Is there a Sriracha shortage? Good news! The time when Sriracha sauce was hard to find and super expensive is over. Before, it used to be less than $5, but it went up to $30 because there wasn’t enough and everyone wanted it. People even begged on social media, borrowed, or took it from restaurants to get their spicy fix.
It is believed that things are better now. Sriracha is back on the shelves, and we’re not sure why the shortage ended, but it’s not a big worry. You can find it online again. If you can’t, you can try other spicy sauces instead.
Sriracha sauce is that fiery, bright orange sauce you might have seen in a clear bottle with a green cap featuring a proud rooster on the label. People often call it “rooster sauce.” But what exactly is Sriracha, and why do people love it so much?
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Why is Chili pepper out of stock?
The company has been facing the chili pepper shortage since July 2020. Huy Fong Foods gets all its chili pepper from Mexico and California. These places and other states of the U.S. have been experiencing drought recently. The weather conditions are not supportive of pepper crops leading to the shortage of chili pepper.
“Unfortunately, this is out of our control, and without this essential ingredient, we are unable to produce any of our products,” the company said. The shortage of chili pepper is not only affecting sriracha production, but the production of Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek sauces has also been affected. All new orders are on hold until the chili pepper comes in stock again.
People are warned about Sriracha Summer Shortage
People are missing spice this summer. Due to Sriracha sauce shortage lately, people cannot get one from stores and online websites. Sriracha is a part of everyone’s daily life routine. People ask if they can replace or switch the sauce for a while.
Michael Chau, co-owner of the restaurant Pho Viet in Washington D.C., said that the prices got higher as the shortage hit the grocery shelves. He decided to shift to a different brand but did not carry on with the thought. “But people, they are used to the taste right now. So when they taste it, they’ll know right away,” he said.
People are advised to make the sauce at home till the real sriracha comes in stock. People can also try other products like spicy mayo for a change.
Will Sriracha be in stock soon?
Huy Fong Foods has been experiencing a chili pepper shortage since July 2020. This shortage leads to the suspension of the summer sale of Sriracha sauce. People are not able to buy sriracha this summer. The company assured us that the shortage would end by September.
All the new orders are on hold. The units will be in stock after labor day in September, i.e., September 5, 2022. “We are still endeavoring to resolve this issue that has been caused by several spiraling events, including unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest,” Huy Fong Foods said in a statement to NBC News, adding: “We hope for a fruitful fall season and thank our customers for their patience and continued support during this difficult time.”
What is Sriracha?
First, it’s not just called “rooster sauce”; its real name is Sriracha. Sriracha is a hot sauce that comes from Vietnam and Thailand. It’s bright red and used in many dishes, like noodle soup and chicken wings. It’s made from red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt, and sugar. In 2022, you could find Sriracha in many grocery stores and cookbooks.
Huy Fong Foods, the company that makes Sriracha, had some issues with its factory in California in 2013. People got worried there might be a shortage of Sriracha. If you’re new to this spicy sauce, here’s a quick guide to catch you up on what makes Sriracha unique and more about it. First, let’s find out how to pronounce Sriracha!
How Do You Pronounce Sriracha?
Sriracha sauce is pronounced ‘See-rah-Jah.’
What Is The History Of Sriracha?
The Story of Sriracha Sauce. Let’s talk about how Sriracha sauce came to be. It has an excellent history!
- Thanom Chakkapak in Thailand:
A lady named Ms. Thanom Chakkapak in a town called Si Racha in Thailand had a tasty idea in 1949. She started making a yummy chili sauce with garlic and shared it with friends and family. They loved it, and she decided to sell it, naming it Sriraja Panich. It wasn’t precisely like today’s Sriracha, but it was on its way to becoming famous.
David Tran’s Adventure:
In 1975, a man named David Tran from Vietnam started making his hot sauce. He came to the US on a ship called Huy Fong and noticed many Southeast Asian people in California. He sold his sauce from his blue van using baby food jars to share a taste of home. In the 1980s, he built a more extensive facility and created today’s Sriracha. He named it after the ship and his company, Huy Fong, using the rooster logo to represent his birth year.
Getting Famous:
David shared his sriracha along the California coast, especially in cities with many Southeast Asian folks. Even without fancy marketing, it became super popular. By the mid-2000s, sriracha was a big deal, and everyone loved it. The hot sauce market grew a lot, more than other sauces.
So, when you grab that red bottle of sriracha, think about its start and how it became a favorite flavor worldwide!
How Did It Get To America?
In the 1980s, David Tran moved from Vietnam to America. Then, he started making a sauce that reminded him of the one he loved back home. This became the Sriracha sauce we know today. Americans liked it a lot, and now you can find it in many places, not just Asian restaurants.
What Does It Taste Like?
Sriracha tastes spicy and a bit tangy with a hint of sweetness. It also has a strong garlic flavor and is thick, like ketchup. Different brands may taste different, but they’re usually similar.
Are There Any Other Different Brands of Sriracha Sauce?
Sriracha has multiple brands, not just the famous ‘rooster sauce.’ Just like ketchup, different companies make it. Here are some of the top brands to try:
- Shark Brand Sriracha Chili Sauce (from Thailand, loved by PokPok’s Andy Ricker)
- Kikkoman Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (USA)
- Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (USA)
- Trader Joe’s Sriracha Sauce (USA)
- Dragonfly Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (Thailand)
- Sriraja Panich (Thailand)
- Thai Kitchen (Thailand)
- Polar Sriracha Chili Sauce (Thailand)
- Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Chili Sauce (USA)
Why Was There a Sriracha Shortage?
The Sriracha shortage in the United States has been a worry for a few years. Let’s talk about why this yummy hot sauce has been complex to find:
Supply Chain Issues:
The company making Sriracha, Huy Fong Foods, had some problems with the farms supplying them. One central farm, Underwood Ranches, had been giving them peppers for a long time. But they disagreed about money, and they stopped working together. Even though Underwood Ranches won some money in court, they had to pay back some,
Changing Suppliers:
After not working with Underwood Ranches, Huy Fong Foods started getting peppers from new farms. But bad weather, like drought and poor conditions, messed up the pepper crops in California, New Mexico, and Mexico, where they get peppers now. This made the Sriracha shortage even worse.
Impact on People:
Because of all this, people couldn’t find Sriracha easily, and some tried to buy it online for a crazy high price, like $52 on Amazon. Things are getting better now. But it shows how tricky it is to balance getting enough sauce with dealing with farm and weather problems.
So, in short, the Sriracha shortage happened because of fights with suppliers and tricky weather. This shortage is leaving fans wanting that exceptional spicy taste!
How To Deal With Sriracha Shortage?
Sriracha sauce was hard to find because there wasn’t enough of it. Here are some ideas to deal with the Sriracha shortage:
Get Peppers from Different Places:
The leading company, Huy Fong Foods, couldn’t get enough peppers because of problems with the weather. Companies should get peppers from different places to avoid getting stuck if something goes wrong with one source. Signing long contracts with just one supplier can be risky, especially for things like sriracha that depend on the weather.
Make Your Sriracha:
If you like cooking, you could make sriracha at home. This way, you won’t have to worry about stores running out, and you get to make your spicy sauce.
Try Other Hot Sauces:
While waiting for sriracha to return, you can try different hot sauces. There are lots of options to keep your love for spicy food going. Just remember, there are ways to handle spicy situations with some creativity!
Is Sriracha Making A Comeback For Spicy Sauce Fans?
Yes, Sriracha’s comeback can be good news for spicy sauce lovers! The shortage of Sriracha that made it hard to find and super expensive is improving. It was tough to get for a while because there wasn’t enough, and the prices went high, up to $30 a bottle. People did crazy things like asking for it on social media, borrowing it, or even taking it from restaurants.
But now, Sriracha is back in stores! We’re still determining why there wasn’t enough Sriracha, but the company that makes it, Huy Fong Foods, says it had to do with bad weather in 2022. The unique chili peppers they use come from places like California, Mexico, and New Mexico, and they had some severe droughts because of climate change. Even though things are improving, Huy Fong Foods says they still can’t make as much Sriracha as they want. When everything will be back to normal depends on things like the weather and if there will be more droughts this year.
So, if you’ve been missing your favorite spicy sauce, it looks like it’s coming back!
How Is Sriracha Made And What Makes It Tasty?
Sriracha is a super tasty hot sauce that many people love. Let’s find out how it’s made:
What ingredients do you need:
- Chili Peppers: These make Sriracha spicy!
- Distilled Vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor and keeps it fresh.
- Pickled Garlic: Gives it a garlic kick.
- Sugar: Makes it a bit sweet.
- Salt: Makes the flavors better.
How it’s made:
- Prepare Peppers: Clean and chop the chili peppers (including seeds).
- Blend: Mix peppers with garlic, brown sugar, salt, and water until smooth.
- Store: Put the mix in a big glass container and cover it.
- Fermentation (Optional): Some recipes ferment the mix for three days to make it tastier.
- Texture: Sriracha should be smooth.
Different kinds:
- Thai Sriracha: In Thailand, it’s tangier and runnier.
- Huy Fong Foods Sriracha (US): Popular in the US, it has a rooster logo and is made with jalapenos. People use it on burgers, noodles, and more.
Next time, try using Sriracha on your noodles or spring rolls; think about the tasty magic behind it!
How Do You Know If Your Sriracha Isn’t Good Anymore?
Here are some ways to check if your Sriracha isn’t good anymore:
- Look at It: If your sriracha turns brown, it might not taste as good.
- Smell It: Give it a sniff. It probably needs to be fresh if it smells weird instead of spicy.
- Touch It: Check how it feels. It might not be at its best if it gets thicker or chunky.
- Watch for Mold: If you see any mold or strange things growing in it, it’s time to throw it away.
Even though sriracha usually stays suitable for a long time because it has vinegar, if it looks, smells, or feels different, it’s better to get rid of it.
How To Keep Homemade Sriracha Fresh?
If you make sriracha at home, here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Keep It Cold: Put your homemade sriracha in a closed container in the fridge. It will be suitable for 2 to 3 months there. The cold keeps it tasting good and stops it from going rancid.
- Freeze It: If you want it to last even longer, freeze your sriracha. Please put it in small containers or ice cube trays and freeze it. It can stay good in the freezer for six months to a year. Take out only what you need and let it thaw.
- Check It: Always use your senses to see if the sriracha is still good. If it smells weird, looks strange, or has mold, throw it away. Freshness is important! Remember, homemade sriracha doesn’t have preservatives like store-bought ones, so enjoy it while it’s still yummy!
Is Sriracha A Spicy Sauce, And How Does It Compare To Ketchup And Other Hot Sauces Nutritionally?
Here you can check the nutrition info for Huy Fong Sriracha sauce per teaspoon (5g):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Total Carbohydrates: <1g
- of which sugars: <1g
- Protein: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sodium: 80mg
Does Sriracha Have Tomatoes?
Sriracha doesn’t have tomatoes in its traditional recipe. It’s not the same as ketchup. Sriracha is spicy and mainly made from chilies, while ketchup is sweet and tomato-based.
Sriracha uses a red jalapeno-hybrid chili pepper, rated 1,000-2,500 Scoville heat units. It’s less spicy than some hot sauces, like Tobasco.
Compared to hot sauce, Sriracha is thicker, a bit sweeter, and less tangy. Tobasco is runny, more Cajun-flavored, and desirable, with an average Scoville rating of 2,500-5,000.
So, Sriracha has a unique taste and is not as hot as other hot sauces!
Sriracha Recipe Fun: Ready to Spice Up Your Meals?
Make your meals exciting with these delicious and easy Sriracha recipes. Get ready for some lip-tingling goodness!
Avocado Toast with Eggs and Sriracha:
Spice up your mornings with this colorful and protein-packed avocado toast. Fry some eggs, mash avocado, layer it up, and drizzle with fiery sriracha.
Sriracha Bacon Wrapped Onion Rings:
Take regular onion rings to the next level! Wrap them in salty bacon, dip them in a honey and sriracha glaze, bake, and add an extra layer of gooey, spicy goodness. A perfect side dish!
Spicy Beef Lettuce Cups:
Add a touch of heat to your healthy beef lettuce stir fry. Roast the beef in the oven, stir fry with veggies, and serve with spring onions, chopped cashews, and lime wedges.
Sriracha Braised Brisket Sandwiches:
Enjoy hearty sandwiches with tender brisket braised in soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha. Slow-cooked to perfection, sriracha adds depth of flavor at every step.
Sriracha Buttered Shrimp:
It is a simple and tasty dish of buttery, spicy shrimp. Toss the shrimp in the sauce and serve it sizzling hot with crusty bread to mop up the goodness.
Devilled Lobster Tails:
Make a quick and delicious seafood appetizer with succulent lobster tails in a creamy sriracha mayonnaise. Perfect for a dinner party and ready in just 20 minutes.
Grilled Tofu Skewers with Sriracha Sauce:
Vegan and spicy! These tofu skewers are perfect for your barbecue. Glaze the tofu and veggies with sriracha before grilling, and use the leftover sauce for dipping.
Hungry for more? Don’t miss out on three tasty sriracha chicken recipes, including wings, breasts, and thighs. Enjoy your flavorful adventure!
Ways to Enjoy Sriracha
Sriracha is fantastic because you can use it to make your food spicy and tasty!
- As a Sauce: You can dip your food in Sriracha or squeeze it on like ketchup. It was made for dipping!
- With Meat: Sriracha makes meat dishes super yummy. Use it in barbecue sauces, glazes for chicken wings, or mix it with honey for a sweet and spicy taste.
- In Drinks: For grown-ups, you can add a little Sriracha to a drink like a bloody Mary for extra spice. You can also try it in regular tomato juice.
- In Sauces and Dips: Make your favorite sauces and dips more exciting by adding Sriracha. It mixes well with creamy things like sour cream or mayonnaise.
- With Eggs and Dairy: Try Sriracha with your breakfast eggs, mac and cheese, or cheesy sauces for nachos. It adds a special kick!
- In Soups: Put Sriracha in Asian soups like pho or ramen. It’s also good in creamy soups like chowder.
So, think about trying Sriracha in one of these cool ways next time you eat!
Where Can You Find Sriracha Sauce?
Looking for Sriracha sauce in the US? Here are some places to check:
Online Stores:
- Amazon: You can find Sriracha on Amazon, but watch out for sellers charging too much.
- Walmart: Check Walmart’s website for Sriracha options.
- Target: Explore Sriracha’s choices on Target’s online store.
- Walgreens: Walgreens also has Sriracha.
Local Stores:
- Condiment Aisle: Look in the sauce section of your regular grocery store.
- Asian or World Food Aisle: Sometimes, you can find Sriracha in the part of the store with Asian or world foods.
Now you know where to find your favorite spicy sauce!
What Are The Differences Between Red Cap and Green Cap Sriracha Sauces?
The red cap and green cap Sriracha sauces from Huy Fong Foods have some differences:
Taste:
- Red Cap: The classic Sriracha has a mix of spicy, tangy, and garlic flavors.
- Green Cap: The green-capped Sriracha is more about the garlic taste, with a bit less spiciness.
Ingredients:
- Red Cap: Made with red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt.
- Green Cap: Mainly uses green jalapeño peppers, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Spiciness:
- Red Cap: It’s moderately spicy and liked by many.
- Green Cap: It’s less spicy and good for those who don’t want too much heat.
Uses:
- Red Cap: Use it in stir-fries, noodles, soups, sandwiches, or as a dip.
- Green Cap: It’s excellent for adding garlic flavor to marinades, dressings, or topping.
Appearance:
- Red Cap: Comes in the iconic red bottle with a green cap.
- Green Cap: The bottle is primarily green with a green hat.
Both are yummy, so you can try and see which one you like best!
What Are Some Alternative Spicy Sauces If You Can’t Find Sriracha?
If you like spicy sauce but can’t find Sriracha, here are some other options you can try:
Tapatio:
- Made in California, it’s slightly spicier than Sriracha but not too hot.
- Good on eggs, tacos, rice dishes, and more.
- Available in most grocery stores.
Sweet Chili Sauce:
- It is similar to Sriracha but sweeter and less spicy.
- Perfect for dipping rolls, shrimp, chicken, and more.
- Brands like Thai Kitchen or Trader Joe’s are good choices.
Harissa:
- North African paste with dried chiles, spices, and herbs.
- Add to hummus, ketchup, stews, or use as a sauce.
- Look for it in jars at grocery stores.
Fly by Jing Zhong Sauce:
- It is a versatile sauce with soy sauce, sesame oil, chiles, and spices.
- Use it on pot stickers, eggs, burgers, and sandwiches.
- Could you find it in grocery stores or online?
Cholula:
- A Mexican-style hot sauce with a smoky, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor.
- Great on soups, tacos, rice, eggs, and more.
- Widely available in grocery stores.
Tabasco:
- It is a classic Louisiana hot sauce, slightly more desirable than Sriracha.
- Perfect for marinades, dips, pizzas, tacos, and more.
- A kitchen staple found everywhere.
Gochujang:
- A Korean paste with a sweet, spicy, and funky flavor.
- Great for marinades, sauces, noodles, and more.
- Available in stores or online.
Chili Crisp:
- A trendy crispy condiment with peppers, garlic, and spices.
- Try it on eggs, avocado toast, potatoes, pasta, and more.
- Available in various brands at many stores.
Chili Oil:
- Dark red oil with Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and spices.
- Common in Chinese restaurants, good on dumplings, noodles, and more.
Sambal Oelek:
- A chunky Indonesian chili paste spicier than Sriracha.
- Use it in stews, soups, noodles, and more.
- Available in grocery stores or made at home.
Peri-peri Sauce:
- Made with African peri-peri peppers, it is hotter than Sriracha.
- Use it in marinades or as a topping for various dishes.
- Brands like Nando’s or Trader Joe’s offer options.
These alternatives offer a variety of flavors, so you can find one that suits your taste!
Final Words On “Sriracha Shortage”
The Sriracha shortage, which means there isn’t enough spicy sauce, might end soon. The company that makes Sriracha, Huy Fong Foods, has difficulty getting enough peppers because of problems like weird weather. This is making it challenging to make as much Sriracha as people want. But don’t worry; there are some intelligent ways to make sure we don’t run out in the future.
One way is for the companies that make Sriracha to get peppers from different places, so if there’s a problem in one area, they can still make enough sauce. It’s like having a backup plan. Another fun idea is for people to make their own Sriracha at home. That way, we can always have some spicy sauce whenever we want. If you need to make it yourself, you can try other spicy sauces while waiting for more Sriracha. There are lots of tasty options out there!
Even though the leading Sriracha brand is having some troubles, many other brands are making similar yummy sauces. So, soon enough, we’ll have all the Sriracha we need for our favorite spicy dishes. Whether we make it at home or try different brands, we can look forward to enjoying that tasty and spicy kick in our meals without any problems.
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