8 Hot Sauces My Family Chooses Over Tabasco Every Time

Hot sauce is one of the quickest ways to make an everyday meal more interesting. In our house, it ends up on everything from scrambled eggs and breakfast sandwiches to tacos, chicken, rice bowls, marinades, and even homemade dips. Tabasco will always be a classic, but its sharp vinegar flavor and straightforward heat are not the best match for every dish.

Over time, my family has found several sauces we reach for more often. Some are smoky, some are slightly sweet, and others add plenty of heat without overpowering the food underneath. A few are mild enough for cautious eaters, while others are reserved for anyone who genuinely enjoys a serious kick.

These are eight hot sauces my family consistently chooses over Tabasco. Each one brings something different to the table and can turn a basic weeknight meal into something everyone is more excited to eat.

Frank's RedHot has been around since 1896 as the Frank Tea and Spice Company. The original Frank's RedHot sauce was released in 1920, made of cayenne peppers, garlic, vinegar, and signature spices.

Frank's RedHot has become one of the most popular hot sauces out there. This company offers a variety of hot sauces and wing sauces, including the Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce, and Dill Pickle Hot Sauce.

As the name suggests, Louisiana Hot Sauce is a brand that was originally created in Louisiana. This tasty hot sauce is made Louisiana-style by combining ground chili peppers with vinegar and salt before leaving them to age for at least a year.

If you're a fan of Louisiana-style hot sauce, you'll love the Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce. They also offer other varieties worth trying, such as the Garlic Lovers, Southwest Jalapeño, and Sweet Heat with Honey.

Sriracha is a type of hot sauce that originated in Thailand. This sauce is made from chili peppers, vinegar, salt, sugar, and pickled garlic. In the United States, when you think of sriracha, you're likely picturing the Huy Fong Sriracha sauce that has become so popular.

It's common in the US to see Huy Fong Sriracha Sauce at different restaurants. The Huy Fong Sriracha is made from a paste of sun-ripened chilies. This brand also offers a Chili Garlic Sauce, which is a thicker hot sauce with a hint of garlic flavor.

Crystal is another type of hot sauce that originated in Louisiana. The first Crystal Hot Sauce was created in 1923 when the owner discovered a hot sauce recipe in the drawer of the production company he purchased.

The original Crystal Hot Sauce is a classic choice if you're looking for a sweet and spicy sauce. Crystal also offers other sauces like Crystal Hot Sauce with Garlic, Crystal Extra Hot Sauce, and Crystal Extra Hot Buffalo Sauce.

Texas Pete is one of the most popular hot sauces in the United States. This hot sauce was first created in 1929 by the owner of a barbecue stand in North Carolina. Although the original hot sauce is still a popular choice, the company has expanded to offer other sauces as well.

The original Texas Pete Hot Sauce is a must-try if you love a medium sauce. They also offer varieties such as the Garlic Hot Sauce, Hotter Hot Sauce, and a Mexican-style hot sauce. If you want to try the different sauces, you can purchase a Hot Sauce Variety Pack from Texas Pete.

Slap Ya Mama is a Louisiana-style hot sauce that has been described as being hotter than Tabasco. Their original hot sauce is made from aged peppers, vinegar, garlic, and spices. Slap Ya Mama sauces have the perfect balance of heat and flavor.

Slap Ya Mama offers a handful of different sauces, so there's something for everyone. You can choose from the Cajun Pepper Sauce, Jalapeño Pepper Sauce, Cajun Hot Sauce, or their signature Buffalo Wing Sauce.

Cholula is another brand of hot sauce you've likely seen in the grocery store or a local restaurant. This chili-based sauce is manufactured in Mexico and has been on the US hot sauce market since 1989.

Cholula offers a wide selection of hot sauces, salsas, seasonings, and other products. Some of their popular hot sauce varieties include the Cholula Original Hot Sauce, Green Pepper Hot Sauce, and the Chipotle Hot Sauce.

Red Clay Hot Sauce was first created by Chef Geoff Rhyne when he was looking for a sauce to complement a new oyster dish. Customers loved the sauce so much that they even started stealing it from the tables.

If you want a tasty sauce with enough flavor to complement but not overpower your dish, try the Red Clay Original Hot Sauce. They also offer Carolina Hot Sauce and Verde Hot Sauce, and Marinade.