El Yucateco, Heat: 5/10
If you were to start a hot sauce collection, these should be first on the list. El Yucateco is the shit!
Yellowbird Habanero, Heat: 5/10
This sauce is very similar to Sirracha for me (in consistency and flavor). It has a soft citrus backbone to bring out the true habanero flavor. Highly versatile.
Dirty Dicks Hot Sauce, Heat: 5/10
The flavor is sweet but not too sweet, very well balanced. It has banana, mango, and raisin, and you can taste them all along with a really nice warm heat that floods the whole palate.
Marie Sharps Habanero, Heat: 6/10
Another favorite of the hot sauce community. This is a super versatile sauce. If you want a sauce to keep at work that will go on pretty much anything from pizza, to fast food, to…whatever, and still has respectable heat, this would be the one.
Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce, Heat: 3/10
While Sriracha is better as a topping, chili sauce is better as an ingredient. One step above Sriracha in terms of heat.
Crystals Hot Sauce, Heat: 4/10
If you like a vinegar based hot sauce you will love this. It packs just enough punch to please spicy food fanatics and it isn’t overkill for those in the family who think ketchup is spicy. Use it on tacos, dip it in fries, use it on ribs, Crystals is super versatile.
Torchbearer Garlic Reaper, Heat: 8/10
This one is not for rookies. The heat is significant to say the least, but what’s really amazing is just how tasty it is. Mustard, garlic, vinegar flavors alone and combine them, wow.
Heartbeat Hot Sauce, Heat: 5/10
It has a lightly sweet, garlic flavor that isn’t overpowering and a good heat to it.
Mike’s Hot Honey, Heat: 1.5/10
For anyone that has a sweet tooth and wants to add a slight kick to their foods, this is the sauce to go with.
Secret Aardvark, Heat: 5/10
A favorite among the hot sauce community for its versatility. This sauces goes good with anything!
Adoboloco Hamajang, Heat: 7/10
The smoke, vinegar and garlic are very distinct and well combined to make it very versatile. Nice burn as well.
Queen Majesty Scotch Bonnet And Ginger, Heat: 5/10
This is such a lovely bright sauce. Medium building heat with nice bold ginger taste.
Pepper Plant Chunky Garlic, Heat: 2/10
This is the ultimate condiment for garlic lovers! What it lacks in heat, it more than makes up for in flavor. Really great on eggs!
Valentina Salsa Picante, Heat: 3/10
You won’t walk into a restaurant in Mexico without seeing a bottle of this on the table. It has tons of flavor with a nice kick and won’t overwhelm a novice.
Weak Knees Gochujang Sriracha, Heat: 2/10
Weak Knees kicks Sriracha up a notch by incorporating the flavors of Korean chili paste Gochujang. A lot of great flavors, heat is minimal.
Hellfire Fiery Fool, Heat: 9.5/10
If you like playing with fire, look no further. You need to be a hot sauce veteran with 3 tours of duty to fuck around with this sauce. You’ve Be Warned!
Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity, you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.