From mild and tangy to fiery and strong enough to make you sweat, hot sauce isn't just a condiment—it's a way of life. In fact, Ree Drummond once said, "All you need is love. And Cholula."
Whether you're drizzling it on tacos, dashing it into soups, or dousing your wings, one thing is clear: Americans take their heat seriously. But did you know that when it comes to spicing up meals, not all states are shaking the same bottle? While some areas keep to the classics, others have a fiery passion for more unique flavor.
If you're now wondering which type of spice rules your state, Instacart has answers to that burning question. They just calculated which hot sauce and chili sauce had the highest volume delivered in each state between January and September 2024 and turned that into a map. So, keep scrolling to see the go-to hot sauce brands across America. Warning: Things are about to get heated!
According to Instacart's data, the most popular hot sauce across the U.S. is Frank's RedHot. The bottle is beloved in 29 states, from Washington and Alaska to Georgia and Maine! Next up is Burman's brand, taking the top spot in seven states, including Ree's home state of Oklahoma. She would beg to differ on that one, though! "My favorite is Cholula all the way!" says The Pioneer Woman, which won four states.
Looking at some Southern standouts, Louisiana Brand takes third place. And despite its namesake, Texas Pete is the pick in only the Carolinas and Virginia. There are several states that have distinctive favorites that don't show up anywhere else, such as Tapatio for California, Tabasco for Hawaii, and 505 Southwestern for New Mexico.
And if you feel like a popular hot sauce is missing, you're not wrong! Huy Fong's Siraracha faced a shortage in previous years that kept it from being part of many Instacart orders in 2024. But don't worry, the brand is now making a comeback.
Instacart also released spicy stats on which states prefer the most heat, based on the average number of hot sauce (in ounces) purchased by customers. New Mexicans buy the most hot sauce white Alaskans and Coloradans are next in line. Over in Alabama, they buy the least amount of hot sauce. Arkansas and Florida are at the bottom of the list as well.
So, there you have it: the hottest sauces across America! The country's obsession with hot sauce is anything but mild, whether fiery, fruity, or zingy. But do you agree with your state's chosen bottle? If not, you might call that a hot take!
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
