Are you following the Whole30 diet? You may be wondering if your favorite bottle of hot sauce, sriracha, is compliant.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the ingredients in sriracha sauce and determine whether or not it is Whole30 compliant.
We will also provide a list of Whole30-compliant sriracha sauces as well as hot sauces that you can enjoy while on the diet.
Is Sriracha Whole30 Compliant?
The spicy tang of Sriracha sauce can jazz up any dish, but when you’re adhering to the Whole30 diet, you may wonder if this full-flavored sauce is allowed.
The answer isn’t that straightforward and depends largely on the particular brand and ingredients of the Sriracha.
A number of mainstream commercial brands incorporate sugar into their Sriracha sauces.
Given that traditional recipes for this heat-bringer also often use added sugars, such products would not be considered Whole30 compliant.
But does this mean you’ll have to bid adieu to Sriracha while on Whole30?
Not necessarily.
There are certain brands that create their sauces without sugar or choose natural sweeteners like coconut aminos or dates as substitutes, which could make your bottle of Sriracha acceptable within the constraints of Whole30.
Looking for guarantee?
In that case, whipping up your own homemade Sriracha could be a fun and flavorful solution.
With Whole30-friendly ingredients such as red jalapeno peppers, vinegar, garlic, salt, and perhaps coconut aminos or dates for sweetness (and tomato paste if you wish), you can control what goes into your sauce.
There are also some pre-prepared brands out there that tick all the Whole30 compliancy boxes.
We’ll dish out all the details about those in the next section.
What Popular Brands Of Sriracha Sauce Are Whole30 Compliant?
Navigating your way through the maze of available Sriracha sauces while keeping to Whole30 can be tricky, but there are a few compliant brands out there that add flavor without breaking the rules.
One such brand is True Made Vegetable Sriracha.
This Whole30 compliant sauce takes advantage of natural ingredients like tomato puree, jalapeno, butternut squash, carrots, garlic powder, distilled vinegar, onion powder, spinach, salt and cayenne pepper. The outcome is a somewhat runny texture with a distinctly vinegary kick.
Another standout choice is New Primal Sriracha Tahini Dressing. This Whole30-friendly variant adds an interesting twist to the standard Sriracha sauce as it leans into tahini dressing elements too.
Made with water, vinegar, tahini, extra virgin olive oil, coconut aminos, sea salt, tapioca starch, garlic powder, cayenne pepper mash, lemon juice concentrate, xanthan gum, black pepper and dill along with ascorbic acid for preservation; this sauce offers a unique blend of spicy heat and subtle tahini notes.
If you’re looking for something closer to regular Sriracha but not strictly Whole30 compliant due to its use of honey as a sweetener then Steve’s PaleoGoods Sriracha Sauce is worth considering.
The sauce’s composition includes water, tomatoes roasted red peppers apple cider vinegar honey, Korean red pepper and sea salt; delivering a satisfyingly rich and thick texture along with smoky undertones rounded off with a hint of sweetness.
Whole 30 Sriracha Substitutes
If you’re finding it tough to source a Sriracha sauce that adheres to the Whole30 guidelines, or if you simply want to venture out and try something different, there are several alternatives out there.
1) Tabasco
This classic hot sauce is known worldwide for its tangy spice that can liven up an array of dishes.
Its simple ingredient list keeps it well within Whole30 rules and the flavor profile provides an easy replacement for Sriracha’s unique heat.
2) Stadnyk’s Hot Sauce:
This is another good option to keep in mind. Renowned for its robust flavor and all-natural ingredients, this could be a great substitute if you’re seeking a change while sticking to the Whole30 diet.
3) Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce:
It’s one of those hot sauces that manages to balance potent cayenne pepper heat with the right amount of tang, adding depth and complexity to your meals. Best of all, it’s Whole 30 compliant.
4) Louisiana Hot Sauce:
This is a sure bet for those craving a fiery kick. It’s simple yet potent ingredient list complies with Whole30 standards, making it an excellent substitution for Sriracha.
5) Crystal Hot Sauce:
This is another Louisiana-style sauce, and is also notable for its tangy flavor and well-rounded heat profile. It’s an amazing addition to your pantry and conveniently compliant with your Whole30 diet.
6) Cholula:
This offers a milder flavor than some other hot sauces but still delivers an appealing spice that combines beautifully with a wide range of dishes. Cholula keeps it clean with its ingredients, ensuring it’s safe for Whole30 participants.
7) Lastly on our list is Sky Valley’s Sambal Oelek:
This Indonesian chili paste packs a gorgeous punch of flavor in every spoonful. Its minimal ingredients ensure compliance with the Whole30 rules, while offering up something a little different from traditional hot sauces.
What Hot Sauces Are Whole 30 Approved?
There are several hot sauce options available that add a fiery flavorful kick without violating the Whole 30 diet guidelines.
- Frank’s Red Hot Original is a prime choice for those seeking that trademark spicy tang. Its simple yet flavorful ingredient list makes it a safe and delicious option for Whole30 dieters.
- Tabasco Original is another classic go-to. Renowned globally for its unique vinegary taste and sharp spice, Tabasco adds an electrifying jolt to any dish and aligns perfectly with the Whole30 rules.
- Cholula Original is perfect for those who prefer their heat with a bit of a smoky undertone. Its unique blend of piquin and arbol peppers combined with a mix of signature spices ensures compliance with your Whole30 commitment while tantalizing your taste buds.
- Tessemae’s Hot Buffalo Sauce is another great option too, with a recipe packed full of natural ingredients and an irresistible spicy zing reminiscent of classic buffalo wings. The sauce provides an exciting twist to standard hot sauces while remaining undeniably Whole30-friendly.
- Yai’s Thai Ginger Lime Hot Sauce is a vibrant sauce that combines the zingy freshness of lime with the aromatic bite of ginger, all backed up by a rewarding level of heat. It’s an exciting option for those wanting to add a Thai-inspired kick to their meals and is fully compliant with Whole30 rules.
- Yai’s Thai Chili Garlic Hot Sauce is another wonderful option. This powerful blend fuses fiery chili with aromatic garlic to create a sauce that can transform any meal into a flavor-packed delight — all in line with Whole30 guidelines.
- For those reminiscing about the tangy heat of buffalo wings, New Primal Noble Made Hot Buffalo Sauce might be just what you need. This sauce manages its delicious buffalo flavor without relying on non-compliant ingredients, making it a savory win for anyone following the Whole30 diet.
- Siete Traditional Hot Sauce brings all the fire of classic Mexican hot sauces while keeping its ingredient list strictly compliant with Whole30 rules.
- Siete Habanero Hot Sauce, famous for its fiery heat and fruity flavor profile, brings all the taste of traditional Mexican cuisine without compromising on Whole30 principles.
- Rao’s Homemade Arrabbiata, also known as Fra Diavolo Sauce is an Italian sauce that brings a spicy kick to dishes with its blend of tomatoes, garlic and red pepper flakes, all while maintaining compliance with your Whole30 lifestyle.
It’s important to stay vigilant about what you’re consuming while sticking to the Whole30 diet.
Always check ingredient labels before making a purchase – even if it’s a product or brand you’ve bought before.
Manufacturers can change their recipes at any given time, so it’s always best to double-check and make sure every sauce you choose aligns with your dietary commitment.
Is Sriracha Paleo?
If you’re adhering to a Paleo diet and craving that distinctive Sriracha zing, you’re in luck.
Although traditionally, Sriracha may have ingredients that don’t jive with a Paleo lifestyle, many versions of this flavorful sauce do align with Paleo principles.
At its core, Sriracha is composed of vinegar, peppers, and garlic – all natural and Paleo-friendly ingredients.
The caveat arises when purchasing store-bought brands as some manufacturers might include preservatives or added sugars in their recipes. As you probably know, these are no-go’s on the Paleo diet.
To ensure your Sriracha sauce aligns with your dietary goals, consider opting for trusted paleo-approved brands or take matters into your own hands and whip up a homemade version using only Paleo-friendly ingredients.
A few recommended brands include True Made Foods Original Veracha and Vegetable Sriracha, TRUFFLIN Sriracha, Fix Hot Sauce’s Sriracha Sauce, Blue Agave Sriracha Hot Sauce by Yellowbird and Organic Sriracha Hot Sauce also by Yellowbird.
These options deliver the heat and flavor synonymous with traditional Sriracha while keeping it clean and compliant with your Paleo lifestyle.
Is Yellowbird Sriracha Whole30?
Yes, Yellowbird Sriracha is Whole 30 compliant.
This particular brand offers the spicy kick and unmistakable flavor of traditional Sriracha without any non-compliant ingredients.
This means no added sugars or preservatives – commonly found in many hot sauces but are out of bounds on the Whole30 diet.
Yellowbird’s version of Sriracha is crafted using a blend of organic ingredients that include jalapeño peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, dates, raisins, salt, tangerine juice concentrate, and lime juice concentrate.
This composition makes it not only flavorful but also a safe bet for anyone following the Whole30 diet.