Sriracha sauce has become a staple condiment for food lovers around the world. Its unique blend of heat, sweetness, and tang makes it perfect for elevating a wide variety of dishes. However, whether due to recent shortages, dietary restrictions, or simply a desire to try something new, you might find yourself in need of a substitute for Sriracha. Fortunately, many excellent alternatives can deliver similar flavors and heat in your recipes.
Recently, the Sriracha shortage has prompted many people to search for suitable replacements. Additionally, some may need a substitute because they prefer milder options or need to avoid certain ingredients like sugar or gluten. No matter your reason, several substitutes are available, each catering to different tastes and preferences. For further details, consider checking out this CNET guide to Sriracha alternatives.
Let’s explore the best store-bought and homemade substitutes, from spicy to mild, so you can meet your culinary needs with the perfect substitute for Sriracha.
Popular Store-Bought Sriracha Substitutes
When you need a quick replacement for Sriracha sauce, there are several store-bought options that offer a similar flavor profile. While some alternatives are spicier, others focus more on sweetness. Nevertheless, all of them can serve as a reliable substitute for Sriracha, depending on your preferences.
1. Sambal Oelek (Best Flavor Match)
- Flavor Profile: Sambal Oelek is a simple chili paste made from crushed red chilies, vinegar, and salt. While it provides a comparable level of heat to Sriracha, it lacks the sweetness.
- How to Use It: To more closely match the flavor of Sriracha, you can easily add a touch of sugar or honey to Sambal Oelek. This addition will help balance the heat with sweetness, making it a more accurate substitute for Sriracha.
- Best For: Stir-fries, soups, dipping sauces, and marinades.
For those interested in making their own hot sauce, Sambal Oelek can serve as an excellent base. In fact, follow this Serious Eats guide for step-by-step instructions on creating your own homemade Sriracha.
2. Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste with Depth)
- Flavor Profile: Gochujang is a fermented chili paste from Korea that adds complexity to your dishes. It’s a rich, umami-filled paste with a slightly sweet and smoky flavor. Because it’s fermented, Gochujang has a much deeper flavor than Sriracha.
- How to Use It: If you want to replicate Sriracha’s texture, you may need to dilute Gochujang with vinegar or soy sauce. Adding a small amount of honey or sugar can also help enhance its sweetness.
- Best For: Stir-fries, marinades, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings or rice dishes.
Additionally, you can explore creative ways to incorporate Gochujang into recipes, such as Sourdough Discard Crackers for a unique flavor twist.
3. Sweet Chili Sauce (A Sweeter Alternative)
- Flavor Profile: If you’re searching for a milder, sweeter option, Sweet Chili Sauce is a great substitute for Sriracha. It has a syrupy consistency and emphasizes sweetness more than heat, though it still provides a mild spicy kick.
- Best For: Glazing meats, stir-fries, or as a dipping sauce for spring rolls.
Sweet Chili Sauce works especially well in recipes that call for balancing sweet and savory elements. For instance, it can be used in baked goods like this Pumpkin Banana Loaf, where the sweetness adds a delightful contrast.
4. Tabasco Sauce (Classic Vinegary Heat)
- Flavor Profile: Tabasco is a classic hot sauce, known for its sharp, vinegary bite. Unlike Sriracha’s smoother flavor, Tabasco has a more acidic kick. Although it lacks sweetness, it delivers a comparable level of heat and can be used as a substitute for Sriracha in certain dishes.
- How to Use It: To balance out the sharp vinegar flavor and make it more like Sriracha, try mixing Tabasco with ketchup or adding a small amount of sugar.
- Best For: Tacos, eggs, soups, or as a general hot sauce for adding heat to different dishes.
5. Cholula Hot Sauce (Smoky & Mild)
- Flavor Profile: Cholula is a Mexican hot sauce that is known for its mild heat and smoky undertones. Although it is less spicy than Sriracha, it still brings depth and complexity, making it a great option for those seeking a more subtle substitute for Sriracha.
- Best For: Grilled meats, tacos, breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros, or as a marinade for chicken and seafood.
Homemade Sriracha Substitutes
For those who enjoy making their condiments from scratch, several homemade alternatives can easily stand in for Sriracha sauce. When you create your own sauce at home, you have the advantage of controlling the ingredients, adjusting the heat, and customizing the sweetness to your taste.
1. DIY Sriracha Recipe
- Ingredients: Fresh red jalapeños, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt.
- Instructions: Blend all the ingredients into a smooth paste, then allow the mixture to ferment for 5-7 days. The fermentation process is key to developing the tangy flavor that makes Sriracha so special. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip the fermentation step and cook the ingredients instead.
- Best For: Use this DIY recipe to create a homemade substitute for Sriracha in dips, marinades, or as a finishing sauce for meats and vegetables.
2. Spicy Mayo
- Ingredients: Combine mayonnaise with Sambal Oelek or another hot sauce, along with a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor.
- Uses: This creamy condiment is great for spreading on sandwiches, using as a dipping sauce for fries or veggies, or even topping sushi rolls.
3. Hot Honey
- Ingredients: Mix honey with chili flakes or a few drops of hot sauce to create a sweet and spicy combination.
- Uses: Drizzle hot honey over pizza, roasted vegetables, or chicken wings for a fantastic sweet-spicy contrast. Additionally, it works perfectly as a glaze for meats.
For more inspiration on how to incorporate hot honey into your dishes, try it in savory recipes like this Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe, where a hot honey glaze can bring out incredible flavors.
Milder & Non-Spicy Sriracha Substitutes
If you’re sensitive to heat but still want a flavorful alternative to Sriracha, there are several milder substitutes that provide great taste without overwhelming spiciness.
1. Ketchup & Frank’s RedHot (Mild Heat)
- Flavor Profile: By mixing ketchup with Frank’s RedHot, you create a sauce that is much milder than Sriracha but still provides a hint of spice. The ketchup adds sweetness, while Frank’s delivers a gentle heat.
- Best For: This mild substitute for Sriracha works well on burgers, fries, or as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets.
2. Peri-Peri Sauce (Mild Yet Flavorful)
- Flavor Profile: Peri-Peri sauce brings gentle heat with citrusy undertones, making it an excellent choice for those who want less spiciness. Originally from Africa, Peri-Peri adds flavor without overwhelming heat.
- Best For: Grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
3. Chili Oil (Less Intense Heat)
- Flavor Profile: Chili oil offers subtle heat compared to Sriracha, making it ideal for those who prefer their food to be less spicy. It provides warmth and a rich, savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Best For: Drizzling over noodles, pizza, stir-fries, or using as a finishing oil for dumplings.
Non-Spicy Sriracha Substitutes
If you’re looking for a completely non-spicy substitute for Sriracha, several options focus more on flavor than heat. These substitutes are perfect for those with low spice tolerance or for recipes that don’t require any heat at all.
1. Mayonnaise with a Twist
- Ingredients: Mix mayonnaise with lime juice, garlic, or mustard to create a creamy, tangy sauce that replicates the texture and richness of Sriracha, minus the spice.
- Best For: Sandwiches, burgers, as a salad dressing, or for adding flavor to wraps.
2. Ketchipotle
- Flavor Profile: Blend ketchup with chipotle paste to create a smoky, flavorful sauce that delivers depth without intense heat. The sweetness of the ketchup balances perfectly with the smoky notes from the chipotle.
- Best For: Burgers, grilled meats, fries, or as a BBQ sauce.
3. Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- Flavor Profile: Roasted red peppers blended with vinegar create a sweet, tangy sauce that mimics the texture of Sriracha without the heat. It’s a great substitute for Sriracha for those who enjoy the flavor but prefer to avoid spiciness.
- Best For: Pasta sauces, dips, spreads, or as a topping for sandwiches and salads.
How to Choose the Best Sriracha Substitute
Ultimately, selecting the best substitute for Sriracha depends on the dish you’re preparing and your personal taste preferences. While some recipes benefit from intense heat, others might be better suited for a milder or even non-spicy option.
Tips for Choosing the Right Substitute:
- For a Close Match: Choose Sambal Oelek or Gochujang if you’re looking for something that closely mimics Sriracha’s heat and complexity.
- For Milder Heat: Consider using Sweet Chili Sauce or Cholula for a more balanced flavor that won’t overpower your dish.
- For a Non-Spicy Option: If you need to avoid heat altogether, flavored mayonnaise, ketchup blends, or roasted red pepper sauce can bring flavor without the spice.
Feel free to experiment with different substitutes to find the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and flavor for your dishes.
FAQs About Sriracha Substitutes
1. What is the closest substitute for Sriracha?
Sambal Oelek is widely considered the closest substitute for Sriracha. Adding a touch of sugar will help replicate Sriracha’s sweet, spicy flavor.
2. Can ketchup replace Sriracha?
While ketchup lacks the heat of Sriracha, combining it with chili flakes or hot sauce can create a milder, tangy alternative that works in recipes requiring less spice.
3. Is Sriracha spicier than Tabasco?
Typically, Sriracha has a more balanced heat compared to Tabasco, which delivers a sharper, vinegar-forward kick.
4. Can I use gochujang instead of Sriracha?
Yes, Gochujang is a suitable substitute for Sriracha, though its thicker texture and fermented flavor make it better suited for dishes that require a richer, umami-filled sauce.
Conclusion: Exploring the Best Sriracha Substitutes
Whether you’re looking for a replacement due to the Sriracha shortage or simply want to try something new, there are many excellent substitute for Sriracha options available. From spicy alternatives like Sambal Oelek and Gochujang to milder options like Sweet Chili Sauce and non-spicy alternatives like Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, you’ll find the perfect match for your dish.
For more ideas on how to use these substitutes, try incorporating them into recipes like Sourdough Discard Crackers to elevate your cooking experience.