Sriracha sauce has always been a popular choice for those who want to enjoy a spicy kick in their food. It’s often used to add heat to dishes such as stir-fry, eggs, or sushi. Though there are cooks who have either run out, never used any, or want to dive deeper into the world of sauces. This is where my search for the best substitutes for sriracha sauce comes in.
There are various options available for those seeking an alternative to sriracha sauce. Some are mild, while others are hotter. Others are made with different ingredients, providing a unique flavor profile on top of the spicy deliciousness it already has.
For those who enjoy experimenting with different flavors, trying out different replacements for sriracha sauce can be an exciting experience!
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Best Substitutes for Sriracha Sauce
Homemade Hot Sauce
Let’s start off with making your own delicious hot sauce. By doing so, you can tailor the flavor and spiciness to your liking, and the best part is that it’s a straightforward process that requires minimal ingredients.
To make your own hot sauce, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of chopped peppers (such as jalapeno, habanero, or serrano)
- 1/2 cup of chopped onion
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- In a saucepan, combine the chopped peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
- Add the white vinegar, sugar, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Strain the hot sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids.
- Pour the hot sauce into a jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator.
Making your own sauce is an enjoyable and rewarding kitchen project that allows you to control the flavor and spiciness of your condiment. By experimenting with different types of peppers and spices, you can confidently create a unique hot sauce that perfectly suits your taste buds.
Sambal Oelek
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 3/4 tablespoon of sambal oelek
Sambal oelek is a chili paste that’s composed of fresh red chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. Although it has a quite similar level of heat to sriracha, it differs in the flavor profile. Sambal oelek is less sweet, has a stronger chili taste, and is widely available.
It also has a thinner consistency that may seem like a drawback, but it’s actually a perfect choice for adding to marinades, dressings, and sauces.
Fly by Jing Zhong Sauce
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of Fly by Jing Zhong sauce
Fly by Jing Zhong sauce is a highly adaptable and delicious condiment that can easily replace a number of other hot sauces. Its unique blend of flavors, including Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and spices, gives it a distinctive and savory taste that complements any food it’s used in.
On top of that, its heat level can be adjusted to suit your preferences, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer milder or spicier sauces.
The versatility of Zhong sauce is one of its greatest strengths. It can be used in lots of ways, such as a marinade for meats, a sauce for noodles, a dip for vegetables, or a topping for pizza. Its complex flavor profile also makes it an excellent addition to stir-fries, soups, and stews.
Sweet Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of sweet chili sauce
Sweet chili sauce can be a great alternative, especially if you prefer sweeter flavors. This sauce has a similar consistency and is made from chili peppers, vinegar, and sugar. It’s also less spicy, which makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer milder flavors. Though the sweetness level does vary among brands, so keep that in mind.
Sweet chili sauce is commonly used as a dipping sauce for appetizers such as spring rolls and chicken wings. It can also be used as a glaze for grilled or roasted meats or as a topping for stir-fries and noodle dishes.
It’s important to check the ingredients list, as some brands may contain artificial colors or preservatives. It’s best to choose a sauce that uses natural ingredients.
Peri Peri Sauce
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of peri-peri sauce
Peri Peri sauce is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a spicy and tangy alternative to Sriracha sauce. This sauce is made from African bird’s eye chili peppers, lemon juice, garlic, and vinegar, which gives it a distinct and flavorful taste.
This sauce can be used in various dishes, including marinades, dressings, dips, and even as a condiment for burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. It has a comparable heat level to sriracha sauce but with a slightly different flavor profile that can enhance the taste of your dishes and add depth and complexity.
Gochujang
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of gochujang
Gochujang is a unique substitute that you might want to consider. This Korean sauce is made of fermented soybeans, rice, and chili peppers and has a slightly sweet and spicy flavor that’s perfect for use in marinades, dressings, and dipping sauces.
The versatility of this sauce is one of its key advantages. It can be used in many ways, such as a marinade for grilled meats, added to stir-fries for extra flavor, or even in vegetable dishes and crackers.
This sauce does have a different flavor profile than sriracha sauce. While the latter has a tangy and garlicky taste, it has a sweeter and more complex flavor that can add a unique twist to your dishes.
Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1/4 tablespoon of Louisiana-style hot sauce
Louisiana-style hot sauce is another great option to consider. This sauce is made from cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt, which gives it a tangy and spicy flavor profile. It also has a similar consistency and can be used in the same ways, such as a condiment for burgers, sandwiches, spicy-style snacks, and wraps or as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
While sriracha is known for its garlicky taste, Louisiana-style hot sauce has a tangier and spicer flavor that can complement a variety of foods. The fact that Louisiana-style hot sauce is available in most grocery shops is one of the main reasons to use it. It’s also more reasonably priced than sriracha, making it a cost-effective choice.
Cayenne
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1/4 tablespoon of cayenne peppers paste form
Cayenne pepper is a natural and affordable alternative to sriracha sauce, with a considerably higher level of heat and a slightly different flavor profile that can add a delicious blast of spice to your dishes. Simply sprinkle it onto your food or mix it with olive oil to create a paste. However, since it’s much spicier, use it sparingly and gradually increase the quantity.
This pepper also offers several advantages. One of which is its accessibility in most grocery stores and affordability.
Tapatio
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of tapatio
Tapatio hot sauce is an excellent substitute if you’re looking to add a spicy punch to your food. This hot sauce is made from red peppers, salt, and vinegar, which gives it a unique flavor that distinguishes it from other hot sauces.
This hot sauce is available in most grocery stores and is relatively affordable. This means you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to try it out.
Chili Garlic Sauce
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce
Chili garlic sauce is a great substitute that boasts a distinct and delicious flavor. The sauce is made from a blend of chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and spices, which gives it a tangy and slightly sweet taste that complements numerous dishes. Its texture is also thicker and chunkier, making it ideal for recipes that require a more substantial sauce.
The usability of this sauce is one of its most appealing features. It can be used in various ways, such as a marinade for meats, a sauce for stir-fries, a dip for dumplings, or as a sauce topping for pizza.
Harissa
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1/2 tablespoon of harissa sauce
Harissa is a North African hot sauce made from roasted red peppers, garlic, chili peppers, and spices, giving it a unique and complex taste. It has a similar consistency and can be used similarly to its counterpart.
Harissa is also available, affordable, and has a smoky and earthy flavor that can bring a new level of flavor to your dishes. However, it’s much spicier than sriracha, so use it in small amounts at first and gradually increase the quantity.
Ketchup and Hot Sauce
1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce = 1 tablespoon of ketchup + 1 teaspoon of hot sauce
When you’re in need of a quick and easy substitute for sriracha sauce, combining ketchup and hot sauce can be just the trick. This mixture can offer a similar sweet and spicy flavor profile that sriracha is known for.
To create this substitute, mix equal parts of ketchup and hot sauce in a bowl. You can adjust the ratio to your liking, depending on how spicy you want the sauce to be. You can also add a small amount of honey or sugar to the mixture if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Tabasco
1 tablespoon of sriracha sauce = 1/4 tablespoon of tabasco
Tabasco sauce is a slightly hotter sauce made from tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt, which gives it a similar consistency and a spicy kick that can enhance any dish. It’s best to use tabasco sauce as a condiment rather than a cooking sauce since it’s thinner. It’s also perfect for adding heat to soups, stews, and chili, as well as for drizzling on top of eggs, pizza, and sandwiches.