12 Best Sriracha Substitutes You Should Know About! 

Are you fed up with using sriracha and want an alternative? Maybe you aren’t a fan of sriracha and want to know if there is a substitute out there you can use?

Or are you curious and want to know more? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you! 

Sriracha is a popular sauce added to recipes to give them a spicy kick. It is made with sugar, salt, garlic, distilled vinegar, and the paste of chili peppers.

12 Best Sriracha Substitutes You Should Know About!

You can find sriracha in most stores or online and you will see lots of recipes calling for the use of sriracha.

But what do you do if you don’t have some sriracha in or you don’t like it? Is there an alternative? 

As it turns out, there are plenty of alternatives to sriracha you can choose from!

And we have the best ones here for you in one easy-to-read list! So what are you waiting for?

Check out the best sriracha substitutes you should know about now and get ready to take your cooking game to the next level! 

Let’s dive in and see what the best substitutes are now!

1. Peri-Peri Sauce

First up, we have the deliciously spicy peri peri sauce!

Made famous by the chain Nandos, Peri Peri sauce is made with peri-peri, part of the Malagueta pepper family invented by the Portuguese in South Africa.

Peri peri has a tangy and spicy flavor that is pretty similar to sriracha, making it a fantastic substitute if you don’t have any in! 

You can purchase peri peri sauce from most stores and online these days, for a reasonable price too, so you never need to worry about it being out of your price range!

You can also purchase per peri as a powder if you prefer and dust it over your vegetables or meat while you cook. 

Peri peri also comes in a few different varieties, allowing you to choose the spice level that suits you.

Typically, the sauce contains pepper, onion, bay leaf, chili, lemon, vinegar, and garlic.

When substituting peri peri for sriracha, use 1 tbsp of peri peri for every 1 tbsp of sriracha the recipe calls for.

2. Dried Cayenne Pepper 

Next, we have the delicious cayenne pepper. The dried pepper works well in most dishes if you don’t have sriracha to hand.

Cayenne pepper is a neutral spice, but don’t worry, it still has a kick!

You can expect it to add some heat to your recipe, without altering the taste of it! 

If you do want the spice to have more tang, then add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you have it.

It will add some tangy taste that will compliment most flavors beautifully.

When adding dried cayenne pepper to your recipe, use ¼ tbsp for every 1 tbsp of sriracha. 

You can purchase dried cayenne pepper ground or whole in most stores or online.

We find it easier to add to dishes as a dried powder, but the chunkiness of a whole pepper will work well in some dishes too!

3. Tabasco 

Tabasco is a popular American brand of hot sauce that you are sure to have lurking in your cupboard or ready to purchase at your nearest grocery store!

Tabasco sauce has a thinner consistency than sriracha but has some of the same ingredients as sriracha like chili peppers and vinegar.

The use of the same ingredients helps to give Tabasco a similar taste to sriracha, making it a wonderful alternative to using! 

Tabasco comes in a few different flavors, so you have plenty of options to choose from.

You can find one that will compliment the flavors in your recipe easily, or you can simply choose any flavor and add some heat to your dish! 

Tabasco is more potent than sriracha, so only use ¼ tbsp of Tabasco for 1 tbsp of sriracha that the recipe calls for.

If you are substituting Tabasco for sriracha used as a dip, add some tomato puree or ketchup to give it a thicker texture.

4. Sambal Oelek 

Sambal Oelek is an Indonesian chili sauce that is almost identical to sriracha!

It is one of the closest substitutes on today’s list, so be sure to give it a try!

The sauce is becoming increasingly popular these days, with it available in most grocery stores and online. 

Sambal Oelek has a thick consistency and great flavor that is sure to add plenty of heat and taste to your recipes!

The only real difference between the two sauces is that Sambal Oelek doesn’t have garlic (see also ‘7 Garlic Substitutes‘).

You can, of course, add some garlic powder or fresh chopped garlic to your recipe or the sauce to make it even more similar to sriracha! 

When using Sambal Oelek in a recipe, use ¾ tbsp of Sambal Oelek for every 1 tbsp of sriracha.

5. Sweet Chili Sauce 

The Asian condiment sweet chili is now hugely popular across the globe, and it makes a fantastic substitute for sriracha!

Typically made with chili peppers, rice wine vinegar, and a sweetening agent.

It might sound as though sweet chili is the opposite of sriracha with its sweet and garlic taste rather than the hot and spicy taste of sriracha. However, they are incredibly similar! 

Sweet chili sauce will increase the spiciness of a dish, without adding too much heat to it.

So if you don’t like your food to be too hot and spicy, then sweet chili sauce is the perfect substitute for you!

It will also give a slight sweetness to the dish and works well in stir fry recipes that call for sriracha. 

You can purchase sweet chili in large bottles as a dipping sauce, and we would use the same amount of sweet chili as you normally would sriracha in a recipe.

6. Louisiana Hot Sauce 

Louisiana hot sauce is a milder version of Tabasco. You don’t need much of this at all to add some spice to your recipe.

The peppery taste is quite similar to sriracha too, making it a fantastic alternative to use! 

Although it is milder than Tabasco, Louisiana hot sauce is very spicy!

So if you don’t like spicy food, make sure you only add a small amount.

You can choose from a few varieties of Louisiana hot sauce, so you can find one that suits the spice level you enjoy!

This hot sauce is still spicier than sriracha though, so it’s a fantastic option for those that enjoy spicy dishes. 

When adding it to your meal, allow ¼ tbsp of Louisiana hot sauce for every tablespoon of sriracha.

7. Korean Hot Pepper Paste 

Korean hot pepper paste or gochujang is a fantastic alternative to sriracha.

If you are looking for an adventurous alternative to sriracha, then this is the one for you!

It can be a little trickier to find Korean hot pepper paste, but it is available in most Asian grocery stores and online! 

The paste is made with glutinous rice, ground red chili pepper flakes (see also ‘The 5 Best Amazing Substitutes For Red Pepper Flakes‘), salt, and fermented soybeans.

As there is no vinegar used, it will taste a little different from sriracha, but by using the paste instead of sriracha, you don’t need to worry about the heat of the dish being impacted! 

You can use 1 tbsp of Korean hot pepper paste for every tablespoon of sriracha that you normally add to your food.

8. Ketchup 

Ketchup is perhaps one of the easiest alternatives to use for sriracha!

The sweetness of tomato ketchup makes it a fine addition to most dishes, and it won’t impact the taste of your dish!

And the best part is, you can always find some ketchup!

It is lurking in most of our refrigerators and cupboards and is available in almost every grocery store should you run out! 

The downside to using ketchup instead of sriracha is that you won’t have the same spice level at all.

Ketchup is quite a milk, and isn’t going to replicate the spiciness of sriracha.

However, you can sprinkle some chili powder (see also ‘5 Chili Powder Substitutes‘) or crushed chili flakes to the ketchup or your dish to add some spice!

Often, this will help create a similar taste to sriracha, and it won’t take you two seconds to do! 

For every tablespoon of sriracha required, swap it out for a tablespoon of tomato ketchup, and remember to add as much or as little chili as you want to create the spice level that suits you!

9. Tapatio

Tapatio is a widely popular Mexican-American hot sauce.

The sauce is stronger than peppers but works well as a substitute for sriracha.

Tapatio will add plenty of heat and spice to your dish, more than sriracha will!

So if you are looking for a spicy alternative, then this is the sauce for you! 

It works well added to recipes or used alone as a dipping sauce for any crackers, chips, or spring rolls you might want to add flavor to.

We think Tapatio is wonderful when used as a glaze on meat and vegetables.

It will add a smoky taste to your meat and vegetables that you don’t get with sriracha! 

When using Tapatio, swap out 1 tbsp of sriracha for 1 tbsp of Tapatio, just be mindful that it is spicier than sriracha!

10. Chipotle

Chipotle can be purchased as a sauce or a dried powder and added to your dishes instead of sriracha.

Chipotle is made with chipotle peppers, a variety of red jalapenos that help to give it a consistency similar to ketchup.

Whether you want to add it to a sauce or use it as a dipping sauce, it is sure to work for you! 

Chipotle offers a sweet taste at the start, but it’s aftertaste leaves you with some heat!

You can expect some smoky heat that is quite different from sriracha, but it works well as an alternative.

If you want to add some extra heat to a dish, then use chipotle! 

You can also add some extra chili flakes to the dish or the sauce to add even more spice!

We only recommend adding the chili flakes if you like spicy food, otherwise, it might be too much for you! 

For every tablespoon of sriracha sauce, use a tablespoon of chipotle for a spicy taste that is full of flavor!

11. Chili Flakes 

If you don’t want to add any more sauce to your dish, then why not use some chili flakes?

Crushed chili flakes will bring plenty of spice and heat to your dish, without impacting its consistency.

Sometimes adding sriracha can make the sauce we are making too runny, but the dried or crushed chili flakes will never do that! 

Chili flakes can be pretty hot, and leave you with a tingling tongue or lips, so if you don’t like it too spicy, make sure that you don’t add many flakes!

They can be hotter than adding sriracha, so try and use half a tablespoon of chili flakes for every tablespoon of sriracha in your recipe. 

And don’t worry if you forget to add some spice to your dish!

You can sprinkle some chili flakes on your dish just before serving.

They will add a lovely texture to your meal, and some spice and heat.

12. Chili Garlic Hot Sauce 

Finally, we have chili garlic hot sauce, which is a brilliant substitute for sriracha.

The condiment is popular in Japanese and Thai cuisines and is similar to sriracha.

There are a few differences though. Chili garlic hot sauce is thicker than sriracha and has a chunkier texture, thanks to the chilies and garlic in it! 

There is a lot more chili and garlic in this sauce than sriracha, so you can expect more flavor!

It is also a little brighter, adding plenty of exciting color to your dish!

It works well added to recipes instead of sriracha, or as a dipping sauce. 

We would recommend swapping one tablespoon of sriracha for a tablespoon of chili garlic hot sauce, just be mindful that it might be spicier for you than sriracha usually is!

If you do find it spicy, add half a tablespoon of the sauce instead. There is no point in burning your mouth, is there? 

What we love about this sauce too is how well it lasts in your refrigerator!

You won’t need to worry about it going bad, just keep the lid tightly on and it will last for months without going bad. 

Final Thoughts 

And there you have it, twelve fantastic sriracha substitutes we are sure you will love!

Whether you want something milder, spicier, sweeter, or thicker than sriracha, we have an option for you!

Not only can you add these to any sauces you are making, but they can be used as a dipping sauce if you wish!

For dry substitutes, you can use them mixed with ketchup or soy sweet chili sauce for a unique dipping sauce, or simply sprinkle them into any sauce you enjoy! 

Make sure you follow our tips carefully to see what quantity you need to use when substituting sriracha with any of our options.

Don’t forget to tailor the spiciness of the dish to your tastes, if you want to add more or less heat, then do it!

After all, food is meant to be enjoyed so why not make it to the right heat for you? 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Before you leave us today, be sure to check out our FAQ section to get your last-minute questions answered.  

What Is Sriracha?

Sriracha is a traditional Southeast Asian sauce made with vinegar, salt, garlic, sugar, and chili peppers.

It has a unique flavor that is full of sweetness, tang, and spicy heat.

It is typically used as a dipping sauce in Asian dishes or added to stir fries and other sauces to add some heat and flavor. 

In recent years sriracha has become increasingly popular.

It is now available in most grocery stores and online, so you are never far away from a bottle of sriracha!

It also features in many dishes in restaurants now, used in sauces or drizzled on top to provide some heat and flavor to the dish. 

How Should I Store Sriracha? 

Unopened bottles of sriracha should be stored in a cool and dark place, like your pantry or kitchen cupboard.

Make sure that it is kept away from any heat sources or direct sunlight to increase its longevity. 

Once you have opened a bottle of sriracha, place it in the refrigerator.

This will help to keep the sauce fresh and prevent it from going bad.

By keeping it in the refrigerator, you can extend the shelf life of your sauce by as much as two years! 

You don’t need to place it in the refrigerator though if you don’t have the space.

It can be kept open in your cupboard for around six months and it will still be safe to eat!

Make sure you check the expiration date on the bottle though, as you don’t want to be eating any out-of-date sriracha! 

How Can I Tell If My Sriracha Has Gone Bad?

If your sriracha has gone bad, usually its color will change.

The bright red sauce will become darker and dull, indicating that it has gone bad.

Do not eat sriracha sauce that has changed color. Not only will it taste bad, but it could make you ill, so make sure to throw it away and purchase a new bottle. 

You should also check the expiration date on the bottle of sriracha.

If your sriracha has passed its expiration date, then make sure you throw it away and purchase a new bottle.

Even if it is unopened, we don’t think it is worth the risk!  

Can I Use Hot Sauce Instead Of Siracha? 

Yes, you can use hot sauce instead of sriracha! It is worth noting that hot sauce will have different flavors to sriracha, so using it could impact the taste of your dish.

The hot sauce tends to have a higher acid level, but less heat. It’s a good option if you don’t want your dish to be as spicy. 

Sriracha tends to be thicker, spicier, and will have more garlic.

If you are in a pinch, you can use hot sauce instead of sriracha, but given how different they are, we think it is better to use one of our 12 options listed earlier.

They are better alternatives that will offer a closer taste to sriracha than hot sauce. 

What Is Hotter Sriracha Or Tabasco?

Tabasco is slightly hotter than sriracha! There isn’t much of a difference, as both sauces use chilies, but if you want something to be hotter, then you can use Tabasco instead of sriracha. 

In terms of the Scoville scale (how we measure heat), there is very little difference between the two sauces!

Sriracha sits on the scale with a rating of 2,200 SHU, whereas Tabasco has a score of 2,500 to 5,000.

As you can see, there isn’t too much of a difference, but Tabasco does take the edge and is the hotter sauce. 

If you still want to enjoy some heat, but also flavors of garlic and peppers, then we recommend you use sriracha instead.

It will have a kick to it, but you can also enjoy other flavors that you wouldn’t necessarily get with Tabasco!

12 Best Sriracha Substitutes You Should Know About! 

12 Best Sriracha Substitutes You Should Know About! 

Recipe by Jenna

Are you looking for a sriracha substitute? Then check out our article for the best sriracha substitutes you need to know about!

Course: Side Dishes
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • Peri-Peri Sauce

  • Dried Cayenne Pepper

  • Tabasco

  • Sambal Oelek

  • Sweet Chili Sauce

  • Louisiana Hot Sauce

  • Korean Hot Pepper Paste

  • Ketchup

  • Tapatio

  • Chipotle

  • Chili Flakes

  • Chili Garlic Hot Sauce

Directions

  • Decided on what substitute you need
  • Pick a substitute from the list above
  • Read what you need to substitute with
  • Create the recipe and enjoy

Recipe Video

Jenna
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