When it comes to adding a kick to your meals, hot sauces like Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce and Sriracha are popular choices worldwide.
Both have unique flavors, origins, and uses that set them apart. However, consumers often wonder if these two condiments are more or less the same thing.
This article aims to shed light on these two hot sauces, their similarities and differences, and whether one can serve as a substitute for the other.
So if you’re someone who loves to spice up your food and is trying to make a choice between Frank’s Hot Sauce and Sriracha, this comprehensive comparison will guide you.
What Is it, Who Founded It, And Where Is The Headquarters Based: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is a renowned hot sauce produced by the company McCormick.
This popular condiment was created in 1920 by Jacob Frank and Adam Estilette in Louisiana.
The duo perfected the unique blend of ripened cayenne peppers, resulting in the tangy and spicy flavor that this sauce is known for.
Since then, the production has changed hands several times and is currently headquartered in Maryland under McCormick & Co.
On the other hand, Sriracha, also known as rooster sauce due to its logo, is a type of hot sauce from Thailand.
It was first concocted in a small town called Si Racha (hence its name) around 1940s.
Unlike Frank’s Hot Sauce, Sriracha boasts a sweeter taste profile due to its ingredients. Huy Fong Foods, based in California and known for their iconic green-capped bottle with a rooster logo on it, introduced Sriracha to America.
What Does It Contain: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
Both Frank’s Hot Sauce and Sriracha contain a blend of ingredients that contribute to their unique flavors.
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is made with five simple ingredients: aged cayenne red peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder.
The simplicity of these components lets the strong, robust flavor of the matured cayenne peppers shine through.
On the other hand, Sriracha has a slightly more complex ingredient list. It contains chili, sugar, salt, garlic, distilled vinegar, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfite as preservatives and xanthan gum.
This combination lends a sweet-spicy taste to Sriracha that distinguishes it from Frank’s.
How Many Varieties Of Hot Sauces Does Frank’s Hot Sauce Offer?
Frank’s RedHot offers a wide variety of hot sauces to cater to different consumer tastes. Each variety differs in terms of ingredients, spiciness level, or intended use. Here is a table listing some of the popular varieties along with their key differences:
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce | The classic Frank’s RedHot sauce, made with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt. |
| Xtra Hot Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce | The same great taste as the original, but with three times the heat. |
| Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce | A tangy, buttery sauce that’s perfect for making Buffalo wings. |
| Original Thick Hot Sauce | A thicker, more viscous version of the original Frank’s RedHot sauce. |
| Buffalo ‘N Ranch Thick Hot Sauce | A combination of Frank’s RedHot sauce and ranch dressing, perfect for dipping or drizzling. |
| Buffalo ‘N BBQ Thick Hot Sauce | A combination of Frank’s RedHot sauce and BBQ sauce, perfect for chicken wings, burgers, and more. |
| Chile ‘n Lime Hot Sauce | A flavorful sauce with a kick of heat, made with chili peppers, lime juice, and other spices. |
| Frank’s RedHot Garlic Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce | A garlicky version of Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce. |
| Frank’s RedHot Mild Wings Sauce | A milder version of Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce. |
| Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Hot Sauce | A sweet and spicy sauce made with chili peppers, vinegar, and sugar. |
| Frank’s RedHot Nashville Hot Wings Sauce | A hot and flavorful sauce made with cayenne peppers, paprika, and other spices. |
| Frank’s RedHot Stingin’ Honey Teriyaki Wing Sauce | A sweet and spicy sauce made with honey, teriyaki sauce, and Frank’s RedHot sauce. |
Which Taste Better: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
Determining which sauce tastes better between Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce and Sriracha is largely subjective as it depends on individual taste preferences.
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is known for its robust and tangy flavor. The aged cayenne red peppers give this sauce an authentic, fiery kick which is nicely balanced by vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder. This sauce is ideal for those who prefer a purer, straightforward hot sauce experience.
On the other hand, Sriracha has a distinct taste that can be described as spicy but with a hint of sweetness. Its consistency is thicker than Frank’s Hot Sauce and it has a strong garlic overtone that complements the heat from the chilies. It’s well-loved by people who enjoy a blend of sweet, savory and spicy flavors in their food.
Which Is Spicier: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
The spiciness of a hot sauce is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), a scale that measures the concentration of capsaicin, which is the chemical responsible for the spicy sensation.
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce typically ranks around 450 SHU. It is known for its milder heat, which allows the flavor of food to shine through while still providing a noticeable kick.
On the other hand, Sriracha has a heat rating of about 2,200 SHU. This makes it noticeably hotter than Frank’s RedHot Original. The heat in Sriracha can be intense for some, but it’s balanced by its garlic and sweet notes.
Can I Use Frank’s Hot Sauce Instead Of Sriracha?
Yes, you can use Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce as a substitute for Sriracha. However, it’s important to remember that these two sauces have a slightly different flavor profiles, so the resulting taste of your dish might change.
Frank’s delivers a purer, tangy hot sauce flavor due to its primary ingredients being aged cayenne peppers and vinegar. On the other hand, Sriracha is spicier with a hint of sweetness and strong garlic notes.
If your recipe calls for Sriracha but you only have Frank’s on hand—or vice versa—it will still add a twist of heat to your dishes. However, if the recipe heavily relies on the unique flavors of either sauce (the sweetness in Sriracha or the vinegar tanginess in Frank’s), swapping one for another may alter the intended taste of the dish.
What Are The Different Size Options: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
Both Frank’s Hot Sauce and Sriracha are available in various sizes to suit different consumer needs, from small bottles for occasional use to larger ones for more frequent usage or commercial purposes.
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is commonly found in sizes ranging from 5 oz (148 ml) to 1 gallon (3.8 liters). This provides options for those who wish to sample the sauce, regular users, or even restaurant owners in need of larger quantities.
Sriracha, particularly the Huy Fong Foods version, offers sizes ranging from 9 oz (266 ml) to 28 oz (828 ml). They also provide a mini 1.7 oz (50 ml) keychain bottle for those who want their beloved hot sauce on-the-go.
Is It Gluten Free, Halal, Vegan and Whole 360: Frank’s Hot Sauce Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Vs Sriracha
Focusing on dietary restrictions and lifestyle choices, let’s discuss the characteristics of Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce and Sriracha.
Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce: This sauce is gluten-free and approved as kosher by The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations. There are no animal products in this sauce, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, it does not carry an official halal certification.
Sriracha: While this sauce is also gluten-free, it poses challenges for those following a strict vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. The sugar used in Huy Fong Sriracha is refined using bone char—a substance made by burning animal bones—making the sugar non-vegan and non-vegetarian. Although it doesn’t contain direct animal products, the production process might be objectionable to some vegans or vegetarians. Regarding halal certification, Sriracha does not carry one.
As for complying with the Whole30 program, neither of these sauces is officially listed as Whole30 approved since both contain either sugars or additives that do not comply with the program’s guidelines.
