Monday was National Hot Sauce Day, and the folks over at online grocery platform Instacart took that opportunity to list off the top hot sauces people are buying from them and what the preferences are by state. Below is the full map which shows you what sauces people are buying the most across the country.
Now take into account this is based strictly on orders through Instacart, so I don’t know how good of a representation this is of actual hot sauce preferences, but it is somewhat interesting to look at. I find it curious that Frank’s RedHot is the top sauce in Texas as I would have thought that Tabasco, Tapatio, or Cholula would take that spot. But, Frank’s does a whole lot of marketing, so that certainly helps to get their sales up. I am also surprised that Tabasco is Number 1 in only two states–Louisiana and Hawaii–but that one does still take the Number 3 spot overall in sales across the country (see list below).
Several of the sauces listed on the map are not ones I do not recognize, and it appears that these are local brands that are popular in those areas. Nanita’s Finest Green Chili Hot Sauce took the top spot in Colorado while Monroe’s Red Chili Sauce was the winner in New Mexico. I’m not familiar with either of these, but I am intrigued and want to give them a try. Huy Fong’s Sriracha won in Iowa (of all places) while two other srirachas I am not familiar with–Sky Valley and OX Brand–won in Washington/Oregon and Wyoming respectively. Those are also sauces I am putting on my list to try out.
Below is the Top 10 list from Instacart based on overall sales across the country. I recently put out a list of my ten go-to sauces, and you can see my comments on the sauces from the Instacart list below:
1. Frank’s RedHot: This is a good sauce and it is my second favorite among the Louisiana-style sauces that are widely available behind Tabasco. My preference is the Extra Hot version, but the regular works fine as well.
2. Cholula: You can’t go wrong with this Mexican-style sauce and it landed at Number 10 on my list. I wish they had an extra hot version of the original, but I’m fine with this as is.
3. Tabasco: This is the king of hot sauces and you will find it at Number 1 on my list. You will also find it in almost every restaurant in Texas, so again I am surprised to see Frank’s over this one in the state. Tabasco is one of the oldest hot sauces made in this country and one that I reach for more often than not.
4. Texas Pete: This is a Louisiana-style sauce made in North Carolina with Texas in its name; go figure. It is a decent sauce for what it is, though I prefer Frank’s. Still, I have no problem spritzing some of this over my gumbo or red beans and rice if there is no other option.
5. Burman’s Chili Sauce: This is one I am not familiar with and apparently it is similar to Heinz chili sauce. It seems more like a ketchup with a kick based on the ingredients list (just like Heinz), and I am guessing it appeals to those who prefer a sauce without too much heat.
6. Tapatio: This is the best of the Mexican-style sauces in my opinion and it is at Number 5 on my list. I always have a bottle of this on hand, and it goes particularly well with breakfast tacos.
7. Louisiana Hot Sauce: Yet another Louisiana-style sauce (thus the name), I find this one very high on the vinegar and salt. But I am still happy to use it if this is all that is available.
8. Huy Fong Sriracha: I’m surprised the king of Sriracha sauces is this low on the list, though maybe the recent shortage impacted that. I have this at Number 2 in my rankings, and it is one that I reach for quite often, whether I am adding it to Asian food or other dishes.
9. Valentina: Another Mexican-style sauce, I rank this third next to Tapatio and Cholula when comparing sauces in this style. I prefer their extra hot version, but the original is a good sauce for those not looking for much heat, and it does bring some good flavor.
10. Crystal: Louisiana-style sauces rule this list as this is the fifth entry in that particular variety. Like Number 7 above, this goes overboard on the vinegar and salt in my opinion, but it works well for what it is.