🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sriracha Substitute UK, Australia, NZ

Find the best sriracha substitutes available in UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Learn about local alternatives, import options, and homemade solutions for these regions.

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Quick Answer

The best sriracha substitutes in UK/Australia/NZ are chili garlic sauce, sweet chili sauce, or homemade sriracha. Many Asian grocery stores carry sriracha, or you can make your own with red jalapeños, garlic, sugar, and vinegar.

Best Substitutes

Chili Garlic Sauce

1:1

Widely available in UK/Australia/NZ Asian grocery stores. Provides similar heat and garlic flavor to sriracha.

Best for:

When you want closest matchAsian dishesstir-friesmarinadeswhen sriracha is unavailable

Chili garlic sauce is more readily available than sriracha in these regions. Look for it in Asian grocery stores, major supermarkets, or online. It has similar heat and garlic flavor to sriracha.

Sweet Chili Sauce

1:1

Very common in UK/Australia/NZ. Provides sweetness and mild heat, though less spicy than sriracha.

Best for:

When you want mild heatAsian dishesdipping sauceswhen you prefer sweetnesswidely available option

Sweet chili sauce is extremely common in these regions and available in most supermarkets. It's milder than sriracha but provides similar sweetness and thickness. Good for those who want less heat.

Homemade Sriracha

1:1

DIY sriracha made with available ingredients. Red jalapeños can be found in specialty stores or grown at home.

Best for:

When you want authentic flavorlong-term solutionwhen you can't find srirachacustomization

Make your own sriracha using red jalapeños (available in specialty stores or grow your own), garlic, sugar, and vinegar. This gives you authentic sriracha flavor with locally available ingredients.

Hot Sauce + Garlic + Sugar

1:1 + 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp hot sauce

Local hot sauce enhanced with garlic and sugar to mimic sriracha's flavor profile.

Best for:

When you have local hot saucequick substitutewhen other options aren't availableusing local ingredients

Use local hot sauce brands (like Tabasco, which is widely available) and enhance with garlic powder and sugar. This creates a sriracha-like flavor using readily available ingredients.

Sambal Oelek + Sugar + Garlic

1:1 + 1 tsp sugar + 1/4 tsp garlic powder per tbsp sambal

Indonesian chili paste enhanced with sugar and garlic. More available than sriracha in these regions.

Best for:

When you have sambal availableIndonesian disheswhen you want pure heatAsian grocery store finds

Sambal oelek is more readily available than sriracha in these regions. Look for it in Asian grocery stores. Add sugar and garlic powder to mimic sriracha's sweet-garlic profile.

Gochujang + Vinegar + Sugar

1:1 + 1 tsp vinegar + 1 tsp sugar per tbsp gochujang

Korean chili paste modified to mimic sriracha. Available in Asian grocery stores in these regions.

Best for:

Korean disheswhen you want complex flavorAsian grocery store findswhen you have gochujang available

Gochujang is available in Asian grocery stores in these regions. Thin with vinegar and add sugar to mimic sriracha's sweetness and acidity. This creates a complex, fermented flavor.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Check Asian grocery stores in major cities - they often carry sriracha and similar products
  • 💡Look for sriracha in the international/ethnic food sections of major supermarkets
  • 💡Online retailers often have sriracha available for delivery to these regions
  • 💡Sweet chili sauce is extremely common and can be used as a mild substitute
  • 💡Chili garlic sauce is more readily available than sriracha in these regions
  • 💡Consider growing your own jalapeños for homemade sriracha
  • 💡Many local hot sauce brands can be enhanced to mimic sriracha flavor
  • 💡Check specialty food stores and gourmet markets for imported sriracha
  • 💡Some restaurants and cafes may sell sriracha or similar products
  • 💡Consider making large batches of homemade sriracha to last through shortages

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find sriracha in the UK/Australia/NZ?

Check Asian grocery stores, major supermarkets' international sections, and online retailers. Chili garlic sauce and sweet chili sauce are more readily available alternatives.

What's the best sriracha substitute in Australia?

Sweet chili sauce is very common in Australia and works as a mild substitute. Chili garlic sauce is also widely available in Asian grocery stores and provides closer flavor to sriracha.

Can I get sriracha in New Zealand?

Sriracha is available in some Asian grocery stores and online retailers in New Zealand. Sweet chili sauce is more common and can work as a substitute, though it's milder than sriracha.

What's a good sriracha substitute in the UK?

Chili garlic sauce is widely available in UK Asian grocery stores and provides similar flavor to sriracha. Sweet chili sauce is also very common and works as a milder substitute.

How do I make sriracha in these regions?

Make homemade sriracha using red jalapeños (available in specialty stores), garlic, sugar, and vinegar. Blend and ferment for 3-5 days, then store in the refrigerator for 4-6 months.

Is sweet chili sauce a good sriracha substitute?

Sweet chili sauce is a good mild substitute for sriracha in these regions. It's widely available and provides similar sweetness and thickness, though it's less spicy than sriracha.

Summary

Find the best sriracha substitutes available in UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Learn about local alternatives, import options, and homemade solutions for these regions.