Taste Test: The Best Hot Sauces
We taste-tested dozens of hot sauces from the grocery store and online to find our favorites.
BEST OVERALL: Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
The secret ingredient in the original Buffalo wing recipe, this classic is made with cayenne peppers and spiked with vinegar. Read full review »
Tryit in:Jambalaya Supper Stuffing »
BEST MILD: Blair's Heat Collection Wasabi Green Tea
"Oooh, limey!" cooed one judge when she tasted this mild, Japanese-inspired hot sauce, featuring lime juice, green tea leaves and a hint of wasabi. Cilantro (extremefood.com) Read full review »
Try it in:Sliced Tuna Soft Tacos »
BEST MEDIUM: Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
A staple in many Thai restaurants, this thicker-than-most hot sauce boasts a garlicky punch, has a silky mouthfeel and would be great as a topper on pasta, sandwiches and pizza, or stirred into soup. (amazon.com) Read full review »
Try it in:Shrimp and Spaghetti in Coconut Broth »
BEST HOT: Captain Thom's Thai Monkey
This kickin' teriyaki won over our judges with its smoky elegance and lingering heat, thanks to wasabi, Thai chiles, ginger, sweet pineapple and peanut butter. (captainthoms.com) Read full review »
Try it in:Ginger BBQ Pork or Chicken Stir-Fry »
BEST SUPERHOT: Dave's Gourmet Hurtin' Habanero Hot Sauce
Tasters likened this hot-hot sauce to liquid pepperoni that results in "Angelina Jolie lips." Flavored with red chiles and habaneros, its hickory-barbecue taste comes from vinegar and smoky spices. (davesgourmet.com) Read full review »
Try it in:Hot-Sauce Chicken with Grilled Green Beans »
BEST DESSERT: Crazy Uncle Jester's AfterBurner Sauce
Talk about a hot fudge sundae: This gooey habanero-spiked chocolate sauce is best eaten with vanilla ice cream or pound cake, but watch out: One judge said it made her "cry like a little girl." (crazyunclejester.com) Read full review »
Try it in:Spicy Mocha Milkshake Shooters
By Ashlea Halperon | Main image photography by Boyle & Gardner
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