Mild Sriracha Substitute - Less Spicy Options
Find mild sriracha substitutes with reduced heat for sensitive palates. Learn about less spicy alternatives, how to reduce sriracha's heat, and mild hot sauce options.
Quick Answer
The best mild sriracha substitutes are sweet chili sauce (1:1), sriracha mixed with mayonnaise (1:3 ratio), or ketchup + garlic powder (1 tbsp ketchup + 1/4 tsp garlic). These provide similar flavor with reduced heat.
Best Substitutes
Sweet Chili Sauce
1:1Mild, sweet sauce with similar consistency to sriracha but significantly less heat. Perfect for sensitive palates.
Best for:
Sweet chili sauce has the thickness and sweetness of sriracha but is completely mild. It's widely available and works well in most applications where you want sriracha flavor without heat.
Sriracha + Mayonnaise
1 part sriracha + 3 parts mayonnaiseDiluted sriracha that significantly reduces heat while maintaining some of the original flavor.
Best for:
Mix sriracha with mayonnaise to reduce heat. Start with 1:3 ratio and adjust. The mayo adds creaminess and significantly reduces spiciness while maintaining some sriracha flavor.
Ketchup + Garlic Powder
1 tbsp ketchup + 1/4 tsp garlic powderSweet and garlicky without any heat. Perfect for those who want sriracha's flavor profile without spice.
Best for:
Mix ketchup with garlic powder to taste. Add a pinch of sugar if you want more sweetness. This gives you the sweet-garlic flavor of sriracha without any heat.
Mild Hot Sauce + Garlic Powder + Sugar
1:1 + 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp mild hot sauceMild hot sauce enhanced with garlic and sugar for reduced heat perception.
Best for:
Use a mild hot sauce like mild Tabasco or mild Frank's. Add garlic powder and sugar to enhance flavor and reduce heat perception. This provides some heat but much less than regular sriracha.
Tomato Paste + Sugar + Garlic Powder
1 tbsp tomato paste + 1 tsp sugar + 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp waterThick, sweet, and garlicky sauce with no heat that works well in cooking applications.
Best for:
Mix tomato paste with sugar, garlic powder, and a little water to thin. This creates a thick, sweet, garlicky sauce with no heat that works well in cooking applications.
Sriracha + Sour Cream
1 part sriracha + 2 parts sour creamDiluted sriracha with sour cream that reduces heat and adds tanginess.
Best for:
Mix sriracha with sour cream to reduce heat. The sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess while significantly reducing spiciness. Use 1:2 ratio and adjust to taste.
Cooking Tips
- 💡For completely mild options, avoid any hot sauce or chili-based ingredients
- 💡Sweet chili sauce is the easiest mild substitute to find in stores
- 💡When making mild substitutes, taste as you go to ensure no heat
- 💡Ketchup-based substitutes work well for American dishes and kids' meals
- 💡For Asian dishes, sweet chili sauce is the most authentic mild choice
- 💡If you accidentally make something too spicy, add more sweetener or dairy to balance
- 💡Mild substitutes work best in applications where heat isn't expected
- 💡Store mild substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- 💡For dipping sauces, mayonnaise or sour cream-based substitutes are especially good
- 💡When cooking with mild substitutes, you may need to add other seasonings for depth
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best mild substitute for sriracha?
Sweet chili sauce is the best mild substitute for sriracha. It has similar thickness and sweetness without any heat. Use a 1:1 ratio in most recipes.
How do I make sriracha less spicy?
Mix sriracha with mayonnaise (1:3 ratio) or sour cream (1:2 ratio) to dilute the heat. You can also use sweet chili sauce as a completely mild alternative.
Can I use ketchup instead of sriracha?
Yes, ketchup works as a mild substitute, especially when mixed with garlic powder. It provides the sweetness and thickness of sriracha without the heat.
What's a good mild substitute for sriracha?
Sweet chili sauce is the best mild substitute. It's widely available, has similar consistency to sriracha, and provides sweetness without any heat.
Can kids eat sriracha substitutes?
Yes, mild substitutes like ketchup + garlic powder or sweet chili sauce are perfect for kids. They provide similar flavor without any heat.
Is there a way to reduce sriracha's heat without changing the flavor?
Mix sriracha with mayonnaise or sour cream to reduce heat while maintaining most of the original flavor. Start with a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio.
Summary
Find mild sriracha substitutes with reduced heat for sensitive palates. Learn about less spicy alternatives, how to reduce sriracha's heat, and mild hot sauce options.