The Sriracha Phenomenon

Excellent and currently one of the most popular chilli sauces in the world. We have a recipe for homemade Sriracha!

What is Sriracha

Sriracha is a spicy sauce of bright red colour which is most commonly associated with Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. It is made with red chillies, garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar and can be used as a condiment, flavouring or perhaps a dip for anything from noodle soup to chicken wings.

History

The origin of sriracha, and the inspiration for its name, can be found in the Thai town of Si Racha, where a similar sauce was invented in the 1930s by a housewife named Thanom Chakkapak. This sauce, known as Sriraja Panich, became the best-selling hot sauce in Thailand and soon various imitations were being produced throughout Asia. Sriracha was a relatively late arrival in Western markets until the 1980s, when Vietnamese immigrant David Tran began making and selling a hot sauce in the US that reminded him of his favourite back home. This sauce was sriracha as we know it today, and it didn't take long for the popularity of this sauce to skyrocket.

Types and taste

In general, the taste and consistency of sriracha varies by manufacturer. The base consists of red chillies, garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar. Western types are slightly milder, Asian types are spicier. In general, sriracha is spicy with a sweet taste, pungent garlic notes and a ketchup-like consistency. Today, a large number of flavours are produced, both Asian types such as sriracha with wasabi, kimchi and western versions such as sriracha and mustard or perhaps black pepper. Very popular is also sriracha mayo which is sriracha mixed with mayonnaise.

Uses

One of the best things about sriracha sauce is its versatility. Here are just some of the ways you can use it to add spiciness and sweet, tangy flavor to your food.

As a dip

Sriracha was originally created as a dip, and its red color looks great in a small bowl alongside your main dish.

Add it to sauces

Use sriracha to give your favourite sauces extra flavour. Its tangy flavor makes it the perfect balance to creamy flavors like sour cream, cream cheese and mayonnaise.

Add to soups

Sriracha is a popular addition to Asian soups such as pho, ramen or chicken noodle soup, and also works well in coconut milk-based soups.

Use with meat

The sweet and spicy flavour of sriracha is perfectly suited to meat and is popularly used in barbecue marinades and sauces or combined with honey to make a glaze for chicken wings and ham. Use sriracha to flavor your favorite meatloaf or burger recipe or to take your favorite recipes to the next level.

Use with eggs and dairy products

Because sriracha works so well with creamy flavors, it pairs perfectly with dairy products. Try it on eggs, cheese or nacho cheese sauce.

Use it in drinks

Add a drop of sriracha to a Bloody Mary for extra flavor. You can also try it in regular tomato juice.

Homemade sriracha recipe.

Ingredients

450g Red jalapeño peppers,

225g red serrano peppers,

4 cloves of peeled garlic

3 tablespoons Light brown sugar

1 tablespoon salt

⅓ cup Water

½ cup Distilled white vinegar

Preparation

Step 1

Roughly chop the jalapeños and serrano peppers and place in a blender, including the seeds, discarding the stems.

Step 2

Add the garlic, sugar, salt and water to the blender and process until smooth.

Step 3

Pour the mixture into a large glass container and cover with plastic wrap.

Step 4

Let ferment in a cool, dark place for 3 to 5 days, stirring every day, scraping down the sides and replacing the plastic wrap.

Step 5

When bubbles begin to appear, pour the mixture back into the blender along with the vinegar and blend until smooth.

Step 6

Press the mixture through a fine sieve with the back of a spoon into a small saucepan. Discard the seeds and fibre left in the sieve.

Step 7

Place the casserole on the stove and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook over low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to the desired consistency. Remove any foam that forms on the surface.

Step 8

Remove from the heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a jar and refrigerate.

Useful Tips

As with local versions, the ratio of ingredients can be varied. Some people prefer a hotter sauce, others a more garlicky one. It can also be seasoned with the aforementioned black pepper or other spices such as ginger, etc. Mix with mayonnaise and the result will be a delicious homemade mayo sriracha. If you don't have the courage to make it at home, you can of course find a variety of Sriracha sauces in our shop.