While Tabasco hot sauce is a supermarket staple, there are times when you need an alternative. What other hot sauces can you use that have a similar vinegary tang? What’s a good Tabasco substitute in a pinch for cooking if you don’t have a bottle of any hot sauce handy? And where can you turn if you simply don’t prefer the strong vinegar flavor that Tabasco is famous for? Let’s break down your best options.
Tabasco is a hot pepper sauce and if you don’t have tabasco then you could use another hot or chilli sauce, such as sriracha or a Mexican chilli sauce. As the heat levels vary we suggest adding a couple of drops first, then tasting and adding more to suit your palate.
A comparable flavor: Nearly any Louisiana hot sauce
If there’s (surprisingly) no Tabasco available at your store, look at the hot sauces available and choose any labeled “Louisiana hot sauce” or “Louisiana-style hot sauce.” These include Crystal Hot Sauce, Frank’s RedHot, and the aptly named Original Lousiana Hot Sauce, among many others.
All of these hot sauces, like Tabasco, have a high vinegar-to-pepper ratio and few ingredients beyond that (typically only salt), a staple of what makes a Louisiana hot sauce what it is. And, therefore, any will work as an alternative to Tabasco when the need arises. The taste may not exactly be the same (there are definitely nuances between these sauces), but the flavor is comparable enough.
Tabasco too vinegary? Sriracha sauce
To really understand the differences between these two uber-popular hot sauces, check out our Tabasco vs. Sriracha comparison. But simply – Tabasco, with its high vinegar content, is best as a dashing hot sauce to add some Cajun-like heat and tang to a dish. Whereas, Sriracha, with its more complex flavor and thicker consistency, is more of a sauce.
The red jalapeños, garlic, sugar, and salt in Sriracha sauce are the primary ingredients delivering the flavor. And while it has a little vinegar, it is far from tangy. It’s a perfect Tabasco alternative for those that just can’t deal with that bold Lousiana-stye tang.
–> Learn More: Read Our Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Review
Homemade Tabasco Sauce
FAQ
What can I use in place of Tabasco sauce?
What is the same as Tabasco?
What hot sauces are competitors to Tabasco?
What is a substitute for Tabasco?
Green or Red chili sauce Chili sauces made from either green or red chili peppers can be added as a substitute for Tabasco. Made with tomatoes and garlic, it tastes similar and is easily added to your cooking. Both sauces share the same heat level; the only difference is in color.
What is the healthier substitute of tomato sauce?
Tomato Sauce is the most commonly used side dish with any kind of fast food like burgers, flat breads, pizzas, fries etc. Consuming too much of ketchup will lead to weight gain and even acne problems. Ketchups have artificial colour and flavour and preservatives which are not good for digestion and cardiovascular health. Other healthy alternatives for tomato sauce are: 1) Home made tomato sauce using fresh and ripen tomatoes, garlic along with salt and sugar. 2) Tomato Chutney which is freshly homemade. 3) Tomato Gravy added and spiced with garam masala to give tangy tase. 4) Thick tomato jam which is homemade.
What hot sauce can I use instead of Tabasco sauce?
Crystal Hot Sauce is another hot sauce from Louisiana you can use in place of Tabasco sauce. Aside from cayenne peppers, this hot sauce also uses vinegar and salt. In turn, it has a similar flavor profile as Tabasco sauce. Crystal Hot Sauce is hotter than Tabasco sauce.
Can you substitute chili powder for Tabasco sauce?
Though made of red chili peppers, chili powder should only be used as a Tabasco sauce substitute if you’ve got nothing else on hand. For a better mimic of Tabasco sauce flavor, you may want to add a splash of vinegar and a dash of salt to your chili powder. But again, this substitute will lack heat.