Substitute for Sriracha
A thick, garlicky hot chili sauce. Used on eggs, noodles, pizza, and in Asian-inspired dishes.
The Best Substitute
The Professor's top pick for replacing sriracha is Sambal Oelek at a ratio of 1 tablespoon sambal oelek = 1 tablespoon sriracha. This works well for stir fries, marinades, noodles, dipping sauces. There are 2 total substitutes listed below, each suited for different situations. Scroll down for complete details on every option, including what to use each one for and what to avoid.
Best Substitutes
Sambal Oelek
Flavor impact: Pure chili paste without the garlic and sugar of sriracha. Hotter and less sweet. Add a pinch of garlic and sugar to get closer.
Dairy-freeHot Sauce + Garlic
Flavor impact: Thinner and more vinegary than sriracha. Adding garlic and sugar bridges the gap.
Dairy-free
Sambal oelek is made by the same company (Huy Fong) and is the closest relative. It is sriracha's raw, unprocessed cousin: pure chili and garlic without the smoothness and sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Climate conditions affected chili pepper harvests in 2022-2023, causing production shortages at Huy Fong Foods. Supply has since recovered in most areas.
The Bottom Line
If you are out of sriracha, the best all-around substitute is sambal oelek. Pay attention to the ratio, since substitutes rarely work at exactly 1:1. Consider what role sriracha plays in your recipe; whether it provides flavor, texture, acidity, or structure; and choose the substitute that best fills that specific role. When in doubt, start with less and adjust to taste.
Source: Culinary reference | Last verified: March 19, 2026 | Our methodology