Scientists have found that Chilli, the main ingredient in hot sauces, have been in use since 7000 BC, and it wasn’t always as accessible as it is now. It was used in medicine, as a currency, and also by the elites to enhance flavour. Julius Caesar probably used it in unleavened bread. Almost two thousand years after civilisation started counting the years without letters, 1807, the first hot sauce in a labelled bottle was made in Massachusetts.
Everybody knows that the right hot sauce could turn a bland, probably gross meal into a Michelin star cuisine. And with a million and one hot sauce brands out there, it could get a little tricky choosing the right one. If your latest Google search is “best hot sauce to entertain my guest on game night,” or “best hot sauce to impress a girl I like with my cooking”, you can stop now, it’s embarrassing.
There’s a lot to think about when choosing the perfect hot sauce for a meal depending on preference. Flavour, heat and spice are the big ones. With this careful selection, you’ll be cooking or eating up a storm in no time.
Tabasco
1/12
Pros
- Heat is mild, so the flavours are evident
- Known for the quality of ingredients
Cons
- A little heavy on the salt
Founded in 1868 on Avery Island, Tabasco‘s hot sauce is a treasure for the people of Louisiana, and even the world. Edmund Mcllhenny became a farmer after the confederate war. He grew Tabasco chillies on his wife’s family’s plantation farm and shortly after, he created the recipe for the Tabasco hot sauce which has now become a trademark.
During processing, the mash is stored in Oak barrels for three years, after which distilled vinegar is added, and the mixture is stirred daily for a month before bottling. So the next time you have a bottle of Tabasco in your hand, rest assured it is of the highest quality.
Origin: Avery Island, Louisiana
Price: $5.90
Marie Sharp's
2/12
Pros
- A blend of carrot flavours
- Not so thick, so it's easy to pour
- Made from unfermented vinegar, giving it a unique taste
Cons
- Somewhat on the expensive side
The recipe of this Belizean sauce crafted in 1981 contains fresh lime juice, white sea salt, garlic, vinegar, white onions, carrots, and of course red Belizean habanero peppers. It’s an explosion of mouth watering flavours.
It’s probably the only hot sauce people use on the coast of Central America. With just the right amount of heat and sweetness, this sauce goes with just about anything. Its use of unfermented vinegar makes it stand out from other hot sauces, and gives it a spot in the hearts of hot sauce lovers… and also on this list.
Origin: Belize, Central America
Price: $17
Rancho Gordo's Río Fuego
3/12
Pros
- Has the distinct flavour of roasted pumpkin seeds
- The offer free shipping for orders over $50
Cons
- Made in the same facilities with allergens like nuts
Rio fuego hot sauce tastes like Halloween with its distinct roasted pumpkin seeds and scary heat. Despite the heat, it has amazing depth in flavours and spices.
Rancho Gordo, based in Napa, California are widely known for making tasty heirloom beans, and their hot sauce goes right along with it. Don’t fret though, the sauce can be used with just about anything.
Kolohe Kid Hawaiian & Ghost Pepper
4/12
Pros
- Great for folks that are looking to test their limits for spice
- 100% natural
Cons
- Costs a buck for a little bottle
Adoboloco – which might remind you of the song in the Disney animation ‘Coco’ – is the hot sauce brand that presents Kolohe kid to the world. Based in Hawaii, this hot sauce has been bringing the heat since 2011. ‘Kolohe’ means naughty or mischievous in Hawaiian, and you’ll see why it’s the perfect name when you take a bite.
The mix of Hawaiian hot peppers and ghost peppers take a minute to hit you, but when it does, you might tear up a little, especially if you’re new to the world of hot sauces.
Origin: Hawaii
Price: $14.99
El Yucateco
5/12
Pros
- Has that extra bit of sourness to that really adds to the flavour
- You don't have to struggle to get it out of the bottle; the thickness is a-okay
Cons
- Doesn't have the expected scent of a hot sauce
Unlike most hot sauces, El Yucateco isn’t vinegar based, and it seems like a lot of people love that because it is one of the preferred brands in the United States.
Since the 60s, El Yucateco has been in circulation in Mexico, and has found its way into countries like Canada, Spain, UAE and Australia. All over the world, people appreciate the balance of sour, extreme hotness, and sweet that the brand brings.
Origin: Merida, Yucatan
Price: $2.75
Truff
6/12
Pros
- Gluten free
- Has an umami taste
Cons
- Outrageously expensive
Made in Southern California, Truff took the US and UK market by storm as soon as it launched in 2017, and the reasons are not far-fetched. The brand owners, Nick Guillen and Nick Ajlini, created a customer base even before they had any idea of the product.
The duo own an Instagram page which they initially used to post food content. This helped in garnering a huge fan base and over time, they created Truff hot sauce (black truffles being the main ingredient).
Since they were already getting quite some buzz in the food community, people ate it up, literally. Skky partners, a firm founded by Kim kardashian, bought a minority stake in the luxury hot sauce brand, and Truff has only seen an upward trajectory in stocks since then. With the marketing and taste of luxury, it’s no surprise that it makes this list.
Origin: Southern California
Price: $35
Chamoy Botana
7/12
Pros
- It is a low carb, low calorie sauce
- It is made with fruits, giving it a sweet taste
Cons
- Questionable thickness
At a young age, Veronica Garza, owner of Siete foods, was diagnosed with autoimmune disease, and because of this, her family had to cut out meals with high carbs and calories. She grew up trying to solve her problem and help others like her. She created products that catered for their specific needs. And from this venture, Chamoy Botana was born.
This sauce goes perfectly with a pregame/workout meal. With its low carb, low calorie formula, you can enjoy the spices of hot sauce without worrying about messing up your regimen.
Made with apples, dates and lime, the fruity hot sauce is one of Texas’ sweeter ones. It’s also great for kids since it has just the right amount of spice and packs a lot of flavour.
Origin: Austin, Texas
Price: $7.79
Frank's Redhot
8/12
Pros
- Mixes very well with meals
- Quite popular, so it's easy to find
Cons
- Better than most, but no outstanding quality
Frank’s was first launched in 1920, but it wasn’t until 1964 when it gained the popularity it has today all thanks to the creation of buffalo wings by Anchor Bar and Grill. The restaurant served their wings along with Frank’s Redhot sauce which increased its consumer base by a lot.
As far as taste goes, the hot sauce is pretty generic. This is not to say that it isn’t good, it is of great quality, and better than most hot sauces you’d randomly come across, but it doesn’t have that extra factor that’d make you go “Wow”.
Origin: New Iberia, Louisiana
Price: $6.28
Nando's Peri Peri
9/12
Pros
- A burst of citrus flavour coming from the concentrated use of lemon
- Great for vegetarians
Cons
- You might need to break the bank to make this a regular staple
- Can't get it at every local store
Peri Peri (African bird’s eye chillies) has its root in Mozambique, but it found its way across the borders into South Africa, and Nando used these chillies to create what is a world class vegetarian hot sauce. If there’s anything Africans are known for, it’s their ability to handle spices in their food, and this sauce is proof of that.
Not only is it hot, it has a blend of garlic and lemon that brings out an unforgettable taste, and is perfect for wings and grilled meat.
Origin: South Africa
Price: $30
Cry Baby Craig's
10/12
Pros
- Great to cook with
- They participate in building the local community.
Cons
- It's not the stickiest hot sauce you'd find.
The flavours on this one are really straight forward. Some vinegar, garlic, and habanero gives it a pretty good taste. It’s still very new but it has gotten the attention of a lot of people. And while there’s a lot of room to grow, it is still ahead of many in terms of taste.
Something interesting about the brand is the inspiration behind the name. According to Craig Kaiser, the owner, while he was brainstorming a name, his son, Craig Jr, began to cry and he had a eureka moment. The brand incorporates his life and community.
Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Price: $10
Cholula Hot Sauce
11/12
Pros
- Goes perfectly with Mexican dishes and cuisines
- One of the cheapest hot sauces out there
Cons
- Will get the job done but nothing crazy
If you like Mexican food, then you’ll probably love Cholula. Named after the oldest city in Mexico (2,500 years) the brand has spread its wings into the shores of America and is now popularly used in many restaurants.
“El sabor perfecto” which translates into “the perfect flavour” is a name Cholula has earned for itself. The mild heat and sour taste of vinegar is a delight when enjoyed with enchiladas or tacos.
The sauce has the right level of thickness (it coats perfectly) and leaves a tingly mark on your taste buds after every bite. The recipe is said to have been unchanged since its inception, so you’re kind of getting a blast into the past of hot sauces.
Origin: Mexico
Price: $4
Sacrifice
12/12
Pros
- Besides the fruity taste, the addition of maple syrup increases flavour profile
- Great on meats
Cons
- A somewhat scary design on the bottle
The habanero peppers used in this sauce were cultivated by the Mayan tribe in Central America, and they were known for partaking in ancient rituals and sacrifices which is where the name came from.
When it comes to taste, the brand is unmatched as it has a good number of individually buoyant ingredients when it comes to taste (maple syrup, apple juice, lime juice etc), and mixing them together produces a mouth watering, smokey sauce that would go perfectly on any choice cut of meat.
Also, this one brings the heat – it’s almost like fire, but the heat does not conceal the taste in any way. So if you’re thinking of a hot, spicy and sweet hot sauce for your next barbeque, Sacrifice is the way to go.
Origin: Central America
Price: $8