Non-Spicy Sriracha Substitute: Complete Guide
Find the best non-spicy sriracha substitutes for mild flavor without heat. Learn about sweet alternatives, mild hot sauces, and how to reduce sriracha's spiciness.
Quick Answer
The best non-spicy sriracha substitutes are ketchup + garlic powder, sweet chili sauce, or sriracha mixed with mayonnaise. These provide similar flavor without the heat.
Best Substitutes
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 heat.
Sweet Chili Sauce
1:1Mild, sweet sauce with similar consistency to sriracha but no heat. Popular in Asian cuisine.
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.
Sriracha + Mayonnaise
1 part sriracha + 3 parts mayonnaiseDiluted sriracha that 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.
Ketchup + Honey + Garlic Powder
2 tbsp ketchup + 1 tsp honey + 1/4 tsp garlic powderSweet, garlicky sauce with no heat that mimics sriracha's flavor profile.
Best for:
Mix ketchup with honey and garlic powder. The honey adds natural sweetness while garlic powder provides the savory element. No heat at all.
Mild Hot Sauce + Sugar
1 tbsp mild hot sauce + 1 tsp sugarMild hot sauce sweetened to reduce heat perception and add sweetness.
Best for:
Use a mild hot sauce like mild Tabasco or mild Frank's. Add sugar to sweeten and further reduce heat perception. Mix well.
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.
Cooking Tips
- 💡For completely non-spicy options, avoid any hot sauce or chili-based ingredients
- 💡Sweet chili sauce is the easiest non-spicy substitute to find in stores
- 💡When making homemade non-spicy 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 non-spicy choice
- 💡If you accidentally make something too spicy, add more sweetener to balance
- 💡Non-spicy substitutes work best in applications where heat isn't expected
- 💡Store homemade non-spicy substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
- 💡For dipping sauces, mayonnaise-based substitutes are especially good
- 💡When cooking with non-spicy substitutes, you may need to add other seasonings for depth
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best non-spicy substitute for sriracha?
Sweet chili sauce is the best non-spicy 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 not spicy?
Mix sriracha with mayonnaise (1:3 ratio) or ketchup to dilute the heat. You can also use sweet chili sauce as a completely non-spicy alternative.
Can I use ketchup instead of sriracha?
Yes, ketchup works as a non-spicy 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, non-spicy 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 the best non-spicy sriracha substitutes for mild flavor without heat. Learn about sweet alternatives, mild hot sauces, and how to reduce sriracha's spiciness.