Sauce, hot chile, sriracha
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Sriracha is a thick, vibrant red chili sauce with a balanced profile of garlic-forward heat, tangy vinegar, and a subtle sweetness. Its smooth, pourable texture clings to food, delivering a consistent, pungent kick. Nutritionally, it's a low-calorie, high-flavor condiment, but its carbohydrate content comes almost entirely from added sugar.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore Sriracha for its iconic 'rooster' bottle and its perfect balance of heat, garlic, and sweetness that elevates everything from eggs to pho. It has become a global pantry staple, symbolizing a fun, bold, and accessible approach to spicy food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar content (over 15g per 100g) can contribute to blood-sugar spikes if used liberally. The capsaicin can also cause digestive discomfort for some. To counteract, use it as a flavor accent rather than a base, and pair it with protein or healthy fats (like in a stir-fry or on avocado) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Adds significant flavor with minimal calories.
- Capsaicin from chilies may support metabolism.
- Contains garlic, which has potential antioxidant benefits.
- Highly versatile across cuisines and meal types.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic Sriracha recipe was adapted by David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee, from a sauce he enjoyed in the Si Racha district of Thailand, and he started making it in a bucket in Los Angeles in 1980.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 71.8 g |
| Energy | 93.0 kcal |
| Energy | 388 kj |
| Protein | 1.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.93 g |
| Ash | 6.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.1 g |
| Sucrose | 0.27 g |
| Glucose | 6.7 g |
| Fructose | 8.2 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 18.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 46.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 321 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 2124 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.24 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.15 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 26.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.22 mg |
| Niacin | 1.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.38 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.46 mg |
| Folate, total | 22.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 22.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 129 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1261 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 234 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 334 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 2574 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 896 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.12 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.27 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 10.9 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.00 ug |
FAQ
Is Sriracha the same as sambal oelek?
No. Sriracha is a cooked, smooth, sweet-and-garlicky sauce. Sambal oelek is a raw, chunky, salty chili paste with no sugar or garlic, used more as a pure chili base.
Why did Sriracha face shortages?
Major shortages in 2022-2023 were due to severe droughts in key chili-growing regions (like Mexico), which disrupted the supply chain for Huy Fong Foods.
Does Sriracha need to be refrigerated?
The manufacturer recommends refrigeration after opening to maintain best quality and flavor. Its high acidity and sugar content allow it to be shelf-stable for a time, but refrigeration is ideal.