Known for its intensely spicy, tangy and sweet flavor. Sriracha is often used to add a distinctive flavor to many Asian recipes. If you’re not in the habit of keeping sriracha sauce in your fridge, there are 9 great Sriracha Substitutes available.
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What is Sriracha?
Sriracha sauce is a chili sauce with origins in Thailand. It is a popular condiment used to add heat and acidity to dishes.
What is Sriracha Sauce Made of?
It’s made from a mixture of chili peppers, sugar, salt, garlic, and vinegar in a viscous paste. This gives it that signature flavor that is spicy and tangy with a hint of sweetness. Although it is hot, Sriracha only scores 1,000 – 2,500 on the Scoville Heat Scale.
Best Substitutes for Sriracha
There are several different kinds of hot sauces that can be substituted for sriracha. However, the flavor may not be the same. If your recipe requires sriracha sauce and you want to follow it as closely as possible, use this list that will help you find the right substitute.
Sambal Oelek (Our Top Choice)
Sambal oelek is the closest multi-purpose sauce to sriracha. It’s an extra spicy chili paste that comes from Indonesia. Its flavor typically consists of a variety of peppers. It is somewhat thicker in consistency compared to sriracha and usually has more spice as well. Additionally, Sambal oelek contains no sugar.
Sambak Oelek is similar to sriracha in terms of consistency and flavor. To be specific, Sambal Oelek is just lacking in the garlic tones that Sriracha contains. To make it taste the same as sriracha, simply add a spoonful of sugar and a few squeezes of lime or vinegar.
Ratio: 1 tablespoon Sriracha = 3/4 tablespoon Sambal Oelek
Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweet chili sauce is an Asian condiment that is most often used with ingredients like rice wine vinegar, chili peppers, and sweeteners. Sweet chili sauce is usually thought to be the exact opposite of sriracha since sriracha is hot and spicy compared to sweet chili which is sweeter and more garlicky. You can substitute sweet chili sauce for sriracha in any recipes that do not heavily call for heat or spiciness.
Ratio: 1: 1 substitution
Tabasco Hot Sauce
Being an American brand of hot sauce, Tabasco is available in essentially all supermarkets and grocery stores. Although its consistency is thinner than Sriracha, Tabasco contains a few of the same ingredients such as vinegar and chili peppers. This makes it worthwhile to test out as an alternative.
Tabasco has more potency compared to sriracha, so keep this in mind when substituting. To use Tabasco as a dipping sauce, add it to some ketchup or tomato puree to give it a thicker texture.
Ratio: 1 tablespoon Sriracha = 1/4 tablespoon Tabasco Hot Sauce
Chipotle Ketchup
Chipotle ketchup is just normal tomato ketchup flavored with chipotle peppers and various red jalapenos. Since its consistency is quite similar to ketchup, it can be used as a dipping sauce and spread.
The flavors of Chipotle ketchup are very balanced. It starts off as sweet and then ends off with spice. The heat has a smoky taste that you will feel on your nose. It makes a unique substitute for sriracha and is a good pairing with many kinds of fast foods including grilled cheese and fries. If the recipe requires spiciness, you can simply sprinkle some chili flakes on top.
Ratio: 1: 1
Peri-Peri Sauce
Peri-peri sauce is made out of peri-peri which is cultivated from Malagueta pepper invented in South Africa so that the Portuguese had something to go with their spicy cuisine. Its flavor has a signature tang and spiciness that is a close match for sriracha.
Peri-peri usually consists of lemon, pepper, onion, bay leaf, chili, vinegar, and garlic. When combined, these ingredients create the perfect hot sauce that is quite similar to sriracha.
Ratio: 1:1
Louisiana Hot Sauce
Although Louisiana hot sauce is much like Tabasco, it is somewhat milder. There is enough in just one drop to spice up whatever food you add it to. Its bright, peppery taste makes it resemble sriracha.
This hot sauce is very spicy so use it sparingly and only add more once you have tasted your dish. There are some varieties to choose from that come in different ranges of spiciness.
Ratio: 1 tablespoon Sriracha = 1/4 tablespoon Louisiana Hot Sauce
Gochujang (Korean Hot Pepper Paste)
Korean hot pepper paste, also known as “gochujang,” is an interesting spin on sriracha. It is made from ground red chili pepper flakes, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt. Out of the different kinds of cooking pastes, Gochujang is the closest to sriracha in terms of flavor but it lacks the distinct vinegar tang. Using this as a substitute for sriracha or vice versa will not affect the heat profile.
Ratio: 1:1
Dried Cayenne Pepper
If you quickly need something to add some spice to your dish, cayenne pepper works well in dishes that require sriracha.
Although the spice itself is neutral, it has a pretty decent kick to it. The best thing about dried cayenne pepper is that it adds the necessary heat without changing the overall flavor of the dish. If you are still lacking some tanginess, just add a squeeze of lemon.
Ratio: 1 tablespoon Sriracha = 1/2 tablespoon Dried Cayenne Pepper
Tapatio
Tapatio is a popular Mexican-American hot sauce consisting of regular peppers and significant heat. It’s stronger than sriracha but still makes a good alternative.
If you enjoy experimenting with different levels of spiciness, try swapping sriracha with Tapatio when you need a dipping sauce. Tapatio also makes a nice glaze for meats to give them a smoky flavor.
Ratio: 1:1
Ways to Use Sriracha and Its Substitutes
Sriracha is very versatile. It’s most commonly used in Southeast Asian dishes. Sriracha is a delicious addition to things like phở, stir-fry, curry, soups, and stews. It can also work in marinades.
Sriracha is used as a dipping sauce in Thailand. Try using it on the top of fish cakes or with spring rolls, or even as a side for dumplings.
If you enjoy the flavor, you’ll most likely want to try it on a variety of different cuisines. Sriracha can also give an extra boost to dishes that are more simple including omelets and scrambled eggs.
Does Sriracha Sauce Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, Sriracha can be stored on the shelf after it is opened for about 6 months. You can usually tell by a change in color if your Sriracha has gone bad. Its typical bright red color will dull and darken over time. Other than possibly making you sick, old Sriracha does not have that good of a taste. Sriracha’s shelf life increases significantly if kept in the fridge as it can last for up to two years here.
Is Sriracha the Same As Hot Sauce?
Yes, Sriracha is identical to hot sauce. Hot sauce is a generic term that describes a broad range of sauces consisting of chili and other spicy ingredients. Sriracha was first used in Thailand and is now becoming popular around the world.
Is Chili Garlic Sauce the Same As Sriracha?
Chili garlic sauce is not exactly the same as sriracha but they use similar ingredients which is what makes it a common substitute.
In order for sriracha to have the best flavor, it needs to be fermented but this is time-consuming. Chili garlic sauce does not have a smooth consistency like Sriracha and it also contains pulp. This makes it less likely to be used as a condiment but on the other hand, it works great for sauces.
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How to Make Homemade Sriracha Sauce Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds red jalapeño peppers halved lengthwise, and stems removed
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- water as needed
Instructions
- Add peppers, garlic, and garlic powder to a food processor. Pulse until a coarse purée forms.
- Transfer the mixture to a glass jar and seal.
- Leave it at room temperature for 7 days, stirring daily.
- After 1 week, pour the mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the vinegar and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool and then purée it in a food processor for a few minutes, until a smooth paste forms.
- Push the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning and consistency.
- You can add additional vinegar, water, salt, granulated sugar, or garlic powder to suit your taste.
- Transfer to a glass jar, close the lid tightly, and refrigerate for up to 6 months.
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