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17 Best Ways to Use Hot Sauce
For the hyper-competitive macho man (or woman) who wants to be the best at everything, we get it. Who doesn’t love a winner? Just like you wouldn’t settle for a mediocre burger or a just-good-enough beer, you should never settle for anything less than the best seasonings—hot sauce included. Brush up on your skills and check out the 17 best ways to use hot sauce and you’ll be the best hot-saucer around in no time.
- Mezcal Margarita Lovers.
Skip the sour mix and spice up your margarita with a dash of hot sauce. Start with your favorite mezcal (tequila’s more mature, smoky-flavored cousin), then mix in a splash of orange juice, a squeeze of lime, a pinch of sugar, and hot sauce (we suggest the complementary flavor of our Tequilapeno Hot Sauce here) to taste. Shake it up and serve over ice for a refreshingly complex take on the margarita that will take any fiesta from “fine” to “phenomenal.”
- Hummus With A Twist.
While there’s nothing wrong with the traditional hummus, pita and veggie snack platter, per se, why not take things up a notch for a mouthwateringly scrumptious mezze? Simply mix your favorite hot sauce into your homemade hummus (or swirl it into that tub of store-bought stuff—no judgment here) and you’ve got your own chili pepper hummus to impress your guests (or snack on solo).
- Marinate It Up.
For the hardcore grillmaster, using the same old marinades night after night can get boring. Don’t fall into a flavor rut—pour some savory hot sauce into the mix to boost the flavor of your chicken, steak, pork, or whatever’s on the menu du jour. Those ribs you make that fall off the bone? They could taste even better with some hot sauce and BBQ sauce mixed together—just sayin’. There are really no rules with this one.
- For Movie Nights.
Whether it’s a family movie night or a Netflix-and-chill situation, you’d better be sure popcorn is on the menu. Impress your guests with your unique popcorn seasonings by mixing a dash of hot sauce with melted butter before drizzling it on. Prefer your snacks on the sweet side? Opt for the dessert-inspired Cinnanero Hot Sauce and toss in some bits of dark or milk chocolate for a sweet-spicy-savory treat that’ll keep ‘em coming back for more.
- Put the “Devil” in “Deviled Eggs”.
Deviled eggs are a classic dish ready for a unique twist. Go ahead and add the heat with a couple of dashes of hot sauce stirred into the yolks to make this traditional hors d'oeuvre even better! If you really want to show off, top ‘em with a piece of bacon. Warning: serve this once and you’ll be the designated egg-deviler for all future gatherings.
- Into Your Salads.
Mix a dash of hot sauce into your favorite homemade or store-bought salad dressing for a tasty twist that will take your greens to new heights. Whether you’re craving a creamy ranch dressing, a citrusy vinaigrette, or something on the sweeter side, you can always take the flavor to the next level with a few drops (or drizzles) of your favorite hot sauce.
- Swirl Into Your Favorite Soup.
Whether chili, cioppino, hot and sour soup, or manhattan clam chowder calls your name, you can add extra flavor with a few drops of hot sauce. Bonus: If you’ve got a case of the sniffles, a dose of the hot stuff (may we recommend some Doc Habanero Hot Sauce here) will help clear up your sinuses—just what the doctor ordered!
- Buffalo Cauliflower.
There’s a new way to enjoy buffalo wings while also getting a dose of veggies. While you may not be fooling any hardcore wing connoisseurs, Buffalo Cauliflower is a perfectly acceptable appetizer for the more health-conscious crowd. Just coat the cauliflower in your favorite hot sauce and dredge it in a mixture of breadcrumbs and herbs for all your favorite flavors in one place. Bake, fry, or air-fry those bad boys, then serve them with an extra side of hot sauce and a bowl of ranch or bleu cheese for a drool-worthy hors d'oeuvres.
- Buffed Up Benedict.
There’s nothing quite like perfectly poached eggs with Canadian bacon served atop a crispy English muffin and drizzled with a silky hollandaise sauce. If you’re attempting to whip up this culinary feat yourself, you’ve got some serious chef’s chops. Show off your skills and step it up a notch by adding a few drops of your favorite medium hot sauce to your hollandaise or drizzling a tomato-based hot sauce over top as a garnish. Even if you’re not quite ready for the big leagues, you can enjoy this one anywhere brunch is served (we suggest you BYO hot sauce for maximum effect, though).
- Spice Up Your Guac.
You’ve got your avocados, tomatoes, onions, lime, and maybe some cilantro (unless you’re one of those “eww-cilantro-tastes-like-soap” people…we may never understand you), so you’re ready to get your guac on, right? Not so fast! Don’t forget the secret ingredient that’ll make this one crave-worthy condiment—jalapeno hot sauce. Whether you use a dash or a drizzle, your guac will go from ordinary to “extra” when it gets a dose of the hot stuff. Grab your chips and dig in!
- Calling All Bloody Mary Enthusiasts.
If you’re a fan of bloody marys, you might already know that you can make this beverage even better by swirling in some of your favorite hot sauce. The key here is to use a flavor-filled sauce that’ll really accentuate the tomato-celery base (ahem…this is THE SAUCE works well here). Give it a try, there’s no better way to start your day (or night) than with a caliente cocktail.
- Hot Sauce + Mexican Food = Perfect Combination.
Since hot sauce was invented in Mexico, it only makes sense that hot sauce is the perfect accompaniment to just about any authentic Mexican dish. Drizzle some Aztec-inspired hot sauce over your burrito, enchilada, or tacos de lengua for a Montezuma-approved meal.
- Chicken Wings, But Make it A Dip.
If buffalo wings are your first love, this dip will probably be a close second. Buffalo chicken dip is so delectable, you’ll be craving it morning, noon, and night! Combine some cream cheese, sour cream, shredded chicken, and a medium or x-hot hot sauce in a crock pot, and dive into your new favorite dip with pita chips, tortilla chips, or salty crackers.
- Hot Sauce On Oysters.
Hot sauce and oysters are a classic combo, whether raw, grilled, or steamed. Serve the dynamic duo as-is or with a squeeze of lemon and a salty cracker for an oyster-rific option.
- Drop It On Your Eggs.
Whether you’re an early bird or you prefer your breakfast for dinner, don’t forget to wake up your tastebuds with a dash of the spicy stuff. Just be warned: If you get into the habit of adding hot sauce to your scrambled eggs, you’ll want to stock up on your favorites because you’ll be blazing through that bottle of “The End” in no time!
- Spice Up Your Hot Chocolate.
If you haven’t heard of “Mexican hot chocolate,” get hip—after all, all the cool kids are doing it. This warming beverage has been around for centuries, so you know it’s good. Here’s the scoop: heat up your favorite milk or milk-alternative-beverage, mix in some cocoa powder, and swirl in a teaspoon or two of hot sauce. The result? A sweet and spicy hot chocolate ready to enjoy—don’t forget the marshmallows!
- Wing It Up.
Chicken wings are the OG best vehicle for hot sauce. Just toss 'em around in your favorite sauce (or mix it up and try a new sauce every time) and serve with celery, carrots, blue cheese, and ranch. If you want to get crazy, you can even mix the hot sauce with butter before slathering it over your wings for your own unique buffalo sauce (though we suggest grabbing one of our pre-made favorites here for those lazy days).
With the 17 all-time best ways to use hot sauce, you can eat hot sauce with every meal, from breakfast through second dinner. Stock up on your favorite hot sauces from Pepper Palace, ranging from mild to extreme, and start saucing today.