Chili garlic sauce is a thing of beauty. I consider it a kitchen essential.
The problem with ingredients you use all the time is that you run out quickly. Inevitably, you find yourself needing a chili garlic sauce substitute.
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You have that chili garlic paste, but how will you get the right consistency? Would sambal oelek hit the spot? Can sriracha sauce save you?
I’ve done the math, and more importantly, I’ve done the cooking. Check out the results below!
Jump to:
- Understanding Chili Garlic Sauce and Its Unique Flavor Profile
- Top Substitutes for Chili Garlic Sauce
- Tips for Substituting Chili Garlic Sauce: How to Choose the Right Substitute Based on Dish Type
- Chili Garlic Sauce Substitute: Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Recipe
Understanding Chili Garlic Sauce and Its Unique Flavor Profile
High-quality chili garlic sauce is made using fresh chili peppers, minced garlic, and just a few other ingredients. The additional seasonings depend on where the sauce is from: there are popular variants all over the world.
This is great news for us. It means that there are tons of delicious options whenever you need a substitute for chili garlic sauce.
The Basic Ingredients of Chili Garlic Sauce
Crafted with a potent mix of pulverized red chiles, garlic, vinegar, and a dash of salt and sugar, occasionally enhanced with cornstarch for viscosity, this zesty sauce transcends mere spiciness to offer a harmonious flavor symphony.
Each ingredient plays its role—the chiles deliver the punch while the garlic adds depth.
Vinegar gives it a tangy edge, making every bite an adventure in flavor. And let’s not forget how sugar rounds everything out with a subtle sweetness that keeps you coming back for more.
Culinary Uses Across Cuisines
This powerhouse sauce doesn’t play favorites when it comes to cuisine—it’s as versatile as they come. Whether stirred into Asian stir-fries or dabbed on Western pizzas, chili garlic sauce brings dishes alive with its robust flavor profile.
Shrimp dishes gain an extra kick, while ramen gets elevated with just a spoonful.
But why stop there? Even simple snacks like popcorn can benefit from this spicy upgrade—talk about versatility.
For those who’ve had their taste buds tantalized by sriracha hot chili pepper sauce, consider this your next culinary expedition.
With sriracha often hailed as a good substitute due to its similar spice level but slightly sweeter undertone thanks to added sugar, diving deeper into sauces like sambal oelek offers pure chili flavor without distraction.
Remember: while substitutes abound—from harissa paste giving North African warmth to black bean offering Chinese complexity—none quite replicate the unique dance between fire and zest found in authentic chili garlic concoctions.
Top Substitutes for Chili Garlic Sauce
Finding the perfect substitute for chili garlic sauce can be like navigating a spicy jungle.
Fear not: ingredient substitutions are my specialty dish here at Always The Crumbs, Please.
I’ve got you covered with options that maintain the original’s fiery spirit and garlicky punch! Discover the best chili garlic sauce substitutes below.
1. Chili Garlic Paste
The most natural substitute for chili garlic sauce is simply chili garlic paste mixed with a little water.
You can also add a dash of vinegar and some seasoning (usually salt and sugar) to achieve an almost like-for-like replacement.
Garlic and chili paste is widely available and lasts for a long time in your pantry or fridge—it’s best kept in the fridge after it’s been opened. If you can’t find a combined paste, you can also buy these individually and mix them together!
I’d typically recommend using rice vinegar if you’re replacing an Asian-style hot sauce. Use spirit vinegar for a more neutral flavor, or consider white wine vinegar if you’re making a salad dressing.
A key ingredient of many Asian chili garlic sauces is MSG (monosodium glutamate). MSG has a negative reputation in the West, but this is largely due to a deeply unscientific and xenophobic study, the history of which is covered here by The Atlantic.
My opinion? I almost always add MSG to Asian hot sauce substitutes.
It’s a fantastic ingredient. If you want to skip it, that’s fine! Just use salt instead.
To substitute for chili garlic sauce, mix up a paste with water, a splash of vinegar, and some salt and sugar in the same quantity of chili garlic sauce you’d planned to use.
If it’s going in a cooked recipe, it’s best to “cook the paste off” by adding it directly to the hot base of the pan and stirring it through the sauce. Adding it when your sauce or stew is already bubbling could result in a raw, slightly unpleasant flavor.
Best for: Chili garlic paste is an all-purpose substitute for chili garlic sauce in hearty sauces, spices up stir-fries, shines in salad dressings, and even excels as a BBQ rub.
Related: From Mild to Fiery: Exploring Best Chili Paste Substitutes for Every Palate
2. Sriracha Sauce
Should chili garlic sauce be your preferred method for spicing up meals, you may find a close ally in sriracha sauce, with its distinctive zest.
With its slightly sweeter undertone, sriracha offers a versatile kick without overshadowing other flavors. The robust consistency of sriracha not only elevates marinades but also shines as a condiment, infusing each morsel with an invigorating spark.
Mingling fiery red chilies with garlic, this beloved condiment introduces a hint of sweetness, distinguishing itself from the classic chili-garlic concoction.
Sriracha, with its dynamic flavor profile, has become a global kitchen staple, finding its way into everything from morning eggs to vibrant stir-fries.
When using sriracha as an alternative to chili garlic sauce, follow a 1:1 ratio.
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Best for: Sriracha makes a good substitute for chili garlic sauce due to its similar spicy flavor profile, ideal for adding heat to Southeast Asian classics such as Thai curries, fried rice, and sticky barbecue pork. It’s also fantastic in marinades and when used as a dipping sauce for anything from prawn toast to air fryer garlic bread.
3. Harissa Paste
Harissa paste, hailing from North Africa, is another stellar alternative when you’re out of chili garlic sauce.
Known for its complex flavor profile featuring smoked chili peppers, herbs such as coriander and caraway seeds plus oil and citrus hints—harissa adds depth wherever used.
The spice level varies across brands so start with about half the amount of sauce you were planning to use; you can always add more if needed.
From rubbing on meats before roasting to stirring into couscous or soups, harissa introduces a world of flavor while keeping the essence of what makes chili garlic sauces great: heat paired with a robust taste.
Harissa paste offers a complexity and richness that’s truly unparalleled. This richly flavored condiment can be used sparingly in salad dressings to avoid overpowering other ingredients but still provide that spicy punch we crave.
When incorporating this substitute, start by adding small amounts and taste as you go—this way, you’ll achieve the perfect balance without turning your refreshing salad into a fire drill.
Best for: Harissa paste makes a good substitute for chili garlic sauce due to its spicy, smoky flavor, ideal for adding depth to shakshuka, dips, and grilled meats.
Related: Best Harissa Substitutes for a Savory, Spicy Dish
4. Sambal Oelek
Another fantastic option is sambal oelek.
This is a critical ingredient in Indonesian cuisine. Never tried Indonesian food? You’re missing out!
It provides a purer chili flavor because it’s made with minimal ingredients—mainly chilies and vinegar—making it an excellent choice if you’re looking to highlight the freshness of bell peppers or broccoli in your stir-fry.
The key here is starting with small amounts; this allows you to gradually build up the heat level until it reaches your desired intensity without risking overpowering your meal.
Best for: Sambal oelek makes a great stand-in for chili garlic sauce due to its fiery flavor and chunky texture, perfect for grilled meats and fish; chicken and beef are popular classics.
5. Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Sauce
In search of something truly unique?
One of my top brands for Chinese cooking, Lee Kum Kee black bean sauce is another stellar product blending fermented black beans’ umami richness with mild heat levels — a savory twist ideal for those preferring less fiery options but still desiring full-flavored impact.
Lee Kum Kee Black Bean sauce combines soybean oil-based textures with hints of garlic making it great as either dip or marinade base especially suited for beef dishes needing that extra oomph.
This alternative stands out not only because it introduces new dimensions beyond simple spiciness but also incorporates cultural influences from Chinese cuisine directly onto Western tables without skipping a beat in terms of versatility across cooking styles.
Add about ⅔rds of black bean sauce compared to the required quantity of chili garlic sauce to begin with, as it has a distinctive flavor.
Best for: Lee Kum Kee black bean sauce is an excellent choice as a chili garlic sauce substitute in stir-fries, but it’s also a surprisingly good substitute in beef chili or as a dipping sauce for air fryer BBQ chicken wings.
Related: 9 Kecap Manis Substitute Ideas For A Sweet And Savory Twist
6. Taberu Rayu
In Japan, Taberu Rayu takes center stage as a less-known but equally thrilling alternative to garlic and chili sauce.
Crafted with fried garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red chilies, this concoction delivers a unique crunch that sets it apart. Imagine drizzling this over ramen or sushi rolls for an extra kick that’s both spicy and aromatic.
The charm of Taberu Rayu lies in its versatility; it goes beyond being merely a topping or sauce substitute.
It introduces an entirely new dimension to meals with its distinctive crunchiness mingled with the heat from red chili peppers and sweetness akin to sweet chili sauces and sweet chili sauce substitutes found in popular recipes around the globe.
Swap Taberu Rayu in a 1:1 ratio when used for dipping sauces and salad dressings.
Best for: Taberu Rayu is delicious as a chili garlic sauce substitute when used to top sushi rolls and ramen dishes. It’s also amazing on French toast—just trust me on this one! Add it to dipping sauces for hot air fryer chicken wings or barbecue pork.
Related: 9 Best Garlic Salt Substitutes – The First Step to Low Sodium Diet
7. Homemade Chili Garlic Sauce
Here’s a secret: you can always just make your own homemade chili garlic sauce. It’s easy, and you may well already have all the ingredients.
You will need:
- Fresh chili peppers
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Vinegar (rice vinegar or spirit vinegar are my favorites)
- Sesame oil
- Sugar
- Salt or MSG
That’s it for ingredients. You can find the full recipe at the bottom of this page.
An advantage of homemade chili garlic sauce is that you have complete control over the heat levels and garlic flavor. If you’re a garlic aficionado but prefer a milder taste, don’t use as much chili. Likewise, if you love heat but have a date this evening, you can use fewer garlic cloves.
If you’re using this as a dipping sauce or a salad dressing, you’ll also notice a real difference in the freshness. It’s not just a replacement for chili garlic sauce: it’s a distinct improvement.
Leaving the chili seeds in will add more heat. If you want to moderate the spiciness, only add the finely chopped flesh of the chili.
Likewise, it matters how you prepare your garlic.
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Mincing garlic produces a pleasant, balanced flavor. Crushing it using a garlic crusher offers more intensity.
For the most pungent results, mince the garlic and then smash it up with some salt and sugar using a pestle and mortar.
As it’s essentially the same sauce you’re replacing, you can substitute this in a 1:1 ratio.
Best for: Homemade chili garlic sauce can be used as a replacement for any recipe that requires that pungent garlic flavor and a bit of heat. Tailor it to your preferences and use it in everything from beef rendang to chicken tika, prawn toast dip to Mexican ground beef burritos with guacamole!
8. Spicy Ketchup
If you’re really in a pinch, you can swap in spicy ketchup for chili garlic sauce.
Ketchup typically won’t have as much garlic flavor, so you may want to add a little garlic paste or some extra crushed garlic to your recipe. It may also contain more sugar and other additives, so don’t add too much or your dish may become sweeter than you’d like.
I’d add about half the amount of spicy ketchup compared to chili garlic sauce to begin with, and then adjust to taste.
Best for: Spicy ketchup adds sweetness and tang to dips for air fryer chicken nuggets, wings, and barbecue beef ribs. It also complements pork recipes well, such as our air fryer boneless pork chops.
Related: 14 Healthy Ketchup Substitute Ideas for Delicious, Hearty Meals
Tips for Substituting Chili Garlic Sauce: How to Choose the Right Substitute Based on Dish Type
Matching Heat Levels in Stir-Fries
Venturing into the realm of crafting your own chili garlic sauce alternatives, it’s essential to master the art of selecting one that complements your culinary creation perfectly.
For stir-fries, where every ingredient should sing in harmony without being drowned out by heat, balance is key.
Sriracha sauce often comes up as a top substitute due to its versatile flavor that carries a hint of sweetness alongside its spice. Sriracha, with its subtle sweetness and spicy zing, elevates shrimp or chicken stir-fries to perfection by enhancing rather than overpowering the dish’s diverse tastes.
Moreover, the thickness of sriracha sauce aligns well with that of classic chili garlic sauce, guaranteeing your meal keeps its expected feel.
Dressing Salads with a Spicy Twist
Salad dressings are no longer just about the oil and vinegar.
They’re a canvas for creativity, especially when you’re aiming to add a kick. A good substitute chili garlic sauce can transform your greens into something extraordinary.
If you’ve ever found yourself out of chili garlic sauce while making your favorite salad dressing, don’t fret.
Taberu Rayu is an excellent alternative that brings heat along with a slightly sweeter undertone compared to traditional chili garlic sauces. Sriracha’s adaptability shines when it’s smoothly blended into both tangy vinaigrettes and lush, velvety dressings.
Sauce Consistency Matters
When swapping out chili garlic sauce, remember it’s not just about the heat; texture plays a huge role too.
A sauce-like consistency ensures that your alternative melds seamlessly into dishes without altering their expected mouthfeel.
For instance, if you’re making a stir-fry or pizza where chili garlic sauce is typically drizzled on top for an extra kick, choosing something with a thicker texture might throw off the balance.
This is why knowing your substitutes can make or break a dish. Sriracha, despite its popularity as a versatile hot sauce, has a thinner consistency compared to traditional chili garlic paste but packs a similar punch with added sweetness.
On the other hand, harissa paste offers both spice and thickness but introduces complex flavor profiles from North African spices.
What’s the Goal?
To get this right every time, consider what role the original condiment played in your recipe.
Was it there for heat? Texture? Or maybe depth of flavor?
This understanding will guide you towards suitable alternatives like sambal oelek for a pure chili taste or black bean sauces when looking for something savory yet mild.
The Art of Measurement Adjustments
When swapping out chili garlic sauce in your favorite dishes, the secret sauce to success is getting the ratios right.
Too little and you’re left wondering where the heat went; too much and your dish might just breathe fire. For a fiery kick without overwhelming your taste buds, start with half the amount of sriracha, harissa paste, or alternative of your choice, then adjust according to your spice tolerance.
Sambal oelek brings pure chili flavor but lacks the garlicky depth of traditional chili garlic sauce. If you’re using it as a substitute, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder to achieve that desired complexity.
On another note, Lee Kum Kee’s black bean sauce offers a savory twist with milder heat levels—perfect for those who prefer their dishes more flavorful than spicy.
Grasping the nuances of substitute ingredients and their impact on culinary creations is fundamentally important.
Sriracha tends towards sweetness due to its sugar content—a characteristic worth noting when tweaking homemade sauces or dressings requiring a balance between sweet and hot elements.
Conversely, harissa’s smoky undertones can introduce an unexpected layer into simple stir-fries or marinades meant for grilling.
Key Takeaways
The most important consideration when you’re using any chili garlic sauce substitute is: what type of sauce am I replacing?
If you’re switching out sambal, try sriracha. If you need a warm, hot, peppery taste, consider harissa. Choose the sauce for the dish you’re preparing.
And never be afraid to make your own. It’s much easier than you’d think and requires only a few cupboard essentials.
Spice things up with our substitutions—have fun!
Recipe
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