, you might want to consider to buy them online from Austrian Supermarkets. It’s definelty worth it.
1. From Austria
This is probably the closest thing to shopping in an Austrian supermarket while living in the UK. They stock several authentic Austrian paprika varieties and larger packs if you cook Austrian food regularly.
2. Austrian Supermarket
A very good source for classic Kotányi sweet paprika — the kind many Austrians will recognise immediately from supermarket shelves back home.
It works perfectly for:
- Paprikahendl
- Gulasch
- stews
- paprika sauces
3. Austrian Food UK
A great UK-based option if you want authentic Austrian paprika with local delivery and smaller pantry orders.
A Small Cooking Tip
Paprika burns very quickly and can become bitter if fried too long.
When cooking dishes like Paprikahendl or Gulasch, I usually briefly remove the pot from the heat before stirring in the paprika.
Final Thoughts
Good paprika makes a huge difference in Austrian cooking. Even switching from standard supermarket paprika to a proper sweet Hungarian or Austrian-style paprika can completely change the flavour of dishes like Paprikahendl or Gulasch.
If you regularly cook Austrian food in the UK, it is definitely one ingredient worth seeking out properly.
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