Sriracha is a condiment that adds heat and acidity. This paste is made by mixing chili peppers with sugar, salt and garlic into a viscous mixture. It’s easy to substitute for Sriracha because the ingredients are simple and easily found.
Many hot sauces can be substituted for Sriracha. However, they may not have the same flavor. This curated list will help you to find the perfect substitute for sriracha sauce if you have a recipe that calls for it.
#1. Sambal Oelek
Sambal week, the next best multipurpose sauce after Sriracha is likely the next best. It is an Indonesian-inspired extra spicy chili paste. It often combines the flavors from a variety of peppers. Sambal is spicier than Sriracha and has a thicker consistency. Sambal oelek can also be made sugar-free.
Sambal oelek might be better than Sriracha if you look for heat and spice. If you’re looking to make it taste like Sriracha, you can add some sugar and squeeze in some vinegar.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 3/4 Tbsp. Sambal
#2. Peri-Peri Sauce
The peri-peri sauce is made from peri-peri. It’s a Malagueta pepper cultivar developed by the Portuguese of South Africa to accompany their spicy food. It is a spicy, tangy flavor that is very similar to Sriracha.
Peri-peri can be purchased in powdered or sauce form. It also comes in several varieties. Peri-peri is usually made with lemon, onion and pepper. It also contains chili, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, chili and vinegar. These ingredients make a great hot sauce that is very similar to Sriracha.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1 Tbsp. Peri-Peri Sauce
#3. Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweet chili sauce, also known as Asian condiment, is made from rice wine vinegar, chili peppers and a sweetening agent. Sweet chili sauce might seem like Sriracha’s opposite. Sriracha is hotter and spicy, while sweet chili sauce is sweeter and garlicky.
Sweet chili sauce is unique because it adds spice to food without heat. In any recipe that doesn’t require heat or spice, sweet chili sauce can be substituted for Sriracha.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1 Tbsp. Sweet Chili Sauce
#4. Tabasco Hot Sauce
Tabasco, an American brand of hot sauce, is available in nearly every grocery and supermarket. Tabasco is a lighter version of Sriracha but still contains the same ingredients as Sriracha. It also uses vinegar and chili peppers, making it an appealing alternative.
Tabasco comes in a variety of flavors, each with a distinct taste. They all add heat to your dish. Tabasco can be a little more potent than Sriracha, so make sure to substitute. Tabasco can be used as a dip by adding it to ketchup or tomato puree to give it a thicker texture.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1/4 Tbsp. Tabasco Hot Sauce
#5. Louisiana Hot Sauce
Louisiana hot sauce tastes a lot like Tabasco but is milder. One drop will spice up any amount of food. It tastes like Sriracha but has a bright, peppery flavor.
This is a spicy ingredient, so use it sparingly and only increase the amount after you have tasted it. There are several options depending on how spicy you want it to be. Even the mildest version is still a great upgrade to Sriracha.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1/4 Tbsp. Louisiana Hot Sauce
#6. Chipotle Ketchup
Chipotle ketchup can be described as regular tomato ketchup but with various red jalapenos and chipotle peppers. Its consistency is similar to ketchup, so you can use it as a dipping sauce or spread.
Chipotle ketchup is very balanced in taste. It is sweet at the start and retains heat until the end. It’s smoky, and you can feel it in your nose. This is a great alternative to Sriracha. It pairs well with grilled cheese and fries and other fast food options like burgers and sandwiches. Chili flakes can be added to enhance the spice.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha Sauce = 1 Tbsp. Chipotle Ketchup = 1 Tbsp.
#7. Korean Hot Pepper Paste
Gochujang, Korean as Korean hot pepper paste, is a bold alternative to Sriracha. It can be found in almost all Asian supermarkets.
Korean hot pepper paste is made from red chili pepper flakes and glutinous rice. It also contains salt. If you don’t use vinegar, your dish may have a different flavor than Sriracha. However, swapping one for the other will not affect the heat profile.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1 Tbsp. Korean Hot Pepper Paste
#8. Dried Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a great option for those in a hurry and who want to spice up a dish that calls for Sriracha.
It is a neutral spice that has a decent kick. The best thing about dried cayenne peppers is that they add heat to the dish without changing the flavor. A squeeze of lemon can be added to give it more flavor.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1/4 Tbsp. Dried Cayenne Pepper
#9. Tapatio
Tapatio, a popular Mexican-American hot sauce, uses regular peppers and adds substantial heat to dishes. Although it’s stronger than Sriracha sauce, it can also be used as a substitution.
You might like spicy dishes to try Tapatio and Sriracha as a dipping sauce. To give your meats a smokey finish, glaze them with Tapatio.
1 Tbsp. Sriracha = 1 Tbsp. Tapatio
#10. Ketchup
When all other options are exhausted, ketchup can be the last resort. Ketchup’s sweetness and viscosity are perfect for all types of food. Ketchup isn’t the only condiment that has risen to the top of the food list.
Ketchup can be used as a substitute for Sriracha, but it will not provide enough heat. This can be easily fixed by adding dried chili flakes to the ketchup.
1 Tbsp. Ketchup = 1 TBSP Sriracha