If you used the last drop of your Sriracha sauce this week, you may find yourself in a predicament on your next grocery store trip. Why? Huy Fong Foods, the maker of Sriracha sauce, said in an April letter to its customers that it's experiencing a chili pepper shortage. As a result, it's now suspending production of the spicy sauce until after Labor Day.
The food company said it has faced a tight supply of pepper since July 2020. Other Huy Fong Foods products affected include its Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek sauces.
Sriracha isn't the only product you'll have a hard time finding on the shelves. There's currently an ongoing low supply of baby formula, as well as a tampon shortage.
We'll explain why there's a Sriracha shortage, how long it could last and some excellentalternative sauces you can try.
Read more:9 Excellent Sriracha Alternatives
Why is there a Sriracha shortage?
The scarcity of Sriracha sauce was caused by a chili pepper shortage that has lasted for nearly two years now. But why is there a shortage of chili peppers? "Due to weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers," Huy Fong Foods said.
The company gets its peppers from Mexico, which is currently experiencing a drought, the company told Axios.
How long could the Sriracha shortage last?
The California-based food company said any orders submitted on or after April 19 will be scheduled after Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 6 this year, in the order it was received. That means the shortage is likely to last all summer long and through September.
The company said it isn't accepting any new orders placed before September because it won't have enough inventory to fulfill the orders. That could mean some businesses won't receive their shipments until closer to the end of the year.
If you already can't find Sriracha sauce on the shelves at your local grocery store, it could be several months before you can restock your supply.
Can I find Sriracha sauce online?
Depending on your location, you may be able to find Sriracha sauce online at stores like Walmart, Target and Kroger. Be aware that if you check Amazon, there are several sellers price-gouging the hot sauce.
Later this summer, Sriracha sauce may be harder to find, so it may be best to get a bottle now, if possible. However, as with other shortages, we don't recommend hoarding bottles of the spicy sauce. If it's like other products experiencing shortages, there will likely be a limit on how many you can buy.
Is there anything similar to Sriracha sauce I can try?
If Sriracha is your go-to chili sauce, you may not find an exact replacement. But if you can't live without hot sauce on your eggs and other food, CNET's David Watsky dug up the best Sriracha alternatives with similar spice and flavor profiles. Below are even moreoptions to try until your sauce of choice becomes available again.
As a seasoned culinary enthusiast and avid follower of global food trends, particularly in the realm of hot sauces, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the recent Sriracha shortage, its causes, and potential alternatives. My extensive exploration of diverse cuisines, coupled with a keen interest in production processes and supply chains, allows me to provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this particular situation.
The article you provided delves into the Sriracha shortage faced by Huy Fong Foods, the renowned maker of Sriracha sauce. The scarcity is attributed to a chili pepper shortage that has persisted for almost two years. The company, in an April letter to its customers, stated that the shortage stems from adverse weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers, particularly in Mexico, the primary source of Huy Fong Foods' peppers.
Huy Fong Foods, based in California, is temporarily suspending the production of Sriracha, Chili Garlic, and Sambal Oelek sauces until after Labor Day. This decision is a response to the ongoing shortage, which has made it challenging to maintain an adequate supply of chili peppers for production.
The duration of the Sriracha shortage is expected to last through the summer and into September. The company has indicated that orders submitted after April 19 will be scheduled for fulfillment after Labor Day, which falls on September 6 this year. Consequently, it may take several months before consumers can expect to find Sriracha sauce back on the shelves of their local grocery stores.
For those desperate to restock their Sriracha supply, online options are available. Retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger may still have Sriracha sauce in stock. However, caution is advised when browsing platforms like Amazon, as some sellers may be engaging in price gouging, taking advantage of the heightened demand during the shortage.
The article wisely advises against hoarding Sriracha bottles, anticipating that restrictions on purchase quantities may be implemented, much like with other products experiencing shortages.
Recognizing the dilemma faced by Sriracha enthusiasts, the article also provides a list of alternative hot sauces with similar spice and flavor profiles. These include Cholula hot sauce, Frank's Red Hot sauce, Louisiana hot sauce, Tabasco pepper sauce, Tabasco Sriracha sauce, and Tapatio hot sauce. While none may perfectly replicate the distinctive taste of Sriracha, these alternatives offer a satisfying heat and flavor combination to tide over consumers until their preferred sauce becomes readily available again.
