Skip to main content

How to Make Your Own Sriracha

War, a wobbly economy, the pandemic, and climate change seemingly stop at nothing. The resulting supply chain shortages have rippled through everything, causing major backlogs for things like appliances and lumber, and raising the prices for goods like bread and gas. It's disrupted our flow of champagne and now it's Sriracha's turn.

Related Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

15 minutes

What You Need

  • Jalapeño peppers (1 pound)

  • Serrano peppers (1/2 pound, stems cut)

  • Water (1/3 cup)

  • Sugar (3 tablespoons)

  • Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)

  • Garlic (3 cloves, peeled)

  • White vinegar (1/2 cup)

  • Cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon)

The culprit? Well, in the case of Sriracha, it's chili peppers. The company responsible for the iconic sauce, California-based Huy Fong, says it's not getting the number of peppers it needs. Those chili peppers come from the American southwest and Mexico, a region in the midst of a historic drought, which just set several temperature records earlier this month.

It's more of a nuisance, as we can certainly push on without the hot sauce. But part of Sriracha's appeal is its nimbleness. It's not like we are merely losing a trusty dipper to have while we watch playoff basketball or take in a Nicolas Cage movie. This is the sauce of all hours, enhancing everything from avocado toast in the morning to pizza for dinner.

Containers of Sriracha hot sauce

What Does a Sriracha Shortage Mean?

In short, it's bad news for hot sauce enthusiasts. As the months unfold, consumers are likely to run into limited if not nonexistent Sriracha shelves at their local stores. Related spicy condiments will surely feel the heat, too, as stores will be unable to keep up with demand amid a particularly poor spring crop.

The folks at Huy Fong have their fingers crossed for a bumper crop come fall. In the meantime, we have to get through summer. That means some rationing, perhaps a little online wheeling and dealing with those who've hoarded the stuff, and if you're feeling extra motivated, making your own version of the sauce at home.

How to Make Sriracha

Granted, this recipe assumes you can get your paws on peppers, which are in high demand right now. Yet, depending on where you live or if you have access to your own garden or agricultural cooperative, you may be in luck. Here's a recipe from Food Fire Friends that mimics the beloved sauce. Don't forget to ration it while we wait on the next round of fresh peppers.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Fermentation Time: 3-5 days

Yield: 8-12 servings

Step 1: Place the jalapeño and serrano peppers with the water, garlic, cayenne pepper, sugar, and lemon juice, and blend until smooth.

Step 2: Transfer the mixture into a large glass jar and let it cool in a dark place for three to five days, brushing down the sides with a spoon once a day. The mixture will begin to bubble and ferment. Make sure to rewrap the mixture after each scraping.

Step 3: Once the mixture is bubbly and has sat for three to five days, pour it back into the blender and blend it with vinegar until smooth. Discard the remaining pulp, seeds, and skin left in the strainer.

Step 4: Transfer the mixture into a small saucepan. Bring your sauce to a boil over medium heat and stir often for 5 to 10 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken, so choose your desired thickness.

Step 5: Let the sauce cool to room temperature and it will continue to thicken. Transfer the sauce to jars and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

Be Supply Savvy

While the shortage of the most popular hot sauce out there is causing waves, more will certainly follow. Let this be a wake-up call to start your own food preservation programs at home (pickling and sauces), preparing your place for much more real emergencies ahead, whether they're climate-related issues or otherwise.

There's no harm in having a lot of good nonperishables and related gear at the ready as we wait for the inevitable, whether that's a hurricane, earthquake, or shortage of a pantry staple like olive oil.

There will be shortages, but you can get through it all with a little extra work at home. Now that you know how to make one of the planet's most adored hot sauces, you've got the momentum to take on other condiments as well, should you need to. With some homemade Sriracha in your back pocket, you won't ever stray too far from that sweet, tangy, garlic-y goodness.

Editors' Recommendations

Your guide to reducing inflammation: 7 essential tips
Learn about the causes of, and solutions to, inflammation
man talking to doctor diagnosis

Chemical reactions constantly take place in the human body. This is referred to as the biochemical reaction process that is needed to sustain life. It's also known as metabolism, but this is more to do with chemical reactions in the cells that help convert food into energy that the body can utilize to carry out various bodily functions.

Inflammation is an essential biochemical process that has positive and negative effects on the human body. It can be part of the healing process following infection or injury, or it can cause conditions such as arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. But what is inflammation, what causes inflammation, and how can it be reduced in the body?  
What is inflammation?

Read more
The 5 best ways to cook Lil Smokies, the perfect appetizer for any gathering
Lil smokies: These snacks may be little, but they're packing big time flavor

No matter if it's game day, or a Saturday backyard picnic, when it comes time to serve an All-American meaty treat, we suggest you look no further than the sure-fire people-pleaser, Little Smokies (AKA Lil' Smokies).  Aside from vegans and vegetarians, we can't think of a single person who would be disappointed to see a piping hot bowl of Little Smokies, complete with various dipping sauces.

These bad boys are super easy to make and are great on their own. However, if you're looking to level-up your Little Smokie game, here are some easy recipes that will have the crowd cheering.

Read more
Benefits of ginger: 5 reasons why you should add it to your grocery list today
Learn how ginger could be an essential superfood for your diet
Ginger on cutting board.

All over the world,ginger is consumed in many ways; these include as a spice, in teas and soups, and more! No matter how you choose to enjoy the superfood, it cannot be denied that there are many benefits of ginger. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, there are five significant ways that ginger can positively affect your health.

It doesn’t require a lot of ginger to make a difference, either! Three to four grams of ginger daily is optimal for the average healthy adult. Any more than this can lead to gastrointestinal distress and heartburn. So as long as you stay within the guidelines, you can include ginger in your diet in various ways and reap the many health benefits it provides.

Read more