Sriracha is a popular sauce amongst spice lovers, known for its fiery flavor that enhances the taste of any dish.
Its growing popularity has become a staple in every kitchen pantry.
However, if you’ve run out of Sriracha and need an alternative, you’ll be pleased to know there are several ideal substitutions.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 10 ideal sriracha substitutes, complete with ratios, so you can recreate the same fiery flavor in your dishes with other ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.
In short, " What can I use instead of Sriracha?" Cholula Hot Sauce, Tabasco sauce, Sambal Oelek, Frank's Red Hot Original, Harissa, Gochujang, Cayenne Pepper, Hot Sauce, Chili Garlic Sauce, Homemade Chili Oil.
What is Sriracha, and what does Sriracha taste like?
Sriracha is a famous hot sauce that originated in Thailand. This is made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.
The sauce is called after the coastal city of Si Racha in Thailand, where it was first produced.
Sriracha has a distinct flavor that is both spicy and tangy. It is known for its extreme heat and vibrant taste.
The primary ingredient, chili peppers, provides the sauce with its signature spiciness, which can vary depending on the brand and recipe.
The heat level of Sriracha is typically moderate to hot, but it is balanced by other ingredients to create a well-rounded flavor profile.
In addition to its spiciness, Sriracha has a tangy and slightly sweet taste. The vinegar and sugar in the sauce contribute to its tanginess, while the garlic adds depth and complexity.
Combining these flavors creates a unique and addictive taste that many people enjoy.
Overall, Sriracha is a fiery and tangy hot sauce with a complex flavor profile. Its distinctive taste has gained a devoted following among spice lovers around the world.
Uses of Sriracha
Sriracha has become an increasingly popular condiment for many different types of cuisine.
It can use as a dipping sauce for Thai-style street food, such as fresh spring rolls and fish cakes, or it can be added to stir-fries, soups, marinades, and salad dressings.
Sriracha is also great on sandwiches like egg salad or grilled cheese.
Adding Sriracha can bring just the right amount of heat without overpowering the other flavors for a spicy kick in American-style dishes like tacos, burritos or mac & cheese.
For those who are adventurous with their cooking, Sriracha can add unique depth to dishes like mashed potatoes or deviled eggs.
Even creamy desserts like ice cream and cheesecake can benefit from a tiny bit of Sriracha for a surprising kick of spice!
Where to buy Sriracha?
If you are searching for a few places to buy Sriracha, you can visit a few different places. Many specialty food stores carry it, as do some international grocery stores.
You can also order online from many retailers that provide a variety of diverse flavors and types of Sriracha.
Best Sriracha substitutes with a ratio
1. Cholula Hot Sauce – an ideal sriracha substitute
With its unique blend of spices, legendary flavor, and low sodium content, Cholula hot sauce is an ideal sriracha substitute.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 2:1 ratio, with two tablespoons of Cholula hot sauce equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
2. Tabasco sauce – similar to sriracha
Tabasco sauce is a popular hit amongst spice lovers, known for its heat.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 2:1 ratio, with two teaspoons of Tabasco sauce equivalent to one teaspoon of Sriracha.
3. Sambal Oelek – a good sriracha alternative
Sambal Oelek is a versatile chili paste made with red chili peppers and vinegar. It’s a perfect alternative to Sriracha in any dish and can use as a marinade in many dishes.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 1:1 ratio, with one tablespoon of Sambal Oelek equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
4. Frank’s RedHot Original – similar to Sriracha
Frank’s RedHot Original is a tangy and spicy sauce that is an ideal replacement for Sriracha.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 1:1 ratio, with one tablespoon of Frank's RedHot Original equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
5. Try Harissa to replace Sriracha
Harissa is a North African chili paste made with a blend of spices. It’s an excellent substitute for Sriracha for its intense flavor and heat.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 1:1 ratio, with one tablespoon of Harissa equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
6. Gochujang – similar taste to sriracha
Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made with red chili peppers, fermented soybeans, and glutinous rice. It’s an ideal substitute for Sriracha for its richness and umami flavor.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 1:1 ratio, with one tablespoon of Gochujang equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
7. Cayenne Pepper – an ideal sriracha replacement
Cayenne Pepper is an ideal alternative for Sriracha if you want a quick and simple substitute.
Made from dried and ground cayenne peppers, it’s a perfect solution to enhance the taste of your dishes.
Ratio or measurement: To replicate the same amount of heat in Sriracha, use a 1:1 ratio, with one tablespoon of cayenne pepper equivalent to one tablespoon of Sriracha.
8. Hot Sauce – similar to Sriracha
Hot sauce is a perfect sriracha substitute since it has an equal flavor profile and consistency.
Ratio or measurement: To achieve the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, mix together 2 tablespoons of hot sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
Adjust the ratio according to your desired level of spiciness.
9. You can try Chili Garlic Sauce instead of Sriracha
Chili Garlic sauce is a popular condiment in Asian cuisine made from chili peppers, garlic, and vinegar. It has a thick texture and a garlicky, spicy taste.
Ratio or measurement: To use it as a substitute, mix together 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce, one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of rice vinegar, and one teaspoon of sesame oil.
10. Homemade Chili Oil – similar to Sriracha
Try making homemade chili oil if you have additional time and want a personalized sriracha substitute.
Ratio or measurement: To make it, infuse the oil with your chili pepper of choice (dried, fresh, or a mixture) along with garlic, ginger, and/or spices.
Then strain and add honey or sugar, rice vinegar, and salt to create a balanced flavor profile.
healthy substitute for Sriracha
One healthy substitute for Sriracha is a homemade chili garlic sauce. This spicy condiment is made with fresh garlic, chili peppers, sweetener, and vinegar.
It can use as a topping on a variety of dishes like noodles, rice dishes, eggs, tacos, and even sandwiches.
The sweeteners used to make this sauce are usually honey or maple syrup, making it a great alternative to sugar-laden store-bought sauces.
Adding fresh garlic to the mix brings even more complexity to the flavor profile and adds unique depth that Sriracha simply does not have.
Additionally, this chili garlic sauce is typically salt-free, so you can manage the amount of sodium in your food.
Finally, it offers an impressive nutritional kick since it is packed with several important vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin A and C, iron, magnesium and potassium.
non-spicy substitute for sriracha sauce
A non-spicy substitute for Sriracha sauce is a sweet chili sauce. Unlike Sriracha, which has a pungent flavor and heat from adding red pepper flakes, sweet chili sauces are typically made with milder peppers such as bell peppers or jalapenos.
They usually contain some form of sugar to balance out the heat, resulting in a sweeter and milder flavor profile.
Sweet chili sauce typically contains garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, and a combination of spices to create complex layers of flavor.
The ratio of ingredients will alter depending on the type of sweet chili sauce, but generally speaking, it will contain more sugar than Sriracha and fewer pepper flakes.
Substitute for Sriracha in spicy mayo
For a spicy mayo that has the same kick as Sriracha, there are several great substitutes to choose from. Here are three of the most valuable ones with suggested ratios:
1. Sambal Oelek
This chili-based condiment is made from ground red chilies and a bit of salt, so it carries a strong punch of heat without too much acidity.
Ratio or measurement: For a spicier alternative to Sriracha in your spicy mayo, try using sambal oelek at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 4 tablespoons of mayo.
2. Harissa
This Tunisian chili paste is made with roasted red peppers, garlic, caraway seeds and other flavorful spices like cumin and coriander.
Its heat is more intense than Sriracha but not quite as acidic in flavor.
Ratio or measurement: You can substitute Harissa for Sriracha in your spicy mayo at a ratio of 2 teaspoons per 4 tablespoons of mayo to get the perfect kick.
3. Ghost Pepper Sauce
If you’re looking for something even hotter than Sriracha or sambal oelek, ghost pepper sauce might be just what you need!
It packs an intense amount of heat and gets its name from the Bhut jolokia pepper variety, one of the hottest peppers in the world.
Ratio or measurement: Use this one sparingly in spicy mayo – only 1/2 teaspoon per 4 tablespoons of mayo should do the job!
What is a mild substitute for Sriracha?
A mild substitute for Sriracha is a chili garlic sauce. This type of sauce contains garlic, chili peppers, and other spices and ingredients.
It has a good balance between heat and flavor, with the chili peppers providing the heat while the garlic provides a savory taste.
While it can’t replicate Sriracha’s unique flavor profile, Chili Garlic Sauce can provide a milder kick to any meal.
Additionally, it has no added preservatives or artificial flavors that may be found in some Sriracha sauces.
Conclusion on sriracha substitute
In conclusion, these 10 ideal Sriracha substitutes will come in handy when you’ve run out of Sriracha.
With the ratios provided, you’ll be able to replicate the same amount of heat and flavors in your dishes with these alternatives.
So, the next time you’re out of Sriracha, don’t panic and use these substitutes to add that same fiery flavor!
FAQs on sriracha substitute
Q1. What is similar to sriracha?
Sriracha is a kind of hot sauce that originated in Thailand. Similar sauces include gochujang, which is also popular in Southeast Asia and Chile, sambal oelek from Indonesia, Harissa from Tunisia and North Africa, and peri-peri sauce from Portugal.
Each of these sauces has its own unique flavor profile due to the different ingredients used. They all have heat levels ranging from mild to extremely hot, depending on the chosen type.
Q2. Can I substitute Sriracha for hot sauce?
Yes, you can absolutely substitute Sriracha for hot sauce. Sriracha is a type of hot sauce created from a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. It has a little different flavor than traditional hot sauces, as it has a mild sweetness and slight tanginess that isn’t found in many other types of hot sauces.
While it is typically spicier than traditional hot sauces, its heat level can be adjusted by adding more or less chili peppers to the recipe. As such, using Sriracha as a substitute for the traditional hot sauce will give your dish an added dimension of flavor that sets it apart from the rest.
Q3. Can you substitute Sriracha for ketchup?
It is possible to substitute Sriracha for ketchup in certain dishes; however, the flavor will be much different, and not all recipes may work with the substitution. Sriracha is spicier than ketchup and adds a more complex flavor profile that includes garlic, sugar, and chili peppers.
It can be used on sandwiches, tacos, burgers and more, but it’s important to note that adding too much of this spicy sauce could easily overpower other flavors in a dish. Use caution when substituting Sriracha for ketchup!
Q4. How can I replace 1 teaspoon of Sriracha?
Substituting 1 teaspoon of Sriracha can be done by combining a few different ingredients. A common substitution is to mix together half teaspoon of cayenne pepper, one-fourth teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar.
This combination provides a flavor profile similar to that of Sriracha but with its unique flavor. To make the substitution even closer in flavor to Sriracha, you could also add a pinch or two of white vinegar and a splash of soy sauce. Adding small amounts of these additional ingredients will help replicate the tangy, spicy taste that Sriracha has become known for.
Q5. Can I substitute hot sauce for Sriracha
It is possible to substitute hot sauce for Sriracha in a recipe, although the flavor will not be quite the same. Sriracha is produced from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. Hot sauce may have similar ingredients but can vary depending on the maker.
It can also have a range of heat levels that are different than Sriracha. Because of these variations, it’s best to taste the hot sauce before using it as a substitute for Sriracha and adjust other flavors in the recipe accordingly.
Q6. Can you substitute red pepper flakes for Sriracha
No, you cannot substitute red pepper flakes for Sriracha. Sriracha has a unique flavor and texture due to the combination of chilis, garlic and sugar. Red pepper flakes lack these components and therefore do not provide the same taste or texture as Sriracha when used in recipes.
Q7. What sauce is closest to Sriracha?
A sauce that is quite similar to Sriracha is gochujang, a Korean condiment made from chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. It has a spicy kick with sweet and savory undertones and can be used for marinades, dips, sauces, soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Although it packs more of a punch than Sriracha does in terms of spiciness, its flavor profile is still quite similar. Like Sriracha, it provides an umami kick that makes dishes pop with flavor. As an added bonus, gochujang has health benefits as it’s gluten-free and packed with vitamins from the chili peppers.
Q8. Is Sriracha just spicy ketchup?
No, Sriracha is not just spicy ketchup. While both condiments are used to add flavor to meals, they differ in their ingredients and taste. Sriracha is a sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt and vinegar. Ketchup typically consists of tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and spices.
The two sauces have different consistencies as well; ketchup is thicker and has a smooth texture, while Sriracha has a thin consistency and offers a crunchy texture when added to foods. The flavor of the two also varies greatly; ketchup is usually sweet with a slight tanginess coming from the vinegar, while Sriracha has its signature spiciness derived from the chili peppers.
Q9. How is Sriracha different from ketchup?
Sriracha is a type of hot sauce typically made from pureed chilies, vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. It has a pungent flavor with subtle sweetness and moderate levels of heat.
In comparison to ketchup, which is a tomato-based condiment often sweetened with lots of added sugar or corn syrup, Sriracha has more complex flavors and adds an intense chili kick. Additionally, Sriracha contains significantly more sodium than ketchup.