The Best Hot Sauces For Every Palate, Based On Our Taste Tests


The Best Hot Sauces For Every Palate, Based On Our Taste Tests

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Whether your hot sauce preferences lean toward the mild, you fall more into the "I like to battle my food" camp or you're somewhere in the middle, the best hot sauces excel at balancing their respective heat levels with complex flavor combinations and an acidic zing. Considering the sheer volume of hot sauces available, ranging from grocery-store caliber to speciality and high-end options, determining the best of the best, as with anything edible, of course, is an exercise in subjectivity. And that's why I included 10 picks in this list, plus two gift sets, along with tasting notes and suggestions for pairing -- so you can use this as a guide to potentially try something new that suits your tastes.

Based on expert interviews and a taste-test panel including people with varying preferences and spice tolerances, I named Cholula Original Hot Sauce the best hot sauce overall, thanks to its wide appeal and versatility. It blends native Mexican spices with árbol and piquín peppers; the vinegar takes a bit of a back seat to the slightly smoky flavor, all in one mildly spicy package. It's a condiment that can work with pretty much any sort of cuisine -- from Latin American fare to breakfast sandwiches to your standard American diner food.

There are so many other hot sauces, however, worth stocking your kitchen with as well. The winners below represent a range of flavors and heat levels, from sweet to garlicky, mild to extra spicy.

One way to determine which hot sauce to reach for is by cuisine. While most of these winning picks are quite versatile in their usability, some complement particular types of food better than others. "I always choose my hot sauce profile based on what I decide to eat," says Steve Seabury, founder of the NYC Hot Sauce Expo and creator of High River Sauces. "I love smoky, fire-roasted, savory sauces when I am eating beef but love a sweeter style of hot sauces on chicken, pork and seafood." Hot sauce flavors, of course, can be polarizing; perhaps a very vinegar-forward hot sauce or one with a fruitier profile isn't going to be up everyone's alley. In naming the best hot sauces, I considered different categories to represent the widest breadth of types and flavor profiles possible, acknowledging that some hot sauces pair with certain foods (or cocktails) better than others.

Ultimately, there's a hot sauce -- or, more accurately, multiple hot sauces -- for everyone. The majority of my picks are an affordable, shelf-stable way to zhuzh up practically any meal; you can add a little diversity to the same set of ingredients by simply pairing it with a different sauce. The results of my taste tests will hopefully lead you to finding the best one for you, your household or as a gift for loved ones. For good measure, I also included the best hot sauce gift sets, which make for a thoughtful special-occasion present for any hot sauce aficionado in your life.

Note: The heat level for each respective hot sauce below is noted in Scoville heat units (SHU); the Scoville scale is a measurement of the pungency, or spiciness, of chili peppers and other substances.

While Cholula Original Hot Sauce is a Mexican-style hot sauce -- that is, a smooth hot sauce made with a blend of pepper types that typically aren't fermented -- and thus especially shines on tacos or atop some chips and guac, it's also versatile enough to work on pretty much anything. Drizzle it on eggs, rice or even soups and marinades; I've occasionally doused my Bloody Marys with it as well. Perhaps it's a hot take that one of the mildest hot sauces on this list comes in as the best overall, but hear me out: It was a unanimous crowd-pleaser among the testers at my hot sauce taste-testing party (more on that below), and there's a reason why you'll find it in nearly every restaurant's hot sauce stash, Mexican or not.

Cholula's consistency was one of the most enjoyable we tested. It's perfectly viscous, so it stays in place without pooling, dripping down the sides of your dish or making your tortilla soggy compared to other, more watery hot sauces. Its slightly smoky, peppery flavor isn't overpowering but still adds heat -- with a blend of árbol and piquín peppers alongside Mexican spices, the vinegar appearing somewhere in the background of this mildly spicy hot sauce.

The heat never lingers, making it a great choice for those who want to add a very tolerable kick to their food. It's the hot sauce you'll always want to make sure you have in your cabinet, as it will satisfy the taste buds of hot sauce enthusiasts and those who don't love super-spicy foods alike. "While there is no one-size-fits-all in our flavorful world, I do think that having a range of heat levels in your pantry is the best way to be prepared for all kinds of meals," says Noah Chaimberg, founder and CEO of Heatonist. "Milder sauces are great to have on hand when you want to be able to add a lot to a dish without overwhelming it."

For an affordable grocery-store pick, it's one of the most flavorful and versatile hot sauces you can find. (I should note that Tabasco Brand Original Red Sauce was a close second for best overall -- it's an American classic for a reason.) Ultimately, Cholula took the prize thanks to its more layered flavor and less watery consistency. Although they were not included in our official tests, beyond the original flavor, Cholula also offers green pepper, chili lime, chili garlic (a personal favorite), chipotle, sweet habanero and tequila and lime options, with varying heat levels and flavor profiles.

If you're looking for a hot sauce that pulls out all the stops, this one from Truff, infused with black truffle, packs a flavor unlike any other hot sauce you've probably had before. The intense umami flavor of truffles certainly comes through -- the scent of truffle is quite potent at first sniff -- but thanks to the addition of agave nectar, it's balanced excellently with both sweetness and chili peppers.

With a medium-thick consistency, this one works on everything from wings to burgers; I personally enjoy it atop pasta dishes, too, in place of red pepper flakes (scandalous, I know), as I find the truffle flavor pairs well with Italian fare. You could also consider a dollop of it in some ketchup for an elevated spin. Its complex flavor profile means the truffle-ness of this hot sauce isn't overpowering, but needless to say, anyone who isn't particularly fond of truffles probably won't find it to be very appetizing. For those who do love truffles, however, Truff carries a wide array of other truffle-infused hot sauces as well as products including mayo, incredibly delicious pasta sauce and a variety of gift sets. For fans of truffles who are also fans of mild spice, this bottle is well worth its price tag -- and makes for a great stand-alone gift as well.

If there is one word that was the constant refrain among my testers after trying Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co. Pineapple Habanero hot sauce, it was "wow." This one has a bright, sweet heat -- but not too cloying -- that's unique, perhaps because its ingredients include ale. (This sauce is the collaborative brainchild between the Canada-based brand and a local Ontario brewery.) Its consistency is smooth and medium-bodied. With a medium heat level, it's a hot sauce that will win over those who like it spicy without leaving a lingering burn.

In choosing the hot sauces you'll turn to again and again, "I would say it is all about balance," says Chaimberg. "Look for sauces with ingredients that complement the meals you eat the most. Always consider the primary flavors you enjoy. This could be something smoky, tangy, sweet or pepper-forward." If you enjoy an excellent balance of heat with an equally garlicky and tropical flavor, you'll find it in this Heartbeat hot sauce, which pairs well with seafood or veggie dishes (think: fish tacos, a coconut-curry vegetable soup, stir-fries). If you're looking for something to kick your meals up a notch more than a dash of typical Tabasco or Cholula can provide, you can't go wrong with this one.

You've likely seen bottles of El Yucateco on tables at your local taqueria, and while people are typically either Team Red or Team Green, this habanero-based green sauce is a versatile option that works on dishes well beyond Mexican fare as well. While it has noticeably more heat than a Tabasco or Cholula, it's not the hottest hot sauce (though those with a low spice tolerance may still find it spicy); it provides just enough heat to tingle your taste buds without leaving a lingering burn. If you like a little kick, but not an eye-watering one, you'll appreciate the spice level of this bottle. It has a nuanced, fresh flavor accompanied by a punch from the habaneros. El Yucateco carries 13 flavors of hot sauce, if you're a fan of the classic recipes and looking for other flavor profiles at a great value.

Ghost peppers and Hawaiian chili peppers come together to create a fiery hot sauce with a flavor profile that's much more dimensional than most other vinegar-based options I tried -- which is interesting given that Adoboloco's KoloheKid is made of just five ingredients. With an almost floral smell, this tastes like a spicier, more complex and slightly smoky Tabasco sauce; it's similar in consistency and has an addictive tanginess, with the peppers taking center stage versus the vinegar or garlic.

It's tough to imagine any dish that this hot sauce wouldn't work well on -- burritos, chicken sandwiches, even doused in some soup -- as long as your palate is able to handle the heat. Adoboloco is a family-owned business that was founded in Maui, Hawaii in 2011, and its offerings include plenty of other hot sauces and barbecue sauces, too.

This classic Louisiana hot sauce has just three ingredients, but it comes through with a distinct, memorable bite that complements just about everything, from breakfast foods to wings to Cajun staples (like po'boys, oysters and seafood dishes). You can also consider it a gateway sauce of sorts, thanks to a flavor profile and heat level with wide appeal: "I have always been a big supporter of Crystal for that starter hot sauce," says Seabury. "Amazing flavor, super-mild heat and it will cover all on your food spectrum." Our testers agreed. While the thin, vinegary hot sauce may be too vinegary for some tastes, if you're a fan of Louisiana-style hot sauce, the beloved New Orleans cayenne condiment is the crème de la crème in this category.

With a pleasantly garlic-forward profile and aftertaste, Marie Sharp's Original Hot Habanero Hot Sauce is a delightfully piquant option for heat seekers. Carrots and lime juice bring a welcome brightness to the Belizean sauce. Overall, it has a harmonious balance of spice, sweetness and acidity. It elevates any dish or appetizer to become the star of the show -- so keep that in mind if you're using it on already-flavor-packed foods or dishes where one ingredient could compete. For instance, it could work especially well on something like a burrito, where no one flavor prominently stands out, potato wedges or (plot twist) even pierogies. Like most habanero-based hot sauces, the heat level is high on this one and lingers on your tongue. True pepper heads, however, won't break a sweat.

It's probably no surprise to see this classic sriracha hot sauce making an appearance on this list. Huy Fong Inc.'s sweet and tangy sriracha has garnered a somewhat cult status in the hot sauce world (sriracha earrings or key chains, anyone?). Perhaps it's the quirky, can't-miss bottle, sizable and easy to squeeze, rooster front and center -- or perhaps because it works on just about everything in your kitchen, on its own or as part of a recipe; check out this cookbook if you're looking for some inspiration.

It's mild enough to be revered by the heat-averse, garlicky enough to punch up the blandest of dishes, and its giant bottle is priced affordably. Boxes: checked. Drizzle it atop fried rice, roasted veggies, burgers and just about anything else; use it to make a honey glaze for wings; mix it with mayo for a spicy aioli. I've even used it as a dipping sauce (rather than as a drizzle) for dumplings. We love a multitasking condiment.

If you're looking for something that errs more on the flavorful-salsa side with just a bit of heat, Small Axe Peppers The Bronx Greenmarket Hot Sauce is an excellent choice. With a slightly chunky consistency, it has a sweet, garlic-forward flavor and medium acidity that makes it a great condiment to use on dishes like pupusas, beef patties, sandwiches and seafood alike. And as an alternative to traditional red pepper flakes, this one also works well on pizza. Its fresh, herby flavor is almost reminiscent of a good salad dressing, but one that provides a lasting kick of piquancy. Bonus: This hot sauce is made with serrano peppers grown in community gardens around the Bronx in New York City, and it's a collaboration between Small Axe Peppers and GrowNYC, with help from the New York Botanical Garden.

Fans of Old Bay would be hard-pressed not to love the hot sauce version of the classic Chesapeake Bay seafood seasoning. Vinegary in flavor and aroma with a noticeable kick of pepper and a hint of refreshing celery, its consistency is almost creamy without being too thick. It's a hot sauce that, like its namesake spice, would pair well with shrimp, fried fish or other seafood -- and it would be an especially good choice to add to a Bloody Mary for a dash of flavorful heat.

Yellowbird's Habanero Hot Sauce scored high marks among my panel of testers for its uniquely layered flavor -- carrots, garlic and tangerine all make a notable appearance at various points after the hot sauce hits your taste buds, capped off with a slightly citrusy punch at the end. With a spicy, well-rounded flavor that lingers, the bright, fruity sauce would pair excellently with tacos, seafood or egg dishes. But all of Yellowbird's hot sauces are deliciously complex, and for that reason, Yellowbird's Classic Variety pack is what I would consider to be the best gift set, bound to be appreciated by the hot sauce lover in your life -- even if that hot sauce lover is yourself.

Packaged with bright and quirky branding, the set includes five bottles that range from 1,152 to 54,530 SHU, with options for all sorts of palates and a fair range of spice preferences. It comes with the habanero-based hot sauce mentioned above, plus serrano, jalapeño, ghost pepper and blue-agave sriracha flavors. Choose from the set of 2.2-ounce bottles featured above, 9.8-ounce bottles for $45 or 19.6-ounce bottles for $60.

Seabury recommends Heatonist for unique experiences that all sorts of spice lovers will enjoy. And if you're looking to wow the hot sauce collector or extreme heat seeker in your life with a gift set, this one is simply the holy grail -- and will let them reenact their own version of Hot Ones at home.

The set of 5-ounce bottles range from the mild Classic Hot Ones Hot Sauce (1,800 SHU) to the try-at-your-own-risk extreme The Last Dab: Xperience (made with Pepper X, officially the hottest pepper in the world), clocking in at a jaw-dropping 2.7 million SHU. "It is definitely an experience tasting this sauce, so having some milk or ice cream nearby to combat the heat is helpful," adds Chaimberg. The set also comes with tasting notes, all housed in a giftable box; it's sure to be a long-lasting conversation piece for your recipient. Check out previous seasons' boxes here and here as well.

The Forbes Vetted team is dedicated to finding the best products on the market, testing them firsthand and delivering top recommendations to you. That includes the site's kitchen and dining coverage, where you can find taste-tested reviews of food and beverages like the best olive oils, the best cookie delivery services, the best non-alcoholic drinks in a can and more.

Over the course of several weeks, I tested all of the hot sauces that appear in this list. I also arranged a taste-testing "party" to garner feedback from people with varying levels of heat tolerance and flavor preferences to take the most well-rounded approach I could to determining winners. I first identified which hot sauces were worth tasting. In addition to considering popular supermarket products, I scoped more buzzy and direct-to-consumer brands available at specialty retailers, and bottles not often found on typical grocery store shelves.

To get an accurate sense of each hot sauce's flavor profile and heat intensity, the panel of testers and I first tasted each hot sauce on a plain cracker. We then tested the hot sauces on a variety of foods that pair well with the condiment, like wings, steamed tofu and vegetables, an Asian noodle dish, fried rice, a potato dish and several types of tacos. Over the course of the next few weeks, I continued to use the hot sauces that scored the highest marks with my testers on various meals, aiming to pair them with as many different dishes as possible. I also took into consideration past experiences with certain hot sauces I've used before and the foods they work best with.

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