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Sriracha

Sriracha is a hot sauce or chili sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sriracha is a hot sauce or chili sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. The name comes from Si Racha, Thailand, and the sauce became widely popular through both Thai versions and later international brands, especially in the United States. Sriracha is common in Canadian grocery stores and restaurants, especially in Asian and fusion cuisines, and it is a familiar pantry condiment for many Canadian households.

Origin and naming

Sriracha takes its name from Si Racha, Thailand. Sources describe early versions of the sauce as originating in Thailand in the early-to-mid 20th century, with some accounts linking it to Thai producer Thanom Chakkapak.

Ingredients and style

Sriracha is typically made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. It is known for a balance of heat, sweetness, tanginess, and garlic flavour.

Commercial popularization

The sauce became especially familiar outside Thailand through Huy Fong Foods' version in the United States. That product helped turn sriracha into a widely recognized pantry condiment and restaurant sauce.

Uses in food

Sriracha is commonly used as a table sauce, dipping sauce, and ingredient in dishes, sauces, and drinks. It is also used in flavoured snack foods and other processed products.

Key facts

  • Sriracha is a spicy condiment made from chili peppers and common seasoning ingredients.
  • The name is derived from Si Racha, a coastal district in Thailand.
  • One Thai-origin version was first produced in the 1930s.
  • The American brand popularized by Huy Fong Foods became widely known from the 1980s onward.
  • Sriracha is used as a table condiment, dipping sauce, and flavouring ingredient.
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Canadian context

Sriracha is common in Canadian grocery stores and restaurants, especially in Asian and fusion cuisines, and it is a familiar pantry condiment for many Canadian households.

Frequently asked questions

What is sriracha?
Sriracha is a hot chili sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.
Where does sriracha come from?
The name comes from Si Racha in Thailand, and the sauce originated there before becoming internationally popular.
Is sriracha one specific brand?
No. It is a style or type of sauce, though the term is often associated with the Huy Fong Foods version.
What does sriracha taste like?
It is typically spicy, garlicky, tangy, and slightly sweet.
How is sriracha used?
It is used as a condiment, dipping sauce, and seasoning ingredient in many savoury foods.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sriracha
    Supports: Basic definition, ingredients, pronunciation, and origin summary.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/sriracha
    Supports: Definition, Thai origin, ingredients, and common culinary uses.
  3. NPR — https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/01/16/681944292/in-home-of-original-sriracha-sauce-thais-say-rooster-brand-is-nothing-to-crow-ab
    Supports: Thai origin, Si Racha connection, and contrast with the U.S. branded version.
  4. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/sriracha-david-tran-huy-fong-immigration-food-history-aapi-2022-12
    Supports: Huy Fong Foods popularity in the United States and immigration-linked history.