Quick answer: Sriracha is a chilli sauce known for its combination of chilli heat, garlic, tanginess and subtle sweetness. It can be used as a dipping sauce, condiment, marinade ingredient or mixed into sauces and dressings. This spring, try it with BBQ meats, noodles, rice bowls, dumplings, eggs, burgers and spicy mayo.
There are pantry staples you buy for one particular recipe. Then there is Sriracha sauce.
A squeeze over noodles today can become a spicy BBQ marinade tomorrow, followed by Sriracha mayo for Friday-night burgers. That versatility is exactly why this bright red chilli sauce has earned a permanent place in so many kitchens.
And with spring well underway in Australia, now is a particularly good time to bring out the Sriracha. Think BBQs, grilled meats, quick noodle bowls, fresh salads and easy meals made for sharing.
Here are 10 easy ways to use Sriracha sauce, plus some of the Sriracha varieties worth keeping in your pantry.
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What is Sriracha sauce?
Sriracha is a chilli sauce traditionally associated with Thailand, usually combining chillies with ingredients such as garlic, vinegar, sugar and salt. The result is a sauce that brings heat together with sweet, tangy and garlicky flavours.
Its versatility has helped Sriracha travel well beyond its Thai roots. Today, you'll find different interpretations from a variety of brands, with flavour profiles ranging from classic red Sriracha to extra-garlic, green chilli, citrusy yuzu and extra-hot varieties.
If you're interested in how Sriracha became such a well-known condiment around the world, read our guide to the rise of Sriracha.
10 easy ways to use Sriracha this spring
1. Make Sriracha mayo
This might be the easiest place to start.
Mix Sriracha with mayonnaise to create a creamy, spicy sauce for burgers, sushi bowls, fried chicken, chips, sandwiches and wraps.
Easy starting ratio: Try approximately 1 teaspoon of Sriracha for every 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, then adjust to your preferred heat level.
Add a squeeze of lime for a fresher spring finish.
2. Give your spring BBQ a Sriracha kick
BBQ season is calling.
Mix Sriracha with soy sauce, garlic and a little honey to create a quick glaze or marinade for chicken wings, chicken skewers, pork, prawns or grilled vegetables.
The combination of sweet, savoury and spicy flavours makes Sriracha particularly handy when you want big flavour without preparing a long list of ingredients.
For garlic lovers, Flying Goose Sriracha Hot Chilli Sauce With Extra Garlic brings even more garlic flavour to grilled food.
3. Upgrade instant noodles
Instant noodles + Sriracha = one very easy pantry win.
Add a small squeeze to your broth, stir it through dry noodles, or drizzle it over the finished bowl. Add a soft-boiled egg, spring onion and sesame seeds and your quick lunch suddenly feels far more complete.
Start with a little. You can always add more.
4. Drizzle it over rice bowls
Sriracha works particularly well with simple rice bowls because one sauce can add chilli, acidity and garlic in seconds.
Try it over steamed rice with grilled chicken, tofu, fried egg, cucumber, avocado or leftover vegetables.
For a lighter, citrusy direction, Flying Goose Sriracha Yuzu Chilli Sauce combines Sriracha heat with yuzu, lime and citrus flavours.
5. Serve it with dumplings and spring rolls
No complicated dipping sauce required.
Serve Sriracha straight from the bottle, or combine it with soy sauce and a splash of rice vinegar for dumplings, wontons and spring rolls.
For something creamier, use the Sriracha mayo combination above.
6. Put it on eggs
Fried eggs, scrambled eggs, omelettes and breakfast rolls can all handle a little Sriracha.
A few drops add chilli and garlic without requiring another cooked component, making it one of the easiest ways to turn a simple breakfast into something much more interesting.
7. Make a spicy salad dressing
Warmer spring days call for lighter meals, and Sriracha can work surprisingly well in dressings.
Try combining a small amount with lime juice, sesame oil and soy sauce. Toss it through crunchy cucumber, cabbage, carrots and herbs, then add chicken, tofu or prawns.
The key here is balance. Sriracha should bring warmth to the dressing without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
8. Add it to burgers and sandwiches
A bottle of Sriracha belongs on the table when burgers are on the menu.
Squeeze it directly onto beef, chicken or plant-based burgers, or mix it with mayonnaise before spreading it over the bun.
It also works in toasted sandwiches, wraps and Vietnamese-inspired rolls when you want an extra chilli kick.
9. Spice up grilled prawns and seafood
Spring entertaining doesn't have to be complicated.
Sriracha, lime and a little honey make an easy flavour combination for grilled prawns. Brush it on towards the end of cooking or serve it alongside the finished seafood as a dipping sauce.
A citrus-forward Sriracha such as Flying Goose Sriracha Yuzu is another option for seafood dishes.
10. Use it wherever you want more heat
This is where Sriracha earns its pantry-staple status.
Pizza? Sriracha.
Fried rice? Sriracha.
Leftover roast chicken? Sriracha.
Stir-fry? Sriracha.
Loaded fries? Definitely Sriracha.
You don't always need a Sriracha recipe. Sometimes the bottle simply goes on the table and everyone chooses their own level of heat.
Which Sriracha sauce should you buy?
There isn't only one style of Sriracha. Different brands and varieties can emphasise chilli, garlic, sweetness, citrus or heat differently.
Here's a simple guide to choosing one.
| Sriracha | Try it if you want | Great with |
|---|---|---|
| Huy Fong Sriracha | The famous rooster-bottle style | Noodles, rice, eggs, pho, burgers |
| Grand Mountain Sriracha | A Thai chilli and garlic sauce | Dipping, noodles, grilled meats |
| Flying Goose Extra Garlic | Extra garlic flavour | BBQ meats, kebabs, burgers |
| Flying Goose Yuzu Sriracha | Chilli with a citrusy twist | Seafood, salads, rice bowls |
| Flying Goose Green Chilli Sriracha | A green chilli variation | Grilled meats, vegetables, dipping |
| Flying Goose Blackout Sriracha | An extra-hot Sriracha experience | Kebabs, meats and dishes needing serious heat |
Product availability can change. Check individual product pages for current stock, dietary information and ingredients.
So, what does Sriracha taste like?
Sriracha generally tastes spicy, garlicky, tangy and slightly sweet. Its appeal comes from delivering more than chilli heat alone.
The exact flavour and heat level depend on the brand and variety. Some versions lean more heavily into garlic, while others introduce flavours such as green chilli or yuzu.
This makes it worth trying different bottles rather than assuming every Sriracha tastes exactly the same.
Is Sriracha very spicy?
Sriracha is a chilli sauce, so you should expect heat. How spicy it feels will depend on the particular sauce and your personal chilli tolerance.
If you're new to Sriracha, start with a small amount and add more after tasting. If you're actively chasing stronger heat, varieties such as Flying Goose Blackout are made specifically for a hotter Sriracha experience.
What foods go best with Sriracha?
Sriracha pairs particularly well with noodles, rice, eggs, dumplings, grilled meats, chicken, seafood, burgers, stir-fries and fried foods. It can also be mixed with mayonnaise, soy sauce, honey, lime or other ingredients to make quick dipping sauces, marinades and dressings.
That flexibility is exactly what makes Sriracha such a useful bottle to have waiting in the pantry.
Frequently asked questions about Sriracha
What is Sriracha made from?
Sriracha recipes vary by brand, but the sauce typically centres around chilli with ingredients that create its characteristic garlicky, tangy, salty and slightly sweet flavour. Always check the product label if you need the exact ingredients or allergen information for a particular bottle.
Is Sriracha Thai?
Sriracha has Thai origins and takes its name from Si Racha in Thailand. Different versions are now produced around the world, including the internationally recognised Huy Fong version from the United States.
What can I use instead of Sriracha?
Other Asian chilli sauces can provide heat, although the flavour may be different. Sambal, chilli garlic sauce, sweet chilli sauce and other hot sauces can work depending on the dish and the balance of heat, sweetness and garlic you want.
Does Sriracha need to be refrigerated?
Storage directions can vary between products. Follow the instructions printed on the bottle you purchase, particularly after opening.
Where can I buy Sriracha sauce in Australia?
You can buy Sriracha sauce online from Asian Pantry, with a range of brands and Sriracha varieties available for delivery across Australia. Check the collection for current stock and delivery options to your postcode.
Ready to turn up the heat?
One bottle. Plenty of possibilities.
Keep Sriracha on hand for quick weeknight noodles, spring BBQs, rice bowls, dumpling nights, burgers and those meals that simply need a little more kick.
Classic, garlicky, citrusy, green or seriously hot, there's more than one way to Sriracha.
Shop Sriracha Sauce Online at Asian Pantry →
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