The Fiery Elixir: What Does Sriracha Taste Like?

When you want to enjoy hot stuff, there’s nothing like dipping your crispy chicken, fries or chips in some sriracha.

The combo can satisfy your cravings; you may even wish to eat more because it’s so good.

Sriracha is a versatile condiment you can serve with most foods that ask for a hot sauce.

We know it’s mouth-watering but what does sriracha taste like and is it easy to prepare?

If you’re a food lover and like to taste different foods and know more, continue reading.

We’ll list some important facts about sriracha, including its flavor, similar foods, and what you can serve it with.

What is Sriracha?

Sriracha is a condiment first produced in the town of Si Racha (or Sriracha), Thailand, in the 1940s.

In the country of its origin, it’s served as a dipping sauce and also consumed as a soup.

Sriracha is typically made with chili peppers, sugar, salt, garlic and distilled vinegar.

Over the years, sriracha has gained recognition and many brands have started making it.

Hence, you’ll find the product in a lot of stores.

Some exceptional products are available so you can choose whichever you prefer after considering the cost, ingredients and brand.

Sriracha is often used as a dipping sauce with eggs and seafood, but you can serve it with any dish that requires a similar condiment.

They can include crisps, tortillas, grilled meat, roasted veggies and others.

You can incorporate it with other ingredients or add it while cooking different dishes.

What Does Sriracha Taste Like?

Sriracha isn’t simply popular because it happens to be a condiment.

It’s because it’s flavorsome and versatile, as you can serve it with various foods or add it to different dishes for more flavor.

So what is its flavor exactly? Sriracha combines sweet, sour, hot and salty tones with a strong garlic note.

That’s why it’s suitable to have with various foods and dishes.

It has a similar consistency to ketchup but when it comes to substitution, sambal oelek, a traditional Indonesian chili sauce is the closest variety.

However, you can also use piri-piri sauce, gochujang or harissa if you don’t have sriracha because all have red peppers as the base.

But all of them follow a different making process so they don’t taste alike but can offer a similar effect.

Sriracha is a popular condiment in Southeast Asian, Indian and Mexican cuisine, but you can enjoy it with other dishes.

So, its uses are unlimited as you can combine it with other condiments and make it creamier, spicier or tangier.

The condiment is hot but less spicy than Tabasco sauce or Choulula hot sauce.

However, it’s hotter than Frank’s Red Hot, Texas Pete and Crystal.

Hence, you can use a smaller amount if you don’t like it too hot and increase the quantity if you want spicy.

How to Make Sriracha and How to Use It?

The most well-known sriracha brand is Huy Fong Sriracha so you can grab a bottle the next time you visit the store.

But you can also make a fresh batch at home because it’s simple.

It uses only a handful of ingredients and you can control the flavors too.

Fresh condiment tastes better and healthier so you can make only the quantity needed for a particular occasion.

However, sriracha can remain in excellent condition if stored properly.

So, it won’t be a waste even if you have an excess amount.

The typical sriracha is made with red Jalapeños, a popular chili in Mexican cooking.

You can use the variety when making the sauce at home.

You can also add other red peppers depending on what level of heat you prefer.

You’ll also need water, garlic, light brown sugar, kosher salt and distilled white vinegar.

The ingredients should be proportionate or you’ll have a very salty or too sweet or too tangy sauce.

Here are the simple steps to make sriracha at home:

• Wash jalapenos, remove the seeds entirely and chop them. .
• Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend them.
• Transfer the mixture to a jar, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit in a dark and cool area for 3-5 days. Stir it once daily until bubbles appear.
• At the end of five days, pour the mixture into the appliance, blend it again, and pour it into a saucepan using a strainer. Throw away any remaining pulp.
• Place the saucepan on medium heat and keep stirring until it boils and reaches a certain thickness you prefer. .
• Transfer the sauce to a jar after it cools down and store it in the fridge. You can use it when needed.

You can:

• Put it on top of omelets.
• Add it to salad dressing.
• Use it as a dip for chips and fries.
• Make a marinade .
• Mix it with mayonnaise for a creamy texture.
• Add it to stir-fries.

Besides these, you can use it in stews, soups, and casseroles and enjoy it with various dishes.

Conclusion

Sriracha fits the bill if you want a hot, sweet, sour and delicious condiment.

Since you know its taste, you can try it instead of other hot sauces as mentioned earlier.

You can buy a readymade product as the one stated above, or you can follow the simple steps to make a fresh batch at home.

Either way, the condiment will enhance your dish and satisfy your craving for some heat.