Hot Sauces of the World

Updated March 7, 2025

Explore the world's only complete guide to the hot sauce types of the world. Hot sauces have been around for millennia, as Aztecs and other people of Mexico and Central America ground chile peppers, water and spices, adding heat and flavor to the earliest cuisines of Latin America.

Chili peppers spread around the world quickly after Christopher Columbus shared their seeds in Europe, and now they are as many styles as there are cultures. Whether you're a hot sauce aficionado or just starting to explore the world of spicy condiments, this collecton of my hot sauce sketches will guide you through the different types of hot sauces from around the world.

Louisiana hot sauces are known for their mild heat and bold Cajun flavors, and are often made with a combination of peppers, including cayenne and jalapeño. These sauces have a distinct vinegar flavor that sets them apart from other hot sauces and are great for adding heat to traditional Southern dishes like gumbo and jambalaya.

Picante hot sauces, also known as "salsa picante," are a staple in Mexican cuisine. These sauces are made from a variety of chili peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spices. They have a wide range of heat levels, from mild to very hot. Like Louisiana-style hot sauces, these include some of the most well known brands around the world.

Caribbean-style hot sauces are known for their vibrant and complex flavors, and are a staple condiment in many Caribbean islands and countries, especially Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic. These hot sauces are typically made by combining chili peppers, such as scotch bonnets or habaneros, with ingredients such as vinegar, allspice, thyme, and onion. There is a lot of variety, especially unique tropical flavors, in Caribbean style sauces.

Harissa hot sauces are a cornerstone of Tunisian cuisine, developed in the 1500s when the Spanish introduced chili peppers to thr region. Although invented in Tunisia, harissa has become popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Harissa is a flavorful paste made from chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices.

Piri piri hot sauce originated in Mozambique and Angola, when Portuguese colonizers introduced chili peppers to the region. The hot sauce has spread around the world, and can be found in Portugal, South Africa and Australia. The sauce is made by blending piri piri chili peppers, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. The chili peppers used to make piri piri sauce are small but pack a punch, resulting in a sauce that has a spicy and tangy flavor.

Gochujang chili paste is a staple in Korean cuisine, and has likely existed in the country since chili peppers were first introduced. Gochujang is a fermented chili paste that is made from chili peppers, rice, soybeans, and salt. Gochugang is also a base ingredient for other Korean hot pastes and sauces, like Ssamjang, which combines gochujang with sesame oil, onions, garlic, green onions and brown sugar and is used as a base ingredient in leaf wraps.

Artisan hot sauces are handmade, small-batch hot sauces that are made using high-quality, fresh ingredients. These hot sauces often feature exotic fruits, rare chili peppers, and unique spices, giving them a distinct flavor profile that sets them apart from commercial hot sauces.

Sriracha hot sauces, also known as "rooster sauce," have become increasingly popular in recent years. Sriracha is made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, and vinegar, and has a distinct garlicky and slightly sweet flavor. The heat level is moderate, making it a versatile hot sauce that can be added to a variety of dishes. It's most commonly used as a condiment for Asian-style dishes, but can also be added to sandwiches, soups, and more.

Chili garlic hot sauces are a staple in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. These sauces are made from chili peppers and garlic, and have a strong garlicky flavor with a moderate heat level. They're often used as a condiment or marinade for meat dishes and can also be found as a key ingredient in soups and stir-fries.

Extreme hot sauces are known for their intense heat. These sauces are made with the hottest chili peppers in the world, such as the Carolina Reaper or Ghost Pepper, and are designed for chili heads who seek crazy levels of heat.

Central America is home to some of the world's most delicious hot sauces, and their spiciness can range from mildly tangy to downright fiery. Marie Sharp's habanero sauce, which I learned about on an early trip to Belize, made me realize that hot sauces were an essential part of exploring a new culture and cuisine, and I've been hooked on discovering regional hot sauces ever since.

Hot sauces are a staple condiment for those who love adding heat to their food, but not all hot sauces are created equal. Some hot sauces are made with more unconventional ingredients, giving them a unique flavor profile that sets them apart from traditional hot sauces. These ingredients can range from fruit, such as mango or pineapple, to vegetables, such as carrots or beets, to even unexpected ingredients like chocolate or coffee. By combining these ingredients with chili peppers, vinegar, and spices, hot sauce makers have created a variety of hot sauces that offer a fusion of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. These unique hot sauces are a great way to add a new twist to familiar dishes, or to discover new flavor combinations.

Hot sauce is a universal condiment that can be found in some form or another in almost every culture around the world. While there are some main hot sauce categories, there are many other types of hot sauces that are specific to certain regions and countries. While you will see this page evolve over the years, most of this page's growth will exist here, as I attempt to unravel the world's most specific hot sauce types.