So you’ve run out of your favorite Tabasco sauce and need something to add a kick of spiciness and flavor to your dishes. No worries!
Here are 12 Tabasco sauce substitutes that you might find similar to the taste of Tabasco. So, which are they? Keep reading.
The best substitutes for tabasco sauce are Cholula, sriracha, Asian chili garlic sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili oil, and others. These options have spicy and tangy flavors similar to the famous Tabasco sauce.
For those who may need to become more familiar with Tabasco sauce, it’s a hot sauce that originated in Louisiana and is made primarily from Tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt.
It’s a versatile sauce that goes well with various dishes, such as burritos, pizza, sandwiches, meat marinades, and cocktails.
But if you can’t find Tabasco sauce or want to switch things up, check out these substitutes for Tabasco sauce. So, let’s get started and learn about each of the substitutes.
Tabasco Sauce Substitute
Here is the list of Tabasco sauce substitutes that you can use while making any spicy recipes.
1. Cholula
If you are looking for the best substitute for Tabasco sauce, I recommend using Cholula. This sauce is incredibly flavorful and adds a perfect spicy kick to your dishes.
Cholula has a different flavor profile that makes it stand out in recipes. It’s made with a blend of pequin and arbol peppers, which gives it a unique smoky taste with just the right amount of heat.
The sauce is best for someone who prefers milder sauce. It goes well with various dishes such as tacos, burritos, and pizzas.
You can also use it as a marinade for meat dressing and salads. You can easily find this sauce in grocery stores and online.
2. Sriracha
One of the hot and spicy sauces that have people’s hearts is Sriracha sauce. It’s another fantastic substitute for Tabasco sauce, adding a more tangy flavor to the food.
The sauce has a slight heat and adds a proper balance of sweetness and spiciness to the food.
It’s made of garlic, chili, and vinegar. This sauce option is excellent for a marinade for chicken, turkey, or other types of meat.
Moreover, the sauce is also suitable for stir-frying or using it as a dipping sauce.
3. Asian Chili Garlic Sauce
If you are looking for a hot sauce with a unique flavor, then this Asian chili garlic sauce will be your next sauce addition. Compared to Tabasco sauce, this sauce has a prominent garlic flavor that adds depth to any dish.
This sauce has chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and sugar. This sauce also has cornstarch, a thickening agent for your dishes. You can easily make this sauce at home; it will be a fresh sauce for your recipes.
4. Worcestershire Sauce
Now let’s look at another substitute for Tabasco sauce. Worcestershire sauce is different from Tabasco sauce. It has a savory, umami taste with a slight sweetness and sour undertone.
On the other hand, tabasco sauce is tangy and spicy and adds a vinegary kick to your food. Worcestershire sauce contains vinegar, chili, pepper extract, molasses, anchovies, and garlic.
This sauce is less spicy than Tabasco sauce but has more salt. So, you need to adjust the ingredients of your dish accordingly. This sauce will go great with meat, BBQ sauces, and broth.
5. Chili Oil
Take your dish’s spice level to another level with chili oil. It’s made using hot chili peppers, oil, and spices flavors like garlic, ginger, and spices. Your recipe’s result is flavorful, giving you a spicy kick.
You can use it as a marinade for meats, toss it with noodles, or drizzle it over rice dishes for an added flavor.
You can find it at most Asian grocery stores or make it at home by infusing oil with your favorite chili peppers and seasonings.
6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a spice primarily used in recipes to add heat and depth of flavor. It is made from dried and ground cayenne chili peppers and is often used as a substitute for Tabasco sauce.
Cayenne pepper is an excellent substitute for Tabasco sauce because both provide a similar heat level. Cayenne pepper ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 on the Scoville scale, a measure of spiciness.
In addition to adding heat, cayenne pepper adds an earthy flavor to dishes. It has a slightly sweet and slightly bitter taste.
Moreover, cayenne pepper also has several health benefits. It contains capsaicin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
You can use cayenne pepper in marinades, rubs, sauces, and dips to add heat and flavor to various dishes.
7. Ketchup
Let’s talk about ketchup, one of the most popular condiments in the world. Ketchup is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be an excellent substitute for Tabasco sauce.
It’s a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory. The tomato base provides a rich, umami flavor that pairs well with various dishes.
Whether you’re having a juicy burger, crispy fries, or a grilled cheese sandwich, ketchup is a perfect accompaniment.
Ketchup can be used in many recipes beyond the typical burger and fries combo. It’s an excellent ingredient for sauces and marinades, like in a homemade barbecue sauce or a sweet and sour glaze for chicken. You can also add it to stews and soups to give them a depth of flavor.
8. Texas Pete
Texas Pete is a hot sauce that has been around since 1929, and it has a loyal following among hot sauce lovers. Texas Pete is a good substitute for Tabasco sauce as it has a similar heat level.
Both sauces are made with cayenne peppers, which give them a spicy kick without being overwhelmingly hot.
However, Texas Pete has a milder flavor than Tabasco sauce so it might be a better choice for those sensitive to spiciness.
9. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
Frank’s red hot sauce is tangier than Tabasco sauce. This sauce is made from peppers, vinegar, and salt. This sauce is used as a staple sauce in many United States homes.
While using Frank’s red hot sauce, note that its consistency is a bit thicker than Tabasco, so you may need to adjust the amount you use accordingly.
Frank’s red hot sauce is excellent as a condiment on burgers, sandwiches, and eggs, but it’s also a key ingredient in many recipes.
10. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is a more spicy condiment than Tabasco sauce. It’s made of chili peppers, vinegar, salt, spices, and seasonings. Some hot sauces may have other flavor ingredients, such as garlic too.
Hot sauce is more readily available than Tabasco sauce. You can use it for marinating chicken, beef, or pork. Moreover, you can also use it in soups, stews, and dishes like burritos, bowls, and sandwiches.
11. Habanero Hot Sauce
Habanero hot sauce is a popular substitute for Tabasco sauce. It has a spicy, fruity flavor similar to Tabasco sauce but is typically much hotter.
Habanero hot sauce is often used in Mexican and Caribbean cuisine and is a great way to add a spicy kick to any dish.
It can be used as a substitute for Tabasco sauce in any recipe, but it should be used in moderation as it can be pretty spicy.
12. Salsa Picante
What if you find yourself without a bottle of Tabasco and craving that zesty heat? Enter Salsa Picante, a versatile and flavorful alternative that can be a worthy substitute. Salsa Picante is typically made with chili peppers, vinegar, spices, and tomatoes.
It has a smoky, spicy flavor similar to Tabasco sauce but slightly milder. You can use salsa picante for tacos, burritos, pizza, soups, stews, and marinades.
When using salsa picante in recipes, ensure the heat level is different from tabasco sauce.
Short Recap Of Tabasco Substitutes
Here is a quick recap of the Tabasco sauce substitutes.
Best Tabasco Sauce Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture –
- Cholula
- Asian Chili Garlic Sauce
- Chili Oil
- Ketchup
Best Tabasco Sauce Substitutes That Are Easily Available –
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- Texas Pete
Tabasco Sauce Substitutes Should Be Least Considered –
- Worcestershire Sauce
How To Use A Tabasco Sauce Substitute In A Recipe
12 Tabasco Sauce Substitutes To Try
Ingredients
- Cholula
- Sriracha
- Asian Chili Garlic Sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Chili Oil
- Cayenne Pepper
- Ketchup
- Texas Pete
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Habanero Hot Sauce
- Salsa Picante
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, 12 tasty substitutes for Tabasco sauce. I’ve given you various options with different heat levels and flavor profiles so you can find one that suits your tastes.
If you’re looking for a substitute closest in flavor to original Tabasco, I’d recommend going with Cholula, Sriracha, or Asian Chili Garlic Sauce. They provide a similar tangy, spicy kick that Tabasco is known for.
Now that you’re armed with all these Tabasco stand-ins, you can return to making your favorite spicy and savory dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a good substitute for Tabasco sauce that is less spicy?
Try Asian chili garlic sauce, ketchup, or Cholula. They provide the authentic flavors of Tabasco sauce.
What is a good Mexican hot sauce alternative to Tabasco?
Cholula is a wonderful Mexican substitute for Tabasco. It’s made from arbol and piquin peppers and has an earthy, tangy flavor with medium heat.
What Asian hot sauce can I use instead of Tabasco?
Sriracha and chili garlic sauce are popular Asian alternatives to Tabasco. Sriracha is garlicky and spicy, made from Thai chili peppers. Chili garlic sauce also provides heat, garlic, and rice wine vinegar notes.
I can’t handle much spice. What’s the mildest Tabasco substitute?
For a very mild Tabasco alternative, try tomato ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. They add flavor to dishes with little heat.
