15 Sriracha Alternative and Substitutes for Shortage in 2023
A worldwide sriracha shortage is taking over, leaving people who are obsessed with all things spicy wondering where to get their spice kick. Fortunately, sriracha isn’t the only spicy hot sauce you’ll find on the market. There are plenty of great brands who can bring the heat to your favorite dish. And many unique hot sauce types you can try out to discover a brand new staple to your meal time prep. In this article, we’re going to share 15 sriracha alternatives and substitutes you can try out during the sriracha shortage of 2023. So, let’s spice things up!
15 Sriracha Alternative and Substitutes for Shortage in 2023
1. Chili Crisp Sauce
Similar to a chili oil, chili crisp sauce is a spicy sauce that originates from Chinese cuisine that’s packed with fried chilis and oil to add some crunchy flavor to your noodles, meat, vegetables, or even ice cream. While once popularized by traditional Chinese cuisine, the popularity of chili crisp has broadened around the world thanks to TikTok and social media in general. You can pour sauce into your lunch-time sandwich or drizzle some on top of your favorite Mac and Cheese dish. If you’re desperate for a spicy kick with a hint of a nutty flavor during this sriracha shortage, you can try Super Magic Taste’s chili crisp sauce as a sriracha alternative.
2. Peri Peri Sauce
Peri Peri sauce is a South African hot sauce created by Portuguese settlers who wanted to turn up the heat on their dishes. It’s a common chili pepper sauce that people use as a marinade or seasoning. People will typically pour it on top of rotisserie chicken, rice, or vegetables to kick up the flavor palette. If you’re looking for something to dip chicken nuggets in, peri peri sauce could be a great option for you.
3. Red Sauce (tabasco)
The classic red sauce contains peppers, salt, and vinegar to bring you a delicious and mouth burning flavor that excites your taste buds. Tabasco sauce can be considered a worthy sriracha alternative, offering a unique and flavorful twist to spice enthusiasts. While sriracha boasts a vibrant combination of chili peppers, garlic, sugar, and vinegar, tabasco delivers a distinct heat derived from its signature ingredient, the fiery tabasco pepper. This bold pepper-forward profile is complemented by a tangy vinegar base, creating a zesty and invigorating taste experience. Tabasco's smooth and liquid consistency makes it easy to drizzle onto various dishes, adding a fiery kick that elevates everything from eggs and pizza to noodles and soups. For those seeking an alternative to the classic sriracha flavor, tabasco sauce delivers a satisfying punch that ignites the taste buds with its spicy charm.
4. Sweet Chili Sauce
Sweet chili sauce serves as an amazing sriracha substitute, offering a delightful contrast to the classic hot sauce's spiciness. With its perfect blend of sweetness and heat, sweet chili sauce provides a more balanced and milder flavor profile. Made from a combination of red chili peppers, sugar, garlic, and vinegar, it delivers a tantalizing medley of sweet and tangy notes that can appeal to a wider range of palates. This versatile condiment complements an array of dishes, adding a touch of savoriness and complexity without overwhelming the taste buds with excessive heat. Whether used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, a glaze for grilled meats, or a marinade for stir-fry dishes, sweet chili sauce proves to be an exceptional sriracha alternative that satisfies both spice lovers and those seeking a more tempered yet equally enjoyable culinary experience.
5. Barbeque Sauce
In the midst of a sriracha shortage, barbeque sauce emerges as a delectable alternative, stepping up to fill the void with its own distinct and rich flavors. While it may not replicate the exact spiciness of sriracha, barbeque sauce offers a remarkable depth of taste with its smoky, sweet, and tangy notes. The combination of molasses, vinegar, tomatoes, and a medley of spices delivers a complex taste that complements a wide range of dishes. Whether slathered on grilled meats, used as a dipping sauce, or even drizzled over vegetables, barbeque sauce lends a delightful twist to culinary creations, presenting a flavorful and satisfying substitute during the sriracha scarcity.
6. Dried Chili Flakes
Dried chili flakes prove to be an effective sriracha substitute, providing an easy way to infuse dishes with the desired level of spiciness. Made from crushed and dried chili peppers, these versatile flakes offer a concentrated burst of heat that can be tailored to individual preferences. While lacking the same saucy consistency as sriracha, dried chili flakes make up for it with their intense and authentic chili flavor. Sprinkled over pizzas, pasta, soups, and stir-fries, they elevate the taste profile, adding a fiery kick to any dish. With their long shelf life and convenience, dried chili flakes stand as a reliable alternative during sriracha shortages, giving spice enthusiasts the freedom to customize their heat levels to perfection.
7. Ketchup
Ketchup, surprisingly, can be considered a makeshift sriracha alternative, albeit offering a notably different flavor experience. While it lacks the traditional spiciness of sriracha, ketchup's tangy and sweet profile brings its own unique charm to the table. Its combination of ripe tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and a hint of spice adds a mild and pleasant zing to various dishes. Although not as fiery as sriracha, ketchup's versatility allows it to act as a delightful dipping sauce or a condiment to complement a wide range of dishes, from burgers and fries to eggs and meatloaf. In a pinch or during sriracha shortages, ketchup can provide a surprisingly satisfying and readily available substitute, showcasing that even the most unexpected ingredients can step up to add their own delightful twist to culinary creations.
8. Chili Paste
Chili paste emerges as a superb sriracha alternative, offering a concentrated and bold chili flavor that resonates with spice enthusiasts. Made from ground chili peppers and typically blended with garlic, vinegar, and sometimes other spices, chili paste brings a fiery intensity that closely rivals sriracha's heat. While it may lack some of the sweetness found in sriracha, its rich and robust taste makes it an ideal substitute in many dishes. Whether used as a marinade, stir-fry sauce, or dipping condiment, chili paste delivers a powerful punch that elevates the flavors of various cuisines. Its thick and luscious consistency allows it to cling to food, ensuring a full-bodied chili experience. For those seeking a more potent and authentic chili kick during sriracha shortages or simply for a change of pace, chili paste proves to be a tantalizing and satisfying alternative.
9. Gochujang Sriracha
Gochujang Sriracha presents itself as an exciting and enticing sriracha alternative, merging the best of both worlds to create a distinct and flavorful condiment. Combining the Korean chili paste, gochujang, with the tangy and spicy elements of traditional sriracha, this fusion sauce offers a harmonious balance of sweet, spicy, and savory notes. The fermented red chili base of gochujang provides a depth of umami and complexity, while the addition of vinegar and garlic infuses it with the characteristic tang of sriracha. The result is a tantalizing concoction that delivers a unique and robust taste, perfect for marinating meats, spicing up stir-fries, or enhancing the flavor of noodles and rice dishes. Gochujang Sriracha's versatility and distinctive profile make it an excellent choice for those seeking an alternative that celebrates the best of both Asian culinary worlds.
10. Chipotle Sauce
Chipotle sauce serves as an excellent sriracha substitute, offering a smoky and spicy flavor profile that adds a delightful twist to various dishes. Made from chipotle peppers, which are smoke-dried jalapeños, this sauce delivers a unique depth of taste and a moderate level of heat. Its smokiness sets it apart from traditional sriracha, providing a more complex and earthy flavor. The combination of chipotle peppers, vinegar, spices, and sometimes a touch of sweetness creates a versatile condiment that can be used as a marinade for grilled meats, a zesty topping for tacos and burgers, or a spicy kick to soups and stews. For those seeking an alternative with a distinctive and smoldering heat, chipotle sauce proves to be a delicious and flavorful substitute during sriracha shortages or for those looking to experiment with bold new flavors.
11. Louisiana-style Hot Sauce
When the fiery allure of sriracha meets the unmistakable Louisiana zest, a whole new world of hot sauce magic unfolds with Louisiana-style hot sauce, the sizzling sriracha alternative you never knew you needed! Bursting with the bold flavors of aged cayenne peppers, vinegar tang, and just the right hint of spices, this zesty elixir brings a unique Southern charm to your taste buds. Like a jazz symphony of heat and flavor, Louisiana-style hot sauce's versatility knows no bounds. From jazzing up fried chicken to giving gumbo that extra kick, it effortlessly transforms mundane meals into a captivating culinary adventure. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for that trusty sriracha, take a detour down the flavorful streets of Louisiana-style hot sauce, where spice and zest dance in perfect harmony, leaving you craving more of that delightful Southern sizzle!
12. Fresh chili
Fresh chili, nature's fiery gem, presents itself as a tantalizing sriracha alternative that ignites a thrilling explosion of heat and flavor. Packed with the vibrant essence of raw chili peppers, this unadulterated condiment delivers a dynamic punch to any dish. Whether it's the piquant serrano, the sizzling habanero, or the classic Thai bird's eye chili, each variety offers a distinctive intensity that caters to diverse taste preferences. Embracing the essence of freshness, this alternative celebrates the authentic essence of chili, allowing the true essence of the pepper to shine through. From creating homemade sriracha-style sauces to infusing soups, stews, and salsas with an unmatched heat, fresh chili gives you the power to customize your spice levels, making it an exciting and rewarding culinary journey for spice enthusiasts seeking a natural and unfiltered sriracha experience.
13. Red pepper sauce
Red pepper sauce emerges as a worthy sriracha substitute, delivering a delightful burst of heat and flavor that captivates the taste buds. Crafted from ripe and fiery red peppers, this sauce exudes a vibrant red hue that signals its intensity. With a harmonious balance of spiciness and tanginess, red pepper sauce embodies the essence of sriracha's allure. Its smooth texture allows for easy drizzling or dipping, making it a versatile addition to a myriad of dishes. Whether glazed over grilled meats, stirred into stir-fries, or simply paired with your favorite snacks, red pepper sauce elevates every culinary creation with its sizzling heat and zestful appeal. An excellent alternative during sriracha shortages or for those seeking a slightly different flavor adventure, red pepper sauce proves that heat is best served in a captivating crimson hue.
14. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper stands tall as an exceptional sriracha alternative, embodying a fiery spirit that promises to awaken the senses. This piquant spice, made from dried and ground cayenne chili peppers, delivers a searing heat that rivals the zesty allure of sriracha. With its intense flavor and versatile application, cayenne pepper becomes a go-to ingredient for those seeking a burst of heat in their dishes. Whether sprinkled into sauces, rubs, or sprinkled over meals, this potent spice infuses a tantalizing warmth that elevates the flavors to new heights. Cayenne pepper's versatility allows for easy customization of heat levels, catering to individual preferences and dishes alike. So, when the craving for sriracha hits, look no further than the bold and passionate embrace of cayenne pepper, turning every meal into a blazingly delicious culinary adventure.
15. Peanut sauce
Peanut sauce emerges as an amazing sriracha alternative, offering a delectable and unique flavor profile that tantalizes the taste buds in a whole new way. Combining the rich creaminess of peanuts with the perfect blend of savory and sweet, peanut sauce creates a harmonious balance that entices and delights. While it may lack the intense spiciness of sriracha, its distinct nutty undertones and smooth texture make it an inviting addition to a wide range of dishes. Whether drizzled over noodles, used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, or slathered on grilled meats, peanut sauce brings an irresistible richness that elevates any culinary creation. Its versatility and mellow heat allow it to cater to a broader audience, making it a fantastic alternative for those seeking a more rounded and indulgent flavor experience. For a taste adventure that celebrates the art of balance and satisfies the craving for something delightfully different, peanut sauce proves to be an exceptional sriracha alternative that leaves a lasting impression on the palate.