Ingredient hub

Sauce, Hot Chile, Sriracha

Sriracha is a smooth, thick hot sauce made from sun-ripened red chili peppers blended with vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. At 1.319 g/ml, it is one of the densest common cooking sauces—over 30% heavier than water per unit volume—because of its high concentration of ground peppers and dissolved sugars. A tablespoon of sriracha weighs approximately 19–20 g; a full cup weighs around 315 g. The thick, gel-like consistency means air pockets can form when spooning into a measure; always scrape the sides for an accurate reading. Sriracha is typically used in small quantities: glazes, dipping sauces, stir-fry marinades, noodle dressings, and as a condiment.

Add to glazes, marinades, or dipping sauces. Mix with mayo or butter for a quick spicy spread. A teaspoon goes a long way—measure by weight when precision matters.

Condiments

Viscous condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or dips tend to cling stubbornly to measuring cups. This leads to waste and messy cleanup. Weighing directly into your dish or pan is the professional, clean, and accurate method.

Storage & tools

• Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F/32°C).
• Keep the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
• Cool hot foods in shallow containers so they chill faster and more safely.
• Use an appliance thermometer to verify fridge and freezer temperatures.

Sources: CDC · FDA

FAQ

Why is sriracha so much heavier than other hot sauces?

Sriracha's density of 1.319 g/ml reflects its thick chili paste base and high sugar content. Thin vinegar-based hot sauces (like Tabasco) are close to 1.0 g/ml. Sriracha is fundamentally different in texture—it is a concentrated chili paste thinned with vinegar, not a pepper-infused vinegar—which is why it weighs over 30% more per cup than water.

How many grams is 1 tablespoon of sriracha?

Approximately 19–20 g per tablespoon, based on a density of 1.319 g/ml and a standard US tablespoon of 14.787 ml. This is noticeably heavier than a tablespoon of most thin sauces or vinegars, which weigh 15–16 g.

Does the brand of sriracha affect the gram weight?

Slightly. The USDA value (1.319 g/ml) is based on Huy Fong Foods sriracha. Other brands vary in pepper content, sugar level, and water content, which can shift the density by a few percent. For most cooking purposes the difference is negligible, but if you are baking with sriracha as a flavoring ingredient, weigh directly for precision.

All conversions for this ingredient

• Cup → g /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/cup-to-grams/
• g → Cups /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/grams-to-cups/
• Tbsp → g /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/tbsp-to-grams/
• Tsp → g /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/tsp-to-grams/
• mL → g /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/ml-to-grams/
• oz → g /en/convert/sauce_hot_chile_sriracha/oz-to-grams/