See Which Hot Sauce Is the Most Popular in Your State

Things are getting spicy in kitchens across the United States, at least according to Instacart. 

In January, Instacart released new insights to celebrate National Hot Sauce Day, which falls on January 22. The data showed that Americans have a clear favorite when it comes to hot sauce, but things do switch up a bit on the state-by-state level.

"Whether you’re adding a dash of hot sauce to your morning eggs or giving your wings an extra kick, our findings reveal the essential role hot sauce plays in kitchens nationwide, enhancing flavors and adding that much-desired zing to any dish," the company explained in its release.

According to its own purchasing data, Frank’s RedHot was the number one pick for hot sauce lovers across the U.S. who used its platform in 2024. It was followed closely by Huy Fong Foods and its iconic Sriracha, with Cholula and Burman’s Hot Sauce taking the third and fourth spots, respectively. And, in what Instacart said was a "standout year" for the brand, Taco Bell's hot sauce came in a surprising fifth place. However, Instacart noted it was also a massive year for smaller hot sauce brands, too.

"What’s particularly interesting in this report is how hot sauce favorites vary by region. It was fascinating to see how different states have distinct tastes for hot sauces, with preferences for 505 Southwestern in New Mexico, Tapatio in California, and Tabasco in Hawaii," Alex Orellana, Instacart’s trends analyst, told Food & Wine. "It’s also interesting to see the rise of trending brands like Yellowbird and Momofuku among our top-growing hot sauces, which both feature unique ingredients like carrots or sesame seeds. This reflects an evolving consumer palate, as people increasingly embrace adventurous flavors in their spice cabinets."

Related: 14 Tongue-Tingling Hot Sauce Recipes

"Spicy food is having a renaissance because it aligns with broader culinary trends that lean into bold, diverse flavors. Our 2025 Flavorful Food Forecast shows that international flavors are playing a prominent role in our daily meals, which means people are becoming more adventurous with their spice palette," Orellana added. "Social media is also playing a role in hot sauce’s popularity, with shows like Hot Ones (which even has its own hot sauce) creating viral sensations around unique flavors and the challenge of withstanding some intense heat."

Instacart shared more granular data, showing that the South gravitated toward Texas Pete hot sauce, which was the top pick in the Carolinas and Virginia, while Louisiana brand was the favorite in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The rest of the nation was split between Frank's RedHot and Burman's, except in California, New Mexico, and Hawaii.

As for the spiciest states, Instacart said New Mexico ordered the most at 31.9 ounces per customer, followed by Alaska at 29.2 ounces per customer and Colorado at 27.2 ounces per customer. The least spicy state is Alabama, which ordered just 16.6 ounces per customer.

So, if you're reading this from Alabama, maybe dial up the spice or two so you can move your whole state up the ranking.

Read the original article on Food & Wine