What Is Sriracha?

Sriracha sauce has become super popular recently but exactly what is sriracha? And how do you use it? Get the answer to these questions and more below, plus 15 easy recipes with sriracha you have to try!

What is Sriracha?

If you’ve ever wondered, what is sriracha?, you’re not alone! It’s become super popular in recent years but many people aren’t sure exactly what it is!

Sriracha is a hot sauce that originated in Southeast Asia. It’s mildly spicy, usually with garlic undertones, and has a thick, dippable consistency.

It’s become popular in recent years in the US, particularly the one made by Huy Fong Foods in California. The red sauce in the bottle with the rooster has become the image most in North America associate with the term “sriracha sauce” but it’s important to note that sriracha is a general term, just like ketchup.

The wonderful thing about sriracha is that it can be added to pretty much anything. Sriracha mayo has become a popular condiment recently but it’s a great way to add some heat and flavor to pretty much any dish, as you’ll see below in the sriracha recipes section.

Is Sriracha Spicy?

Sriracha is spicy but not TOO spicy. Think hotter than Frank’s Redhot but not as hot as Tabasco. The spice level will also depend on the brand, as they all have slightly different recipes and ingredients used.

Huy Fong Foods, for example, tends to be sweeter with a stronger garlic flavor, while other brands that are made in Southeast Asia, such as Polar from Thailand, are hotter.

What’s It Made Of?

Now that you know the answer to what is sriracha, you may be wondering what, exactly, is sriracha made of? Well, it’s impossible to know all of the exact ingredients as each company that produces it keeps their recipe a secret but the general ingredients you can expect to find include:

• Chiles
• Sugar
• Salt
• Garlic Vinegar

and a few preservatives to keep it fresh and shelf-stable.

The chiles used are typically red jalapenos, which create the vibrant red color, and unlike other hot sauces, the chiles are not dried but sun-ripened instead.

Is There a Sriracha Shortage?

Sort of! Specifically, there’s a shortage of Huy Fong Foods’ sriracha. The shortage is due to last year’s drought in Mexico, where the peppers used in the sriracha sauce are sourced. They had to shut down production for a short period in 2022 and though production has resumed, they are still facing supply shortages.

Other brands of sriracha, in particular those produced in other countries, have not reported a shortage. And you can still find Huy Fong Foods sriracha sauce on the shelves, just perhaps not all the time.

Sriracha Substitute

If you CAN’T find sriracha sauce on the shelves, here are a few possible substitutes.

• Tabasco. The classic hot sauce is a bit spicier than sriracha and much thinner but if you’re using it to add flavor to a dish and not as a dip, Tabasco is an easy sriracha substitute.
• Polar Sriracha Chili Sauce. This is technically a sriracha sauce but not as commonly known as some brands. It’s a good place to start if you can’t find your go-to and can easily be ordered online.
• Sweet Thai Chili Sauce. Thai chili sauce is a bit sweeter than sriracha and made with different peppers, but it still adds a bit of heat to recipes and has the same dippable consistency.
• Peri Peri Sauce. Full warning – Peri Peri sauce is a LOT spicier than sriracha, so start with small amounts. It’s another popular hot sauce, made with bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, and lemon juice. It will definitely spice up whatever dish you’re making!

Common Questions

Besides “what is sriracha?”, here are the answers to some common questions about the hot sauce!

15 Easy Recipes with Sriracha You Have to Try