11 Sriracha Alternatives You Need If Faced With A Shortage Again
Sriracha fans, did your fridge door look a little bare during the Huy Fong sauce shortage? The lack of the iconic, green-nozzled rooster bottle left all of us hot sauce lovers feeling a little lost — but it also opened our eyes to how many other options were out there. Whether it's another shortage you're worried about or if you're facing an empty bottle and craving a flavor shift, the global condiment king's competition has gotten mighty fierce in recent years.
While Huy Fong's sriracha continues to be a beloved staple, a world of complex flavor awaits beyond the tall red bottle. Whether you hunger for a smoky chipotle kick, a sweeter mango twist, or a more traditional Thai experience, there's a sriracha alternative out there waiting to tantalize your taste buds. The delicious world of sriracha substitutes is full of options that range from close flavor cousins to exciting flavor adventures — some are nearly exact dupes while others will shake you out of your everyday musts and introduce you to a new favorite. It's time to expand your condiment collection — just in case, you know, your go-to sriracha goes missing from store shelves.
Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha Hot Sauce
Venturing beyond the one-note fiery routine, Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha might just be your new fridge staple. This sauce takes the familiar fiery appeal of sriracha and infuses it with the deep, savory soul of Korean gochujang chili paste. This unique blend creates a complex and addictive condiment that's more than just heat — the magic lies in the balance. The sweetness and tang of sriracha mingles with the fermented complexity of gochujang, creating a flavor profile that's both sweet and spicy with a hint of smokiness. A super versatile option, Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha goes beyond the usual sriracha applications, adding a welcome kick to everything from breakfast sandwiches and eggs to tacos and noodle bowls.
Be warned, though: This sauce can pack a punch! While not the hottest on the market, the gochujang adds a slow-burning heat that sneaks up on you. It's a pleasant surprise for spice enthusiasts and a manageable warmth for those who enjoy a kick without setting their taste buds on fire.
Peri Peri Sauce
A symphony of flavors that tantalizes taste buds with its unique blend of heat, tang, and a touch of citrus, this vibrant sauce hails from Africa and Portugal, where the peri peri (or piri piri) chilis are indigenous. Alongside it's fascinating culinary history, the magic of peri peri lies in its versatility. The African Bird's Eye chilies used in the sauce pack a punch, up to 175,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) — hotter than a jalapeño but cooler than a habanero. But peri peri isn't just about the heat. The heat of the chilies is balanced with a vibrant mix of citrusy lemon, smoky garlic, and savory herbs like oregano. It's tangy, smoky, and deeply flavorful.
Peri peri sauce isn't relegated to just spicing up your plate once it's done cooking, either. It's a marinade maestro, infusing chicken, fish, and veggies with its signature flavors, and the vibrant red hue adds a touch of color to any dish. Whether you drizzle it on grilled meats, use it as a dipping sauce, or marinate your tofu with it, peri peri sauce is most definitely worth a try.
Harissa Paste
Unlike the in-your-face heat of some chili pastes, harissa paste is a smoothly fiery and complicated condiment from North Africa that tickles taste buds without overwhelming them. The heart of harissa lies in the liberal use of fiery chilis, typically birds-eye or baklouti, but the real magic is in the supporting flavors. Roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes add sweetness and smokiness, while caraway seeds, coriander, and cumin lend warmth and earthy depth. Balanced with garlic and a squeeze of lemon, harissa offers a flavor bomb that's more than just heat — it's smoky, tangy, and deeply savory.
This complexity also makes harissa incredibly versatile. Spread it on sandwiches, dollop it on couscous, or stir it into stews and soups for a touch of North African warmth. Harissa even shines as a marinade. There are plenty of tasty store-bought versions on the market or (if you're feeling particularly ambitious) you can make it at home yourself with a handful of ingredients.
Lee Kum Kee Chilli Oil
A simple ingredient with endless possibilities, chili oil is another option that you can either purchase for ease or concoct yourself. It's a simple condiment with a rich heritage, and Lee Kum Kee offers a balanced experience in their tried and treasured version.
The secret lies in the selection of ingredients. Lee Kum Kee uses high-quality chili peppers, carefully chosen for their vibrant red color and robust, slightly smoky flavor. These aren't eye-watering chilies either. Their gentle heat is balanced with fragrant sesame oil, adding a nutty depth and a touch of sweetness. A drizzle on dumplings or noodles adds a pop of color and touch of warmth. It is easily added to soups and stews for a gentle heat and savory complexity. Even a stir-fry gets a flavor boost with a spoonful of this chili oil, the heat awakening the other ingredients without masking their flavors. Chili oil isn't about fiery dominance, but rather about enhancing flavors. It's a kitchen essential that adds a touch of something extra to countless dishes.
Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp
Want to go a step further than your standard chili oil? A textural symphony with a spicy finale, Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp is a flavor explosion inspired by the fiery cuisine of China's Sichuan province. Forget one-dimensional heat — this condiment is a party in your mouth, a combination of tastes and textures that will delight your senses.
The magic lies in the crunchy foundation. Unlike smooth hot sauces, Fly by Jing boasts a generous helping of fried shallots, peanuts, and soybeans. These crispy bits add an addictive textural contrast to the chili oil base, but the real stars are the Sichuan peppercorns. These unique spices deliver a tingling sensation on the lips and tongue, a mouthwatering numbness that complements the fiery heat of the chilies. The heat itself is no joke. Sichuan chilies are known for their potency, but Fly by Jing avoids overwhelming burn. Instead, the heat builds gradually, leaving a warmth that lingers. A touch of fermented black beans adds a savory element, rounding out the overall flavor.
A topping masterpiece, chili crisp transforms everything from noodles and dumplings to eggs and roasted vegetables. The crunchy bits add texture while the chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns deliver a flavor bomb unlike any other. Feeling adventurous? Chili crisp is one of those things you can make on your own.
Fly By Jing Zhong Sauce
If you already know you like chili crisp, here's another tasty treat for you. Fly By Jing's Zhong Sauce is a complex and fiery condiment that builds upon the legacy of their popular Sichuan Chili Crisp, offering a deeper, richer flavor profile for the adventurous eater.
Unlike the textural explosion of the Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce takes a smoother approach. Think of it as a chili oil on steroids. It's crafted with a base of rich, toasted sesame oil infused with copious amounts of Sichuan chilies, and the result is a rich and potent sauce. Sichuan peppercorns deliver a tingling sensation on the lips and tongue, and fermented black beans add a layer of savoriness.
Zhong Sauce is a dipping sauce extraordinaire, bringing a fiery kick to dumplings, noodles, and even spring rolls. Drizzle this on grilled meats or seafood, or add a spoonful to soups and stews.
Melinda's Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Okay, as a huge fan of everything Melinda's touches, I may be a little biased, but Melinda's Thai Sweet Chili Sauce offers a delightful dance between sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy. Inspired by Thailand's culinary traditions, it's a major crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of something extra to any dish. While some sweet chili sauces veer toward cloyingly sugary, Melinda's strikes a perfect harmony. Red chilies bring the heat, but it's more of a pleasant tingle than a blowtorch. Next up is a subtle wave of sweetness thanks to ripe red peppers and a touch of sugar. A hint of tangy lime juice cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing brightness.
The sweet and spicy complexity makes this sauce a dipping superstar, great for everything from spring rolls and dumplings to chicken wings and even crudité. Brush it on grilled meats or tofu for a little sweet heat, or use it as a stir-fry sauce for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Heartbeat Hot Sauces
Heartbeat Hot Sauces are a celebration of handcrafted, small-batch production, where fresh, all-natural ingredients and bold flavors take center stage. From fiery habaneros to unexpected flavor twists, Heartbeat offers a unique hot sauce experience for every palate. Heartbeat sources their chilies with care, ensuring maximum flavor and freshness, and they avoid all fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavors, letting the natural heat and taste of the chilies shine through.
Heartbeat's core lineup features classics like Red Habanero, a sauce with a balanced kick, and Pineapple Habanero, a tropical twist on heat with a bit of sweetness. More adventurous options include their Scorpion Sauce, packing a serious punch for chili heads, and the Blueberry Habanero, a surprising blend of sweet and spicy that will challenge your taste bud expectations. A favorite among hot sauce enthusiasts, Heartbeat's small-batch approach allows them to experiment with unique flavor combinations and ensure quality control in every bottle.
Lingham's Sriracha Hot Sauce
The original rooster with a flavorful punch, Lingham's Sriracha is a major contender in the world of hot sauces. This is the sauce that ignited the sriracha craze in the West. The recipe is a cherished family secret passed down for generations, using a blend of red jalapeño peppers, carefully aged to develop a richer flavor, combining with garlic, sugar, salt, and distilled vinegar. This classic combination creates a sauce that has a pleasant garlicky kick, a touch of sweetness to round things out, and a subtle tang that cuts through the richness. But don't worry — there's still plenty of heat.
Lingham's is perfect as a dipping sauce (try it with pan-fried dumplings!), but a dollop adds a flavorful kick to soups, stews, and stir-fries. Lather it on eggs for a morning wake-up call, or drizzle it over noodles for a quick and spicy lunch.
Trader Joe's Sriracha Sauce
A budget-friendly sriracha superstar Trader Joe's Sriracha Sauce is not your average store-brand knock-off. It's a cult favorite, offering a delicious and affordable alternative to pricier brands. While it might not boast the heritage of Lingham's, Trader Joe's Sriracha delivers a bold flavor profile that punches above its weight class. Carefully sourced chilies ensure a vibrant red color and a good level of heat, but the recipe focuses on the core sriracha experience — a blend of red jalapeño peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt. This familiar combination delivers a balanced flavor profile with a kick that's noticeable but not overwhelming.
While some budget srirachas skimp on ingredients, Trader Joe's gets it right. The garlicky notes are present, the touch of sweetness rounds out the heat, and the vinegar adds a pleasant tang. At just $4, though, the real star power of Trader Joe's Sriracha lies in its value. Budget-conscious spice lovers can stock their pantries without breaking the bank.
Sky Valley Sriracha
Sky Valley Sriracha sheds the mass-produced mold, opting for small-batch production and a unique flavor profile that caters to the adventurous palate. This isn't a one-note fiery experience; Sky Valley Sriracha has a smoky depth and a touch of sweetness, making it a condiment connoisseur favorite. Sky Valley caters to the adventurous foodie who craves more than the typical sauce experience, and the use of natural ingredients make it a standout brand that still packs in a ton of flavor and versatility.
What truly sets Sky Valley apart is the use of red jalapeño peppers. These fire-roasted jalapeños add a smoky layer of complexity that's absent in most sriracha brands. It's more than just a dipping sauce for dumplings or spring rolls. The smoky notes make it a perfect partner for grilled meats and veggies, adding a depth that goes beyond the expected sriracha kick.