Facing the annual Sriracha shortage? Panic no more! We’ve taste-tested some contenders that might help us survive the shortage.
Continue reading on or feel free to watch the review by clicking the video below!
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12 Sriracha Replacements
Does All Sriracha Sauce Taste the Same?
No, not all sriracha sauces taste the same.
Each brand of sriracha can have its own unique flavor. While most sriracha sauces are spicy and a bit garlicky, the exact taste can vary.
Some are sweeter, while others might be more tangy or have a stronger garlic taste. It’s like how different brands of ketchup can taste a bit different from each other.
So, if you try different sriracha sauces, you might notice they don’t all taste exactly the same. Which is also why we say ‘comparable’ to Huy Fong since each sriracha is unique!
Three Mountains Brand Sriracha
Buy it on Amazon – $6.99
First up is the Three Mountains brand.
The sauce is described as a citrusy, vinegary concoction with a spice level of 2 out of 3.
What Does Yellow Sriracha Taste Like?
Upon opening, the sauce gives off a strong aroma, reminiscent of mustard. It has a sweet, slightly spicy scent.
The taste, however, leans heavily towards the sweet side, with little to no spice detected.
We delved into some critical reviews and found that many people found it too sweet, especially when compared to the original Huy Fong Sriracha.
One reviewer even likened the taste to a moldy or wet basement. The sauce is also quite watery, which may not appeal to everyone.
While it might appeal to those who prefer a sweeter Sriracha, it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a Huy Fong alternative.
It’s too sweet to complement dishes like pho without overpowering them.
Does Sriraja Panich Sriracha Chili Sauce Taste Like Sriracha?
Yes, if you’re looking for an very close alternative to Huy Fong Sriracha, Sriraja Panich is a good one to try. The texture, and flavor is similar, it’s just a bit more runny and a notch lower in spice level.
Buy it On Amazon – $13.90
It comes in a glass jar and is labeled as ‘strong hot’.
We found this at our local grocery outlet for a mere $2, but it’s available on Amazon for $13.49.
This sauce is more liquid than the previous one and has a spicy aroma.
The taste is sweet, but not as spicy as you’d expect from something labeled ‘strong hot’. It’s more like a slightly spicy ketchup.
However, some people have noted that it has an authentic Thai flavor, which we agree with.
If you prefer a spicier Sriracha and are looking for a closer alternative to Huy Fong, this could be a good option.
Just be sure to check your local stores before resorting to Amazon.
Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Chili Sauce
Buy it On Amazon – $5.79
The next brand is one we’re very familiar with – Lee Kum Kee.
We’re big fans of their Chiu Chow chili oil, so we had high hopes for their Sriracha chili sauce.
This sauce is cheaper than the others, available at our local Ralph’s for $5.49.
Online, however, it’s priced at $15.76 on Walmart. The sauce is thicker than the previous ones, with a grainy texture.
The taste has a good kick of spice, but there’s a slightly off-putting aftertaste.
Some people have mentioned a fish sauce-like flavor, but we couldn’t find any fish sauce in the ingredients.
While it’s a closer contender for a Huy Fong replacement, the grainy texture might not appeal to everyone.
However, if you’re looking for a good spice level and an affordable option, this could be a good choice. Just be prepared for a slightly unusual aftertaste.
Trader Joe’s Sriracha vs Huy Fong
Next on our list is Trader Joe’s Sriracha. This one is priced at $3.99 at Trader Joe’s or $11.99 on Amazon.
The consistency of this sauce is somewhere in between the others we’ve tried – not as liquidy as some, but not as thick as Huy Fong.
The first thing you notice about this sauce is its fish sauce-like aroma.
The taste, however, is very mild. There’s a hint of fish sauce, but not much spice. It’s more on the sugary side, almost ketchupy.
This sauce might work well in cooking, especially in dishes where you’d use ketchup.
But if you’re looking for a spicy kick, this one might not hit the mark.
As a Huy Fong replacement, it’s not quite there.
Let’s take a closer look at how Trader Joe’s Sriracha stacks up against the original Huy Fong Sriracha.
Similarities:
- Consistency: Both sauces have a similar consistency, not too liquidy or too thick.
- Aroma: Both sauces have a distinct aroma, with Trader Joe’s giving off a fish sauce-like scent and Huy Fong having its signature spicy aroma.
- Packaging: Both sauces come in squeeze bottles, making them easy to use.
Differences:
- Taste: Trader Joe’s Sriracha leans towards the sweeter side, almost ketchupy, with a hint of fish sauce. Huy Fong, on the other hand, is known for its spicy kick.
- Spice Level: Huy Fong Sriracha is noticeably spicier than Trader Joe’s version.
- Price: Trader Joe’s Sriracha is priced at $3.99 in-store and $11.99 on Amazon, while Huy Fong’s price can vary but is generally more affordable.
While Trader Joe’s Sriracha shares some similarities with Huy Fong’s, such as consistency and packaging, the differences in taste and spice level are significant.
Trader Joe’s version is sweeter and milder, making it a good option for those who prefer less spice. However, if you’re looking for that classic Sriracha kick, Huy Fong remains the go-to choice.
Kroger Sriracha Chili Sauce – Is Kroger Sriracha Good?
We found the next sauce, Kroger’s Sriracha Chili Sauce, at our local Ralph’s. Priced at just $3.19, this was the cheapest sauce we tried.
The color and consistency of this sauce are very similar to Huy Fong. It has a slightly spicy, slightly sweet aroma.
The taste, however, is a pleasant surprise. It’s very similar to Huy Fong, albeit with a bit less spice.
This sauce is a strong contender for a Huy Fong replacement. It’s not quite as spicy, but it makes up for it with its affordable price. This was our biggest surprise so far. Good job, Kroger!
To put it briefly, yes, Kroger Sriracha is SURPRISINGLY good! Especially for the price.
Kikkoman Sriracha
The next sauce we tried is from a familiar brand – Kikkoman. This one comes in a squeeze bottle, similar to a Heinz ketchup bottle.
The sauce is very dark, almost like barbecue sauce. It’s available on Amazon for $5.99 which is a bit on the cheaper side.
The taste of this sauce is quite unique. It’s saltier than the others, with the spice hitting you at the end.
It’s a strong contender for a Huy Fong replacement, and is one of our favorites so far.
Some people have mentioned that it’s too vinegary, but we found that the vinegar and chili flavors complement each other well.
It’s not overwhelmingly spicy, but it does have a good kick. Overall, this sauce is a strong contender.
Sky Valley Sriracha
We found Sky Valley Sriracha at our local Walmart for $5.22.
It’s also available on Amazon for $11.15 – $14.
At first glance, this sauce appears lighter and more liquidy than others.
However, after shaking it, we found it surprisingly thick and grainy.
The taste is unique, reminiscent of tamarind-flavored Mexican candy.
It’s not very spicy and lacks the vinegar kick we’ve come to expect from sriracha.
While it’s a fun sauce to try, it doesn’t quite hit the mark as a Huy Fong replacement.
Tabasco Sriracha vs Huy Fong
Tabasco, a brand well-known for its hot sauces, also has a sriracha offering.
We picked up a small bottle from Walmart for $3.74, but it’s also available on Amazon for $6.99.
Is Tabasco Sriracha the Same as Huy Fong?
The short answer is no. For one, they’re produced by totally different companies.
While Tabasco Sriracha has a thick consistency similar to Huy Fong, the taste is quite different.
It’s very sweet and vinegary, which is expected from Tabasco, but it lacks the spicy kick of Huy Fong.
The texture is also less smooth compared to Huy Fong Sriracha.
While it’s not a direct replacement for Huy Fong, it could be a good option for those who prefer a milder, smoother sriracha.
The smaller bottle size also makes it a less risky purchase if you’re just looking to try something new.
Does Tobasco Sriracha Taste Like Sriracha?
Tabasco’s sriracha sauce is different from the classic Huy Fong sriracha that many people know.
Tabasco’s version is sweeter and has more of a vinegar flavor, which isn’t surprising since Tabasco is famous for that.
It’s not as spicy and the texture isn’t as smooth as Huy Fong’s.
So, if you’re expecting the exact same taste, you most likely won’t get it with the Tobasco version of sriracha. But it’s great for anyone who likes their sauce on the milder side.
Yellow Bird Blue Agave Sriracha
This sriracha is quite different from the rest. It’s labeled as “mellow hot,” so we weren’t expecting a lot of spice.
The taste is very sweet, thanks to the blue agave, and there are chunks of chili that you can bite into.
This sauce is definitely on the mild side.
If you find Huy Fong too spicy, this could be a good alternative.
However, if you’re looking for a direct replacement for Huy Fong, this one might not be it.
The sweetness is quite overpowering, making it a less than ideal contender for a direct replacement.
Underwood Ranches Sriracha
Many fans of Huy Fong Sriracha noticed a change in taste around this time. If you’re one of those people looking to recapture the old flavor, Underwood Ranches might be your best bet.
Underwood Ranches offers two types of sriracha: the regular sriracha and a premium version.
Both are a bit on the pricey side, with a three-pack costing $27 on their website and $44 on Amazon.
Underwood Ranches Regular Sriracha
The regular sriracha from Underwood Ranches prides itself on the quality of peppers used.
The color is very similar to Huy Fong, and we were expecting a spicier taste.
However, the sauce lacked the vinegar and garlic kick we were anticipating.
The chili flavor was present, but overall, the sauce was somewhat unremarkable.
Underwood Ranches Premium Sriracha
The premium sriracha from Underwood Ranches comes in a more vibrant red color and features a dragon on the label.
The taste is similar to their regular sriracha, but with a grainier texture. The spice level is definitely there, but the sauce could benefit from more vinegar and garlic.
Humble House Chili Sauce
While it’s in the ballpark of sriracha, it’s more like a distant Mexican friend of Huy Fong. It’s a good hot sauce, but not quite a sriracha hot sauce.
What Sriracha is Most Similar to Huy Fong?
After trying out all these different brands, we found three that could potentially replace Huy Fong Sriracha: Sriraja Panich from Thailand, Kroger’s own brand sriracha, and Kikkoman Sriracha.
These three, we consider as cousins of Huy Fong Sriracha.
Winner of the Huy Fong Sriracha Dupe – Kroger Sriracha!
Out of all the brands we tested, Kroger’s Sriracha stood out as the closest thing to Huy Fong, and for a fraction of the price at just $3.19.
With a color and consistency strikingly similar to Huy Fong, and a slightly spicy, slightly sweet aroma, it’s a pleasant surprise for the palate.
While it may not be quite as spicy, it more than makes up for it with its affordability.
If you’re on the hunt for a Huy Fong replacement, Kroger’s Sriracha Chili Sauce is the winning dupe that won’t break the bank. Good job, Kroger!
What’s the Best Knock Off Sriracha?
Once again the winner of the best knock off Sriracha is definitely Kroger’s Sriracha.
It really tastes quite similar, surprisingly. Especially in terms of spice level and texture.
It’s also priced affordably at $3.19 (as of 2023).
We hate to call it a ‘knock off’ as we’d like to put some respect on that Kroger name.
