13 Spicy Swaps: Finding Your Perfect Sriracha Alternative

Sriracha sauce is beloved for its fiery kick and garlicky sweetness, elevating everything from noodles to sandwiches.

If you’re out of sriracha, hot chili garlic sauce, sambal oelek, or even spicy ketchup can mimic its bold character.

Each alternative varies in heat and texture, so adjusting quantity ensures the right balance.

This list of thirteen sriracha substitutes offers flavorful options that keep your meals exciting and vibrant.

Modifying sweetness and spice levels allows you to preserve the dish’s signature punch.

Use these alternatives in marinades, dips, or dressings for authentic boldness.

Keep your cooking lively with smart sriracha replacements.

What is Sriracha?

Sriracha is a spicy chili sauce that began in the Thai coastal town of Si Racha in the 1930s, where a homemade recipe of chilies, garlic, sugar, salt, and vinegar quickly became a regional favorite.

It later gained global fame, especially in the U.S., when a fiery version made from jalapeños, garlic, sugar, and vinegar was bottled with a rooster logo and became known as “rooster sauce.”

What makes Sriracha so loved is its playful mix of bright heat, garlicky punch, balanced sweetness, and tangy vinegar notes; all packed into a smooth, bright red sauce.

Reasons to Try Sriracha Substitutes

• Heat preference: Not everyone enjoys the same spice level. Some swaps are milder or hotter to better match your taste.
• Ingredient sensitivity: Sriracha contains garlic, sugar, and vinegar, which may not suit certain diets or allergies.
• Flavor variety: Substitutes offer different spice blends, from smoky to citrusy, giving dishes a new twist.
• Availability issues: If Sriracha is out of stock or hard to find, a quick swap keeps your recipe on track.

What to Replace Sriracha in Recipes

Sriracha replacements keep dishes spicy and tangy with a variety of heat levels and flavor profiles. Different hot sauces and pastes offer exciting choices. Explore the swaps that could add kick to your recipes.

Gochujang Sauce

Gochujang, a traditional Korean paste made from hot peppers, has risen from obscurity to become a mainstream ingredient in many kitchens around the world.

This fiery condiment combines glutinous rice, chili flakes, fermented soybeans, and salt ground together to create a paste that packs significantly more heat than Sriracha.

The thick consistency makes gochujang ideal for cooking, though you can easily modify it into a more versatile sauce with a simple recipe of 5 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.

Sambal Oelek

Sambal oelek, a fiery Indonesian chili paste made from ground peppers, vinegar, and salt, offers an excellent substitute for heat-lovers seeking alternatives to other hot sauces.

Its straightforward spicy tang, typically crafted from Thai chili peppers, delivers intense flavor without the garlic complexity found in Sriracha.

Many cooks prefer this condiment when preparing sauces or during cooking rather than as a finishing touch since its pure heat works beautifully when blended into other ingredients.

The substitution ratio is simple - just use about 3/4 tablespoon of sambal oelek for each tablespoon of Sriracha called for in recipes.

This versatile paste can elevate stir-fries, marinades, and soups with its clean, powerful heat that lets other flavors shine through.

Ketchup + Franks Red Hot Sauce

Ketchup might surprise you as a fantastic sriracha substitute when combined with Frank's Red Hot sauce, creating that perfect balance of sweetness and heat in just the right consistency.

This simple kitchen hack transforms ordinary ketchup from tangy to spicy, making it ideal for anyone who enjoys sriracha's flavor profile but needs an alternative.

The combination works wonderfully in sauces, soups, or as a dipping sauce for your favorite foods without compromising on taste.

For best results, simply mix one tablespoon of ketchup with one teaspoon of Frank's Red Hot sauce to replace each tablespoon of sriracha in your recipe.

Many people already have these ingredients in their pantries, making this an accessible solution when you run out of sriracha unexpectedly.

Peri-peri Sauce

Peri-peri sauce, a Portuguese creation made from peri-peri peppers, offers a delicious alternative to Sriracha despite having its own distinctive flavor profile.

Many people recognize this tangy condiment from the popular restaurant chain Nando's, where it stars in numerous dishes.

The complex blend of citrus, sweet pimiento, pepper, bay leaves, paprika, basil, and tarragon creates depth that works wonderfully for dipping or adding complexity to recipes requiring both flavor and heat.

For those new to peri-peri, Nando's Medium variety provides an ideal starting point since other versions can overwhelm with their intensity.

Substituting is straightforward - just use equal amounts in your recipes by replacing one tablespoon of Sriracha with one tablespoon of peri-peri sauce.

Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce offers an excellent alternative to Sriracha with its balanced blend of chili peppers, rice wine vinegar, and sweetener that delivers spicy flavor without overwhelming heat.

The swap couldn't be easier - just use one tablespoon of sweet chili sauce for every tablespoon of Sriracha called for in your recipe.

For anyone craving more intensity, adding a dash or two of hot sauce can quickly ramp up the spiciness to match your taste preferences.

This versatile condiment brings the same vibrant color and similar consistency to your dishes, making the substitution nearly undetectable in most recipes.

Harissa

Harissa paste is an excellent Sriracha substitute in many recipes due to its fiery chili pepper base combined with garlic and oil.

This North African condiment brings a more complex flavor profile thanks to its blend of spices like cumin, caraway, mint, and coriander, giving dishes a nuttier depth than Sriracha alone.

For home cooks looking to try something new, harissa works wonderfully in soups and marinades where you'd typically use Sriracha, though the taste won't be identical.

The substitution ratio is straightforward – one tablespoon of harissa replaces one tablespoon of Sriracha in most recipes.

Moroccan cuisine has long treasured this versatile paste, and now it's becoming increasingly available in grocery stores worldwide.

Chili Garlic Sauce

Substituting chili garlic sauce for Sriracha works remarkably well since both share similar flavor profiles, though chili garlic sauce has a slightly thicker consistency.

The main difference lies in the absence of jalapeños in chili garlic sauce, which gives Sriracha its distinctive taste and heat level.

Made from simple ingredients including chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt, and sugar, this alternative brings comparable spiciness to your dishes.

The swap ratio is straightforward- just use an equal amount of chili garlic sauce in place of Sriracha in any recipe.

This versatile substitute works wonderfully as a spread on sandwiches, a dipping sauce for appetizers, or a flavor enhancer in soups and marinades.

Chipotle Ketchup

Chipotle ketchup offers an excellent Sriracha alternative, combining sweet tanginess with smoky heat that creates a delicious warmth different from Sriracha's zippy spice.

Making this substitute at home requires just a few ingredients: ketchup, chipotle peppers, jalapeño, adobo sauce, onion, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder.

The preparation couldn't be simpler - blend everything in a food processor until smooth, then simmer over low heat to develop deeper flavors.

This versatile sauce works perfectly as a dip or can replace Sriracha in any recipe using an easy 1:1 substitution ratio.

Many people actually prefer this homemade version because it adds complexity rather than just heat to their favorite dishes.

Chili Oil Crisp

Chili crisp, a flavorful oil infused with chili peppers, provides an excellent alternative to Sriracha with its distinctive crunchy texture.

Most varieties contain a rich blend of crushed fried chilis, fermented soybeans, onions, garlic, MSG, and Sichuan peppercorns that create a complex flavor profile.

Many manufacturers enhance their recipes by adding extra ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, black pepper, or mint to develop unique taste experiences.

The crunchy consistency makes it different from Sriracha's smooth sauce, but it works amazingly as a topping for dishes like hummus where it adds both heat and textural contrast.

For the best results when substituting, simply use half a tablespoon of chili oil crisp in place of each tablespoon of Sriracha called for in your recipe.

Tabasco

Tabasco stands out as one of the most recognized Sriracha substitutes, with a rich history dating back to 1868 on American store shelves.

Many people consider this blend of Tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt as "hipster ketchup" despite its widespread popularity.

The main drawback comes from its thin consistency and tangy profile, which doesn't quite match Sriracha's thicker texture and complex flavor depth.

For certain applications like cocktails or chicken wings, Tabasco delivers the spicy kick you're looking for without compromising the dish.

When making the switch in recipes, a good rule of thumb is to use just 1/4 tablespoon of Tabasco for every tablespoon of Sriracha called for in your recipe.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a fantastic substitute for Sriracha when your hot sauce supply runs dry.

This common household spice delivers plenty of heat without overwhelming your dish with extra flavors, making it perfect for emergency substitutions.

For better results, a small squeeze of lemon or lime juice adds that tangy dimension Sriracha fans love.

Most home cooks find that adding a bit of minced garlic and onion helps round out the flavor profile since cayenne alone lacks those savory notes.

The substitution ratio is straightforward - just replace one tablespoon of Sriracha with a quarter tablespoon of cayenne to maintain the right heat balance in your recipe.

Tapatio

Tapatio stands out as a beloved Mexican-American hot sauce that delivers intense heat and remarkable flavor to countless dishes across the table.

Many food enthusiasts enjoy this fiery condiment as a dip, though its runny texture resembles Tabasco more than thicker sauces.

Spice lovers should note that Tapatio packs significantly more heat than Sriracha, making it perfect for those seeking an extra kick in their meals.

For the best substitution results, start by using half the amount of Tapatio when replacing Sriracha in recipes, then adjust according to your personal heat preference.

This versatile condiment works wonderfully with eggs, tacos, soups, and even as a zesty addition to marinades when you're looking to spice things up.

Homemade Chili Sauce

Making a homemade chili sauce is an excellent substitute for Sriracha when your bottle runs empty.

This DIY alternative allows you to adjust spice levels exactly to your taste, unlike store-bought versions with fixed heat intensities.

Red bell peppers, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, and a touch of maple syrup create the perfect base, while habanero adds that signature kick Sriracha fans crave.

The simple process involves blending these ingredients until smooth, then simmering briefly to mellow the flavors into a harmonious sauce.

Most home cooks already have these pantry staples on hand, making this an accessible option during those last-minute cooking emergencies.

For best results in your recipes, just remember to use half the amount compared to regular Sriracha since homemade versions often pack more concentrated flavor.

Tips for Sriracha Swaps Based on Recipes

Matching the flavor, heat level, and texture to the recipe type helps keep every dish balanced, tasty, and on point; even without the original Sriracha.

Noodles and Stir-Fries

Choose a smooth sauce with balanced heat and a touch of sweetness. A thinner substitute blends easily into sauces and coats noodles without clumping.

Soups and Broths

Use something with a vinegar base and medium spice. A small amount goes a long way, so add gradually and taste as you go.

Egg Dishes

Pick a chili sauce that’s not too overpowering. Something with mild garlic and a creamy or smooth texture keeps it from dominating.

Burgers and Sandwiches

Use a spreadable sauce with a bold kick—something thicker that holds its own without running off the bun.

Mix with mayo or yogurt if needed for a milder, creamy version.

Marinades and Glazes

Go for a thick or sticky substitute with a sweet-savory flavor. Add a bit of soy sauce, honey, or citrus to help balance spice and deepen the flavor.

Storing Sriracha Substitutes Right

• Use a clean, airtight container to prevent air exposure and spoilage.
• Keep it in the fridge after opening, especially if the sauce contains fresh ingredients or has no preservatives.
• Label with the date made or opened so you can track freshness easily.
• Shake or stir before each use since homemade or natural swaps may separate over time.
• Avoid cross-contamination by using a clean spoon each time. Never dip food directly into the jar.
• Watch for signs of spoilage, like odd smells, discoloration, or mold. Remember, when in doubt, toss it out.