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Savory Tweaks: 7 BEST Sriracha Sauce Substitutes

Are you running low on Sriracha sauce, or perhaps looking for alternatives that can bring a unique flavor to your cooking?

Don’t worry, there are plenty of other tasty options out there.

Sriracha might be an iconic condiment loaded with pungent garlic, spicy chilies and vinegary complexity but it doesn’t have to be the only one you use.

From Korean Gochujang paste to Southeast Asian sambal oelek, in this blog post we take a look at seven satisfying and delicious substitutes for hearty sriracha sauce that will help give your meals some serious heat!

What’s Sriracha Sauce?

Sriracha sauce is a type of chili sauce that originated in Thailand.

The sauce is made from a paste of chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, and vinegar.

Sriracha sauce has a fiery yet sweet taste and is often used as a condiment or dipping sauce.

The origins of Sriracha sauce are unclear, but the most popular theory is that it was invented by a woman named Thanom Chakkapak in the 1930s.

Thanom owned a restaurant in Bangkok and created the sauce as a way to add flavor to her dishes.

The sauce quickly gained popularity among locals and eventually spread to other parts of Thailand.

In the 1980s, Sriracha sauce made its way to the United States, where it became a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine.

Today, Sriracha sauce can be found in many grocery stores and is used in both cooked dishes and as a condiment for dipping.

Sriracha sauce has a unique taste that is both fiery and sweet.

The heat comes from the chili peppers, while the sweetness is added by the sugar and vinegar.

The textures of Sriracha sauce can vary depending on the brand, but it is typically thick and slightly chunky.

Sriracha sauce can be used in both cooked dishes and as a condiment for dipping.

It is commonly used in Thai cuisine but can also be added to soups, stir-fries, noodles, rice, and more.

Sriracha sauce can also be used as a marinade or added to sauces and dips for an extra kick of flavor.

7 Best Sriracha Sauce Substitutes

1. Sambal Oelek

Sambal Oelek is a chili paste that originates from Indonesia.

It is made from ground chilies, vinegar, and salt.

The taste of Sambal Oelek is much less complex than Sriracha sauce.

It is very spicy with a hint of sweetness and acidity.

To substitute Sambal Oelek for Sriracha sauce, simply add it to dishes in place of Sriracha.

You may need to adjust the amount you use depending on how spicy you want the dish to be.

Start with a small amount and add more to taste.

2. Gochujang

Gochujang is a Korean chili paste that has a unique flavor.

It is made from chili peppers, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt.

The taste is sweet, spicy, and savory all at the same time.

It can be used as a condiment or an ingredient in cooked dishes.

If you’re looking for a Sriracha substitute that has a similar taste, gochujang is a good option.

You can use it in the same way you would use Sriracha sauce- as a condiment or an ingredient.

Keep in mind that gochujang is more pungent than Sriracha, so start with a small amount and add more to taste.

3. Harissa

Harissa is a North African chili paste that’s made with a blend of roasted red peppers, hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin and caraway.

It has a rich, smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness and a moderate amount of heat.

Harissa is traditionally used as a condiment or as an ingredient in stews and soups.

If you’re looking for a Sriracha substitute that has a similar taste, harissa is a good option.

It has the same depth of flavor with a slightly different spice profile.

Harissa is also slightly sweeter than Sriracha.

When substituting it for Sriracha, you may want to start with half the amount and add more to taste.

4. Tapatío

If you’re a fan of Sriracha sauce, then you’ll love Tapatío.

Tapatío is a Mexican chili pepper sauce that is similar to Sriracha in both taste and heat.

The main difference between the two sauces is that Tapatío is made with red peppers while Sriracha is made with green peppers.

Tapatío has a slightly sweeter taste than Sriracha, but it is just as spicy.

If you’re looking for a sriracha substitute that is just as hot, then Tapatío is the perfect sauce for you.

To use Tapatío as a Sriracha substitute, simply add it to any dish to that you would normally add Sriracha.

Tapatío can be used in everything from soups and stews to chicken and rice dishes.

5. Frank’s RedHot Sauce

Frank’s RedHot sauce is a popular hot sauce that can be used as a Sriracha substitute.

It has a similar taste to Sriracha, but it is not as sweet.

You can use it in the same way as Sriracha, but you may want to add a little extra sugar to balance out the heat.

If you are looking for a Sriracha substitute that is less spicy, then Frank’s RedHot sauce is a good option.

It has a similar taste to Sriracha, but it is not as sweet.

You can use it in the same way as Sriracha, but you may want to add a little extra sugar to balance out the heat.

6. Louisiana style Hot Sauce

If you’re looking for a Louisiana-style hot sauce to use as a Sriracha substitute, look no further than Crystal Hot Sauce.

This hot sauce has a similar vinegary taste to Sriracha, with a little less heat.

It’s perfect for those who want to add a little spice to their food without setting their mouth on fire.

Crystal Hot Sauce is made from cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt.

This simple ingredient list is what gives the hot sauce its characteristic tangy flavor.

If you’re looking to add some heat to your food without overwhelming your taste buds, Crystal Hot Sauce is a great option.

To substitute Crystal Hot Sauce for Sriracha in a recipe, simply use it in place of the Sriracha.

You may need to adjust the amount you use depending on how much heat you want, but overall, Crystal Hot Sauce makes a great Sriracha substitute.

7. Tabasco Sauce

If you’re looking for a Sriracha sauce substitute that has a similar level of heat, then Tabasco sauce is a good option.

This sauce is made with chili peppers, vinegar, and salt, and it has a slightly vinegary taste with a kick of heat.

It’s also fairly thin in consistency, so it’s easy to add to dishes.

To substitute Tabasco sauce for Sriracha, start by adding it to dishes in small amounts.

You can always add more if you want more heat, but it’s difficult to take the heat away once it’s added.

Additionally, keep in mind that Tabasco sauce is quite salty, so you may want to reduce the amount of salt in your dish if you’re using this substitution.

Conclusion

With so many great substitutes out there, it’s hard to go wrong when switching out Sriracha sauce for another kind of hot sauce.

Each of the sauces listed above has its own unique flavors that can enhance the taste of any dish.

So whether you’re looking for a milder or more intense flavor, there’s sure to be a Sriracha sauce substitute that’s perfect for you.

7 BEST Sriracha Sauce Substitutes You Should Try

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Substitutes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • 1. Sambal Oelek
  • 2. Gochujang
  • 3. Harissa
  • 4. Tapatío
  • 5. Frank’s RedHot Sauce
  • 6. Louisiana style Hot Sauce
  • 7. Tabasco Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite ingredient from the list above to use as a substitute.
  • Follow the instructions and use the exact ratio of ingredients as directed.
  • This will help to ensure that your dish turns out just as delicious as it would have with the original ingredient.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!