Other than sambal oelek, you can go for chili paste, crushed chili flakes or even cayenne pepper to replace sriracha. Although these substitutes may not be hot enough, neither do they have the same thick consistency as Sriracha, yet will serve the same basic purpose.
WHIPPING UP DELICIOUS SPICY DISHES WITHOUT HOT PAPRIKA
If bell peppers have the same scientific classification as cayenne pepper, are bell peppers not spicy? This compound goes to a chemical compound capsaicin. This chemical is thought to be the sole reason why jalapeños are hot and bell peppers are not. Bell peppers do not have capsaicin. Capsaicin attaches itself to the mucous membranes in our mouth, which in turn produces the sensation of hot flashes. The amount of heat in your mouth will vary greatly depending on the type of chili you have eaten. Peppers are ranked according to their heat, or the amount of capsaicin they contain, on a scale known as the Scoville Scale. Capsaicin concentrations are given a number on the Scoville heat unit scale. Bell peppers have no capsaicin, so they don't have a Scoville heat unit, so they're at the bottom of the Scoville scale.



Make the Switch
Sriracha is a multi-purpose sauce. It can be used in a variety of cuisines, from pasta, seafood and more. But when you’ve run out of this magical hot elixir, go for sambal oelek. Sambal oelek is hands down the best substitute for the thick sriracha sauce packed with heat. It is wildly popular in major grocery stores and it packs a similar punch in the heat department. It is made of much simpler ingredients than sriracha itself. It just has one drawback - you have to add garlic powder to it to get close to the same taste.
Is Paprika Good for You?
Don’t stop there! Feel free to get creative and use your homemade paprika seasoning in soups, stews or roasted meats.