Is there a single food out there that isn’t made infinitely more delicious by adding hot sauce? You probably put it on everything from enchiladas to egg rolls. But even though you love all hot sauces, you probably pick a favorite and stick with it whenever possible. In honor of National Hot Sauce Day on January 22, Instacart compiled its data to bring us a list of the most popular hot sauces in America, according to Food & Wine. Did your favorite make the cut?
1. Cholulah
Cholulah ranks as America’s favorite hot sauce, and it’s no surprise. The level of heat along with a delicious blend of spices complements most foods without overwhelming them — a true sign of a good hot sauce. The sauce was named for the Mexican city of Cholula, Puebla (founded somewhere between 800 and 200 B.C.E.), and wasn’t available in the United States until 1989.
2. Frank’s RedHot
Frank’s has the honor of being an ingredient in the first ever buffalo wing sauce created in 1964 by bar owner Teressa Bellissimo, yet the recipe for Franks about 100 years old. It’s still used in most classic buffalo wing sauces or buffalo chicken dip recipes, so fans say they enjoy it because it makes everything taste like buffalo wings. Frank’s flavor primarily comes from the cayenne pepper.
3. Sriracha
Sriracha’s blend of chili, garlic, and sugar give this condiment the spicy sweetness that it’s known for. It gets its name from the location where it’s made — Sri Racha. Interestingly, Sriracha is actually a twist on chili garlic sauce (not hot sauce), a popular condiment in some Asian cuisines.
Also, try this Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp recipe with Sriracha.
4. Tabasco
Tabasco has the distinction of being the oldest hot sauce on this list. It was invented in 1886 in Louisiana by Edmund McIlhenney, and the family still owns and operates Tabasco and its parent company “McIllhenny Company” today. Tabasco is named after the type of pepper that gives it its flavor — The Tabasco pepper — but the flavor is also heavy on the vinegar.
5. Tapatió
Tapitó is a more recent concoction, hailing from California. Founder Jose-Luis Saavedra started the company in 1971, though it’s unclear exactly what pepper is used for Tapitió’s trademark flavor. The ingredients list only shows “red peppers.”
For more on popular hot sauces, check out Food & Wine.
Also see, Hamburger vs. Hotdog: which is healthier?
