This spicy and sweet sriracha dipping sauce with 6 main ingredients is the only oil-free multi-purpose spicy sauce recipe you'll ever need.
If you’ve ever tried honey sriracha sauce, this simple recipe is our vegan answer, and I promise, it’s even better.
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⭐ Why this recipe works
Simple ingredients and easy to make. This sweet sriracha sauce can double as a salad dressing, burger topper, or stir-fry sauce.
It is a healthier version of creamy sriracha tahini dressing or spicy mayo without oil, nuts, or vegan sour cream.
📋 Key Ingredients, notes & substitutions
Sriracha. Was there life before sriracha? There are probably several brands at your grocery store or fridge if you like spicy foods. Stick to the classic sriracha flavor. The smoky type or sriracha bbq sauce will change the flavor profile. Check the labels to ensure it’s vegan.
Soy sauce. Use dark soy sauce or the light, lower-salt variety. Coconut aminos or other amino acids are a good substitute for soy sauce. Alternatively, Tamari is an excellent gluten-free option.
Rice vinegar. You’ll need acid to balance the sweetness, and rice vinegar gives this dipping sauce a slight Asian flare. For a citrus option, fresh lime juice could be used. Lemon juice might be too sour for this recipe.
Maple syrup. This is our honey substitute, and it’s a good one. Check out our comprehensive list of agave syrup substitutes for other options, including date syrup.
Garlic. Sriracha already has garlic, but 2 extra cloves won’t overpower this sauce. You can use ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute. I’ve not tried this recipe with onion powder, but a pinch might be interesting.
Ginger. Fresh ginger adds another layer of unique spiciness. Finely mince or grate fresh ginger root. I've not tried this recipe with ginger powder, but you can start with ½ a teaspoon and adjust if you go in that direction.
🥣 Instructions and pro tips
Equipment needed: Use a knife or garlic press to prepare the garlic cloves and a grater for the ginger (or knife). Next, you’ll want a small saucepan plus a whisk or wooden spoon. The source of heat is the stovetop.
The cooking method involves mixing the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmering for 10 minutes. Simmering is important because it reduces the liquids, thickens the sauce, and merges the flavors.
After mixing the ingredients, set the heat to low and slowly simmer the sauce. Stir the sauce a few times to ensure the ingredients aren't sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. The longer you simmer it, the more it thickens.
Once the sauce has thickened, transfer it to a small bowl and serve it warm or at room temperature.
Pro tip: Reducing intensifies the flavor. If you aren't sure of the spice level, start with a tablespoon of sriracha and add more as the sauce reduces.
💬 Frequently asked questions
You can substitute it with another chili sauce but be mindful that sriracha also has garlic with a unique and perfect balance of flavors that this recipe is built on. Sriracha is more of a chili sauce than a type of hot sauce. Frank’s red hot or tabasco sauce is not the same. The different chili peppers and black pepper used in hot sauce don't translate for this sauce.
Sriracha chili sauce comes in various brands and flavors, many of which are vegan. The sticking point for many vegans is the use of sugar which is only sometimes vegan. Look for organic sriracha, made with organic sugar, most often vegan. Popular vegan brands in the US include Ninja Squirrel and Sky Valley Foods. It's best always to check the labels and nutritional information to ensure that the sriracha you choose has a vegan designation.
🍴 What to serve with sriracha dipping sauce
There are no limits to the creative ways you can use this sauce. From classic dippers like sweet potato fries to potato chips to air fryer tofu or buffalo cauliflower wings – anything goes! You can dress up French fries, tater tots, vegan chicken tenders, or veggie balls so efficiently that the ketchup bottle will be long forgotten.
Spicy sriracha sauce clings to veggies and gives your salads or bowls a new flavor. In record time, it can dress up a bowl of adzuki or black beans. Add some steamed veggies, and it's a quick and easy lunch.
🌡️ Storage / Freezing / Reheating
Keep this tasty sauce in a sealed container or jar in the fridge for a week. Stir and let it warm to room temperature to thin it.
I don't recommend freezing dipping sauce as it will get watery and lose much of the flavor.
Although dipping sauce is delicious hot, warm, or cool, you can quickly reheat it in the microwave or on the stove on low.
📖 More dips we love
Spicy and Sweet Sriracha Dipping Sauce
This spicy and sweet sriracha dipping sauce with 6 ingredients is the only oil-free multi-purpose sriracha sauce recipe you'll ever need.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: dips & spreads
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons sriracha (or other chili sauce)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
- 2 teaspoons ginger, finely minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring it a few times.
- Taste and adjust the ingredients if desired.
- Transfer to a dipping bowl or dish and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Most, but not all, sriracha sauces are vegan. Be sure to read the labels if you want a vegan product. Organic brands are more likely to be vegan as they use vegan sugar.
- Keep dipping sauce in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for a week. I don’t recommend freezing this, as the flavor will be reduced after thawing.
Keywords: sriracha dipping sauce
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