Chili Garlic Sauce Substitutes (8 Best Alternatives for Your Recipes)

Chili garlic sauce is a tasty and spicy condiment that comes from Asian kitchens, like in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. People all around the world love its mix of red chili peppers, garlic, and other good stuff. It makes food lively and interesting.

In this guide, we’re talking about Chili Garlic Sauce Substitutes. Maybe you can’t find it, or you want something different – we’ve got you covered. We’ll share eight alternatives that keep the tasty part of chili garlic sauce, so you can use them in your cooking.

What Is Chili Garlic Sauce?

It is a flavorful blend of red chili peppers and garlic, combined with ingredients like vinegar, sugar, and salt. The sauce typically has a chunky texture due to minced garlic and chili pepper bits.

Why Substitute Chili Garlic Sauce?

Substituting chili garlic sauce can arise from various reasons, including its unavailability in certain locations or supermarkets, dietary restrictions necessitating alternatives with specific ingredient exclusions, personal taste preferences prompting a search for substitutes with different flavor profiles, the need to adjust the level of spiciness, and the practicality of having alternatives for emergency cooking situations when the original sauce is unexpectedly absent.

Why do we use chili garlic sauce?

We use chili garlic sauce because it adds a spicy and flavorful element to our food. It enhances the taste by combining the heat of red chili peppers with the savory notes of garlic. This sauce is versatile and can be used in various ways, such as a condiment, marinade, or ingredient in cooking. It’s a quick and easy way to give dishes like stir-fries, noodles, and soups an extra kick. 

The bits of garlic and chili in the sauce not only contribute to the flavor but also add texture, making the food more enjoyable. In essence, chili garlic sauce is a simple yet effective way to elevate the overall taste of a wide range of recipes.

8 Best Substitutes For Chili Garlic Sauce

1. Sriracha Sauce

Sriracha sauce is a fantastic substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce, bringing its own unique blend of flavors to the table. Originating from Thai cuisine, Sriracha is crafted from red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt. It boasts a harmonious combination of heat, sweetness, and tanginess, making it a versatile condiment for various dishes. 

The sauce has a smooth, pourable consistency, making it easy to use as a dipping sauce, topping, or marinade. Its bold and distinctive flavor profile adds a spicy kick to stir-fries, noodles, soups, and more. Whether you’re a fan of Thai cuisine or just looking to spice up your meals, Sriracha sauce is a reliable choice that brings a delightful punch to your favorite dishes.

2. Sambal Oelek

Sambal Oelek is an excellent substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce, offering a unique and bold flavor profile. Hailing from Indonesian cuisine, Sambal Oelek is a chunky chili paste made from crushed red chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. Unlike Chili Garlic Sauce, it doesn’t typically include garlic, but its intense heat and vibrant chili flavor make it a compelling alternative. 

The chunky texture adds a delightful crunch to dishes, and its versatility allows it to be used in stir-fries, marinades, or simply as a spicy condiment. Sambal Oelek’s simplicity and focus on chili heat make it a favorite for those who appreciate straightforward and fiery additions to their meals. 

3. Tabasco Garlic Pepper Sauce

Tabasco Garlic Pepper Sauce serves as a flavorful Chili Garlic Sauce substitute, imparting a tangy heat with a distinct garlic infusion. Produced by the well-known Tabasco brand, this sauce is crafted from high-quality red peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, and salt. It carries a balanced flavor profile that combines the spiciness of peppers with the savory richness of garlic. The sauce’s liquid consistency makes it versatile for drizzling, dipping, or incorporating into various recipes.

With Tabasco Garlic Pepper Sauce, you get the signature Tabasco heat along with the aromatic notes of garlic. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a convenient and readily available alternative to Chili Garlic Sauce. It works well in a variety of dishes, from enhancing the flavor of soups and stews to acting as a zesty addition to grilled meats. 

4. Red Pepper Flakes and Garlic Powder Blend

Creating a blend of red pepper flakes and garlic powder is a simple yet effective substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce, offering both heat and savory notes. This DIY alternative allows for customization of the spice level and flavor balance according to personal preferences. Red pepper flakes contribute moderate to intense heat, while garlic powder brings a mellow, garlicky flavor.

To make this substitute, mix red pepper flakes and garlic powder in proportions that suit your taste. You can start with a 2:1 ratio of red pepper flakes to garlic powder and adjust based on your desired level of spiciness and garlic intensity. This blend can be sprinkled directly into dishes during cooking or used as a seasoning for various recipes.

5. Harissa Paste

Harissa paste serves as an intriguing substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce, offering a unique flavor profile with North African origins. This paste is traditionally made from a combination of roasted red peppers, hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and various spices such as coriander, cumin, and caraway. The result is a bold and complex flavor that incorporates smokiness, heat, and a rich garlic undertone.

Unlike the chunky texture of Chili Garlic Sauce, harissa paste is smooth and can be easily incorporated into recipes as a marinade, dip, or cooking ingredient. It adds a distinctive North African flair to dishes, making it an excellent choice for those looking to experiment with different global flavors. Harissa paste works well in a variety of dishes, from grilled meats and vegetables to couscous and tagines.

6. Peri-Peri Sauce

Peri-Peri sauce, originating from African-Portuguese cuisine, presents a flavorful substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce. Made from African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and various spices, Peri-Peri sauce delivers a vibrant and tangy heat with a distinct garlic infusion. The sauce is known for its versatility, adding a spicy kick to a wide range of dishes.

Peri-Peri sauce is characterized by its balanced heat and tanginess, making it a suitable alternative for those seeking both spiciness and flavor complexity. It works well as a marinade for grilled meats, a dipping sauce for appetizers, or a condiment to spice up everyday meals. The garlic undertones in Peri-Peri sauce provide a savory element that complements its fiery nature.

7. Gochujang

Gochujang is a distinctive and flavorful substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce, originating from Korean cuisine. This thick and savory condiment is made from fermented soybeans, glutinous rice, red chili peppers, and salt. It boasts a complex taste that combines sweetness, umami, and a moderate level of heat, with a subtle garlic undertone.

Unlike the chunky texture of Chili Garlic Sauce, Gochujang has a smooth consistency, making it easy to mix into dishes. Its versatile nature allows it to be used in a variety of recipes, from marinades and stews to dipping sauces and glazes. Gochujang’s unique flavor profile, along with its ability to add depth and complexity to dishes, makes it a popular choice for those looking to explore Korean flavors.

8. Soy Chili Sauce

Another excellent substitute for Chili Garlic Sauce is Soy Chili Sauce. This sauce combines the umami richness of soy sauce with the kick of red chili peppers. Soy Chili Sauce provides a savory and salty base from the soy sauce, along with a moderate level of heat from the chili peppers. It’s a well-balanced option for those looking to add depth and spiciness to their dishes.

Use it in stir-fries for a flavorful sauce that coats your ingredients with a mix of saltiness and heat. Create a marinade by combining Soy Chili Sauce with garlic, ginger, and a touch of oil for meats, tofu, or vegetables. Soy Chili Sauce provides a different flavor profile compared to Chili Garlic Sauce, but its savory and spicy combination makes it a versatile option for various dishes.

How to Substitute in Specific Recipes?

Substituting chili garlic sauce in specific recipes involves understanding the flavor profile and consistency of the substitute you choose. Here’s a general guide on how to make substitutions in specific recipes:

1. Understand the Flavor Profile:

Taste the Substitute: Before using the substitute in a recipe, taste it on its own to understand its flavor nuances.

Adjust for Spice: If the substitute is less spicy than chili garlic sauce, consider adding extra heat using chili flakes, hot sauce, or another spicy component.

2. Consider Consistency:

Adjust Liquid Content: Depending on the substitute’s consistency, you might need to adjust the liquid content in the recipe. If the substitute is thicker, you may need to add more liquid; if it’s thinner, you might need to reduce other liquid ingredients.

FAQs about Chili Garlic Sauce Substitutes

Q: What if I’m looking for a smoky flavor in my Chili Garlic Sauce Substitutes?

A: Harissa paste is an excellent choice, offering a unique blend of smokiness and heat.

Q: Can I use these Chili Garlic Sauce Substitutes for non-Asian cuisines?

A: Absolutely. Many substitutes, like hot sauces or Harissa, are versatile and can enhance the flavor of dishes from various culinary traditions.

Q: Are there substitutes with a sweeter profile?

A: If you prefer sweetness, try blending hot sauce with a touch of honey or using a sweet chili sauce as an alternative.

Q: Can I freeze homemade substitutes for future use?

A: Yes, many homemade substitutes freeze well. Store in airtight containers and thaw as needed.

In Closing

In conclusion, substituting chili garlic sauce in your recipes opens up a world of flavorful possibilities, allowing you to tailor dishes to your preferences and ingredient availability. Whether you opt for the bold kick of Sriracha, the chunky heat of Sambal Oelek, the complex depth of Harissa Paste, or any of the other alternatives discussed, each substitute brings its own unique character to the table.

The key is to understand the flavor profile and consistency of the substitute, adjust quantities, and experiment with various dishes like stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces. Remember to taste as you go, allowing your palate to guide the way.