The hot sauces Americans love the most, broken down by state
For many Americans, hot sauce is so much more than just a condiment. It’s a topic people feel passionately about, and geography might help explain some of those opinions.
In honor of National Hot Sauce Day on Jan. 22, the folks at Instacart analyzed purchase data from the online grocery platform to reveal Americans’ hot sauce preferences. When it comes to the U.S. as a whole, the five most-purchased hot sauce brands were Frank’s RedHot, Huy Fong Foods (makers of the beloved Sriracha), Taco Bell, Cholula and Texas Pete.
Instacart’s report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of hot sauce preferences in different parts of the U.S.
The Hot Sauces Americans Love The Most, Broken Down By State
“One of the most interesting takeaways was how strong, and sometimes surprising, regional loyalty can be when it comes to hot sauce,” Alex Orellana, Instacart’s trends analyst, told HuffPost. “While Frank’s RedHot is a clear nationwide favorite, there are pockets of deep brand devotion that really stand out in the data.”
He pointed to Texas Pete, which dominates in the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia ― though interestingly, not in Texas. Meanwhile Louisiana Brand reigns supreme in Louisiana and the nearby states of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
“There are also a few fun contrasts that show just how personal these preferences can be,” Orellana said. “Cholula brings together unlikely matches, with both Montana and Hawaii gravitating toward the brand, while Tapatío stands alone as California’s top choice, reflecting how deeply local food culture still shows up in grocery carts.”
The Instacart report reflects the volume of hot sauce delivered on the platform in each state between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 last year. In addition to brand preferences, the company also revealed which states buy the highest and lowest volume of hot sauce per customer.
“We hope this data helps people see how something as simple as hot sauce reflects bigger shifts in the way Americans eat,” Orellana said. “Whether it’s sticking with reliable pantry staples or experimenting with new sweet-heat combinations, these patterns show how flavor trends move from curiosity to habit. At the end of the day, it’s about understanding how people bring flavor into their everyday meals.”
