Out of szechuan paste?

Szechuan Paste Substitute for HelloFresh Recipes Guide

Use this

Chili Garlic Sauce

Use the same amount as the szechuan paste you are replacing

Best for HelloFresh stir-fries

For HelloFresh recipes, the best szechuan paste substitute is chili garlic sauce or sriracha mixed with a pinch of ground szechuan peppercorns. Use 1:1 ratio and adjust heat to taste.

At a glance

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Szechuan Paste substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of szechuan paste, use
1	Chili Garlic Sauce	Same amount
2	Sriracha + Garlic	Same amount
3	Gochujang	Same amount
4	Red Curry Paste	Same amount
5	Chili Paste + Soy Sauce	Same amount

Every szechuan paste substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Chili Garlic Sauce
Use the same amount
Perfect for HelloFresh recipes - similar paste consistency and heat level.
What changes
Easy to find in most grocery stores and works well in stir-fries and marinades.
Best for
HelloFresh stir-fries, marinades, when you need easy grocery store substitute
Taste
similar heat profile
Texture
similar paste consistency
Most HelloFresh recipes work well with chili garlic sauce as a direct replacement
2. Sriracha + Garlic
Use the same amount
Mix sriracha with minced garlic for a quick HelloFresh substitute.
What changes
Provides similar heat and works well in most meal kit recipes.
Best for
quick HelloFresh substitutions, when sriracha is more available, stir-fries
Taste
similar heat with garlic notes
Texture
similar consistency
Add minced garlic to sriracha for better flavor match
3. Gochujang
Use the same amount
Korean chili paste that works well in HelloFresh recipes.
What changes
Provides similar paste consistency and heat, though with different flavor profile.
Best for
HelloFresh marinades, when you want fermented depth, Korean fusion recipes
Taste
different but complementary
Texture
similar paste consistency
Gochujang is sweeter than szechuan paste but works well in most applications
4. Red Curry Paste
Use the same amount
Thai curry paste that can work in HelloFresh recipes.
What changes
Provides similar paste consistency and heat, though with different spice profile.
Best for
HelloFresh recipes with Asian flavors, when you want similar heat level, curry-style dishes
Taste
different spice profile
Texture
similar paste consistency
Red curry paste has different spices but similar heat and consistency
5. Chili Paste + Soy Sauce
Use the same amount
Mix any chili paste with soy sauce for a HelloFresh substitute.
What changes
Provides similar umami and heat combination.
Best for
HelloFresh stir-fries, when you need umami depth, quick substitutions
Taste
similar umami and heat
Texture
similar consistency
Add a splash of soy sauce to any chili paste for more complexity

This page covers one situation. For the full ranked comparison, see all 6 szechuan paste substitutes.

How it behaves in this recipe

HelloFresh recipes are designed to be accessible and adaptable, making them perfect for substitution. The meal kit format means recipes need to work with common grocery store ingredients, so most chili paste substitutes work well. The key is maintaining similar heat level and paste consistency for proper cooking.

Tips

HelloFresh recipes are designed to be accessible, so most chili pastes work well as substitutes
Start with less heat and add more gradually - HelloFresh recipes often call for specific heat levels
The paste consistency is important for HelloFresh recipes as it helps ingredients stick together
Most HelloFresh szechuan paste recipes work well with chili garlic sauce as a direct replacement
If you can find szechuan peppercorns, grind a pinch and add to any chili paste substitute
HelloFresh recipes often have specific timing, so use substitutes that cook similarly
Store any homemade substitutes in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
For HelloFresh meal prep, make your substitute in advance and store in small containers

Notes on szechuan paste

Use any spicy paste you have on hand - HelloFresh recipes are designed to be flexible
Mix different chili pastes for a more complex flavor profile
Add a pinch of ground szechuan peppercorns to any substitute if available
Use the substitute as a finishing sauce rather than cooking with it
Adjust the heat level to your preference - HelloFresh recipes are meant to be adaptable

Questions

What's the best szechuan paste substitute for HelloFresh recipes?

Chili garlic sauce is the best substitute for HelloFresh recipes. It's widely available, has similar heat and paste consistency, and works well in most meal kit recipes.

Can I use sriracha instead of szechuan paste in HelloFresh recipes?

Yes, sriracha works well as a substitute for szechuan paste in HelloFresh recipes. Mix it with minced garlic for better flavor match and use the same amount.

Will HelloFresh recipes taste different with substitutes?

The recipes will taste slightly different but still delicious. HelloFresh recipes are designed to be adaptable, so most chili paste substitutes work well.

Where can I find szechuan paste substitutes for HelloFresh?

Most grocery stores carry chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or gochujang. These are all good substitutes for szechuan paste in HelloFresh recipes.

Can I make HelloFresh recipes without szechuan paste?

Absolutely! HelloFresh recipes are designed to be flexible. Any spicy paste substitute will work well and still deliver great flavor.

More szechuan paste substitutes

Browse the full guide, or the 2,551 ingredients in the index.

Szechuan Paste substitutes Browse all ingredients

At a glance

Every szechuan paste substitute

1. Chili Garlic Sauce

2. Sriracha + Garlic

3. Gochujang

4. Red Curry Paste

5. Chili Paste + Soy Sauce