The Quick Answer
Sambal is a traditional Indonesian chili paste made from pure chilies, salt, and vinegar.Sriracha is a Thai-style hot sauce with added sugar, garlic, and thickeners.
Key difference: Sambal focuses on pure chili flavor and heat, while sriracha is sweeter and more complex. Sambal is a cooking ingredient; sriracha is primarily a condiment.
Sambal vs SrirachaSide-by-Side Comparison
Understanding the differences helps you choose the right sauce for your cooking style
Thai Sriracha
Sweet Hot Sauce
Origin
Thailand (Si Racha)
History
1930s, modern commercial sauce
Ingredients
Chilies, sugar, garlic, vinegar, thickeners
Flavor Profile
Sweet, garlicky, mild heat
Best Used For
Table condiment, dipping sauce
Texture
Smooth, pourable sauce
When to Use Which?Chef Yossie's Recommendations
Choose Sambal When:
Cooking Indonesian/Malaysian dishes - Essential for authentic flavor
Making marinades - Pure chili flavor penetrates meat better
Stir-frying - Doesn't burn like sugar-based sauces
You want pure heat - No sweetness to mask the chili flavor
Professional cooking - More versatile as a base ingredient
Choose Sriracha When:
Table condiment - Ready to use, no cooking needed
You prefer sweet heat - Milder, more approachable flavor
Dipping sauce - Perfect consistency for spring rolls, etc.
Pizza/burgers - Familiar flavor for Western palates
Budget option - Widely available and inexpensive