Our gold standard for study? Lee Kum Kee’s version (if you’re just too lazy to read on, you can buy a jar here). A close study of various ingredients—some more chemical than others—brought me back to a core list of ingredients…

The extra ingredients used in sriracha dilutes the sauce which makes it slightly less spicy than the chili-based sambal oelek. Sriracha tends to be sweeter with a hint of garlic whereas, all you can taste in sambal oelek is the rich chili and vinegar flavor.

So, how do you use crushed red pepper flakes to substitute for paprika in your recipes? You will need to add one-third of the amount to the same amount of paprika required in your recipe.

Hot Sauce Around The World

Where Does Chili Powder Fit In?

You may have come across “chili sauce” as an ingredient for your next great recipe find. But this term is just about as generic as can be in the world of spicy food. What is chili sauce, exactly? And what would be a good chili sauce substitute if you don’t have what’s called for in the pantry? Let’s review your top chili sauce alternatives, as well as one commonly used, but not recommended.

If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue use immediately. It is particularly important to stop using any products containing curcumin and call your local emergency services if you feel any wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or swelling of the lips.

In rare cases, allergic reactions to paprika and bell peppers can occur, causing symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Individuals who experience these symptoms after consuming paprika or bell peppers should seek medical attention immediately.

This is unlike a Sweet Chili Sauce, which is a Thai sweet chili sauce great with Asian cuisine.

Keep the temperature low and steady, around 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius), to avoid cooking the peppers. Let them soak up that smoky goodness for about 3 hours. Once the smokin’ time is up, remove the paprika from the smoker and put it to a dehydrator for the final drying process.

Simply replace your paprika with the same amount of hot sauce available in your pantry or condiment rack, and you're good to go!

Additionally, capsaicin oleoresin is used in the production of pepper spray, a non-lethal self-defense tool that can temporarily incapacitate an attacker by causing intense irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.