Instacart Just Revealed the Most Popular Hot Sauce in the US (It’s Not Cholula or Tabasco)

There are a handful of divisive food opinions guaranteed to stir up debate. Obviously, the question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is at the top of the list. (It does, and Hawaiian pizza is delicious.)

Another battle with many soldiers on both sides is about whether ranch or blue cheese is the better dipping sauce for Buffalo wings. Surprisingly, I don’t have a strong opinion on this one because I like both and it depends on my mood. I am the Switzerland of wing dipping sauces.

Then, there's hot sauce. Everyone has an opinion on the best hot sauce, and debates can get heated. Turns out, though, one brand is actually more popular than any other. It’s not Cholula or Tabasco. It’s not even my favorite brand, Valentina. Instead, it’s a brand that I somehow forgot about completely.

It’s Frank’s RedHot! Instacart recently shared data that reveals Frank's RedHot as the most-purchased hot sauce in the United States. It was the top pick in 31 states, including all of the Midwest and Northeast, plus Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and Nevada.

In second place is Huy Fong Foods, which makes the original sriracha sauce. Interestingly, third place is Taco Bell, because apparently people want to live más, but not too más. Cholula is fourth on the list, and the iconic Tabasco sauce languishes at seventh. My beloved Valentina hot sauce is ninth.

I’m not really surprised by Instacart's stats, because I think most people probably have three or four hot sauces at home for different applications. The thing about Frank’s RedHot is that it covers a variety of bases, from Buffalo hot sauce to dill pickle hot sauce and everything in between. It’s a true flavor trendsetter. 

Frank’s even partnered with Taco Bell last year for a limited-time offering of Frank’s RedHot Diablo Sauce, which combined the Frank’s sauce with Taco Bell’s Diablo sauce and ranch. I’d really love to see Huy Fong Foods take the top spot next year, because I make sriracha mayo at least once a week to drizzle over salmon and mix into tuna salad.

Of course, I can always dream about Valentina winning over hearts and taste buds across the nation, but as a Chicago Bears fan, I’m used to disappointment. There’s always next year!