Classic Louisiana-style hot sauces are known for their tangy, vinegar-based flavor, bright reddish/orange color, and moderate heat. They are usually made with aged or fermented red cayenne peppers, like hot sauce was originally introduced and have a distinct tart and pungent flavor. Here are some of the best Louisiana-style hot sauces that are both classic hot sauces and newly introduced to the market.
Table of Contents
- 20) Frank’s RedHot
- 19) Cholula Hot Sauce
- 18) Tabasco Sauce
- 17) Texas Pete Hot Sauce
- 16) Crystal Hot Sauce
- 15) Tapatio Hot Sauce
- 14) Louisiana Hot Sauce
- 13) Trappey’s Red Devil Cayenne Pepper Sauce
- 12) Zatarain’s Cajun Hot Sauce
- 11) Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce
- 10) Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce
- 9) Poirer’s Louisiana Style KO Edition
- 8) Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce
- 7) Swampadelic Hot Sauce
- 6) Gator Hammock Gator Sauce
- 5) Cajun Power Garlic Sauce
- 4) Cajun Chef Louisiana Hot Sauce
- 3) Southern Art No. 1 Handcrafted Hot Sauce
- 2) Pain Is Good
- 1) Louisiana Gold
- Louisiana Hot Sauce Recipes
These are just a few examples of the many Louisiana-style hot sauces available. Although many Louisiana hot sauces are made with the same ingredients (aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, & salt), each has its own unique flavor profile, so it’s worth trying a few to find your favorite.
It can be challenging to find information on the newest Louisiana-style hot sauces, as new products are constantly being introduced to the market. However, here are a few relatively new Louisiana-style hot sauces that have gained attention over the years along with the traditional sauces dubbed as being classic flavors.
20) Frank’s RedHot
Heat – 4 | Flavor – 10

This classic flavored sauce isn’t going anywhere. Frank’s RedHot is a popular brand of hot sauce known for its spicy and tangy flavor. It is made from a blend of aged cayenne peppers and vinegar, giving it a distinctive taste.
In addition to hot sauces, Frank’s RedHot also offers dip seasonings, such as Buffalo Ranch Dip Seasoning and Fiesta Bean Dip Seasoning. These seasonings can be used to add flavor and heat to various dishes.
Frank’s RedHot is often used in recipes for buffalo chicken dip, wings, chili, and other spicy dishes. It is a popular choice for adding a kick of flavor to game day snacks and tailgate parties.
19) Cholula Hot Sauce
Heat – 2.5 | Flavor – 8

Made with arbol chiles, this hot sauce has a fruity flavor in addition to the heat. Great mild flavor that’s excellent on Mexican food as well as standard American mac & cheese. Out of all the Louisiana style hot sauces Cholula pairs well with the most foods due to its mild heat and delicious flavor.
Cholula adds a tangy and spicy kick to tacos, whether they are filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables. It is a classic choice for adding flavor to scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos.
Drizzling Cholula on top of pizza adds a zesty and spicy element to the cheesy goodness. It can be used as a marinade or sauce for grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp, adding a delicious heat to the dish.
18) Tabasco Sauce
Heat – 3 | Flavor – 8

The original Louisiana-style hot sauce made with fermented tabasco peppers. It has a distinct and tart vinegar flavor. It is the three-year aging process of the peppers that give this sauce its unique and pungent flavor.
Tabasco hot sauce is a versatile condiment that pairs well with a wide range of foods. Here are some popular food pairings with Tabasco:
Tabasco complements the flavors of seafood dishes such as shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, and fish tacos. Also, whether it’s scrambled eggs, omelets, or deviled eggs, a few drops of Tabasco can add a spicy kick to your breakfast or brunch. And don’t forget Tabasco is a key ingredient in a classic Bloody Mary cocktail, adding heat and flavor to the tomato-based drink.
17) Texas Pete Hot Sauce
Heat – 2.5 | Flavor – 7

A popular hot sauce in the southern U.S. made with chili peppers, distilled vinegar, and spices. It has a mild to medium heat level, but it still has that Louisiana kick.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce is a popular hot sauce brand that has been around for over 80 years. It features a secret blend of specially selected peppers that are fermented to perfection, resulting in a bold and spicy flavor. It provides a moderate level of heat that enhances the taste of various dishes without overpowering them.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce is known for its classic hot sauce flavor and is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be added to foods like tacos, burgers, wings, eggs, and more to add a tangy and spicy kick. The sauce is gluten-free, allergen-free, and kosher, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences.
The ingredients in Texas Pete Hot Sauce include vinegar, aged peppers (peppers, salt, vinegar), water, xanthan gum, and benzoate of soda (to preserve freshness and flavor).
16) Crystal Hot Sauce
Heat – 2.5 | Flavor – 7.5

Another Louisiana-style hot sauce made with aged cayenne peppers and a vinegar base. It has a medium heat level like many in its class but its bright, bold red color makes it stand out.
Crystal Hot Sauce is a popular brand known for its Louisiana style hot sauce. It has a tangy and slightly spicy flavor that many people enjoy.
Add a few dashes of Crystal to your burger for an extra layer of flavor and heat. Or better yet, Crystal pairs well with the creamy texture of avocado, making it a great addition to avocado toast or guacamole.
15) Tapatio Hot Sauce
Heat – 3 | Flavor – 9

Made in California, this hot sauce features a blend of arbol and chili de arbol peppers with a smoky, fruity flavor and medium heat.
Tapatio Hot Sauce is a popular Louisiana style hot sauce known for its spicy and tangy flavor. It is made from a blend of red chili peppers, salt, vinegar, and various spices.
Tapatio has a medium level of heat, making it suitable for those who enjoy a bit of spiciness without overwhelming their taste buds. It is commonly used as a condiment to enhance the flavor of a wide range of dishes, including tacos, burritos, eggs, soups, and more.
Tapatio Hot Sauce is widely available and has gained a loyal following for its distinctive taste and versatility in adding a kick to various culinary creations.
14) Louisiana Hot Sauce
Heat – 3.5 | Flavor – 8.5

Another popular option, Louisiana Hot Sauce is made with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt. It has a medium heat level and a tangy flavor.
The Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce is a popular hot sauce brand that is manufactured in New Iberia, Louisiana. It is known for its bold and spicy flavor, made from aged long cayenne peppers that undergo fermentation during the aging process.
The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce was first marketed in 1928 and has since become a staple in Louisiana Creole cuisine. It is available in various flavors, including the original, sweet heat with honey, hotter than hot, and more. The hot sauce is widely distributed and can be found in many grocery stores and restaurants in the United States.
13) Trappey’s Red Devil Cayenne Pepper Sauce
Heat – 4 | Flavor – 9.5

Made with cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt, this hot sauce has a medium heat level and a tangy, slightly sweet flavor.
Trappey’s Red Devil Cayenne Pepper Sauce is a tasty blend of cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt. It offers a slightly different flavor experience compared to Trappey’s Original Recipe. However, it is surprisingly mild in terms of heat, especially considering the pepper used and the branding.
The sauce has a vinegary flavor upfront like many Louisiana hot sauces, but it is quickly balanced by the sweet heat from the chili pepper mash and salt. It is a versatile sauce that can be used as a wing sauce, marinade, salad dressing, or to add heat to soups and crackers.
12) Zatarain’s Cajun Hot Sauce
Heat – 3 | Flavor – 8.5
A New Orleans favorite, Zatarain’s Cajun Hot Sauce is made with aged red peppers, vinegar, and spices. It has a medium heat level and a rich, savory flavor.
Zatarain’s Cajun Hot Sauce is a fiery and flavorful condiment that brings a taste of the Bayou to your palate. With its bold and robust flavor profile, this hot sauce is sure to ignite your taste buds and add a spicy kick to your favorite dishes.
The sauce is crafted with a blend of premium ingredients, carefully selected to capture the essence of Cajun cuisine. It combines the heat of peppery spices with a tangy undertone, creating a harmonious balance of flavors that is both tantalizing and satisfying.
Each bottle of Zatarain’s Cajun Hot Sauce is packed with a burst of Louisiana-inspired goodness. The rich and complex taste is achieved through a mixture of aged red peppers, vinegar, and a secret blend of spices. This unique combination results in a sauce that is not only hot but also brimming with depth and character.
11) Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce
Heat – 3 | Flavor – 9

This Louisiana-style hot sauce is made with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and spices. It has a medium heat level and a bold, tangy flavor. This unforgettable name will bring you back for more.
Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce is a popular Louisiana-style hot sauce known for its spicy and flavorful profile. It is made with a blend of aged peppers, vinegar, and various spices, creating a tangy and zesty taste. Slap Ya Mama Hot Sauce is often used to add a kick to dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, seafood, and more.
This hot sauce is known for its versatility and can be used as a condiment, marinade, or ingredient in cooking. It offers a balance of heat and flavor, allowing you to enhance the taste of your favorite dishes.
10) Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce
Heat – 4 | Flavor – 9

Swamp Dragon offers a unique twist on the traditional Louisiana-style hot sauce by using liquor (such as bourbon, rum, or vodka) instead of vinegar as the base. This results in a smoother, less acidic flavor profile while still maintaining the heat and tanginess of a classic Louisiana hot sauce.
Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce is a flavorful condiment known for its spicy and bold taste. It features a combination of chili peppers, vinegar, spices, and other ingredients like many Louisiana hot sauces. It is designed to add heat and flavor to various dishes, ranging from savory to sweet.
Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce can be enjoyed by adding it to your favorite dishes or recipes. It is commonly used as a condiment or flavor enhancer for various foods such as tacos, burgers, wings, or even in marinades and dressings.
9) Poirier’s Louisiana Style KO Edition
Heat – 6 | Flavor – 8.5
This hot sauce combines the flavors of Louisiana in a single bottle of hot sauce. This is one of the hotter Louisiana hot sauces on the list but carries a smoky, roasted flavor on the side.
It’s the red habanero that provide the heat along with the aged cayenne that give it a distinct and tart Louisiana flavor. Oh yeah…and maybe a little bit of ghost powder to top it off.
Excellent with grilled chicken, cauliflower pizza, burgers, or tacos but don’t limit yourself to just those foods.
8) Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce
Heat – 5 | Flavor – 10
Bayou Gotham offers a line of Louisiana-style hot sauces, including their Bayou Bourré and Bayou Lafourche varieties. These sauces are made with aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and spices, resulting in a tangy, moderately spicy flavor profile.
So, if you’re looking to add a touch of Cajun heat and flavor to your meals, reach for a bottle of Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce. With its authentic taste and unmistakable zest, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Give it a try and let your taste buds dance with delight!
Whether you’re drizzling it over jambalaya, adding a kick to your gumbo, or spicing up your po’ boy sandwich,Bayou Gotham Hot Sauce is the perfect companion. Its versatility knows no bounds, and it can be used in a multitude of dishes to elevate the flavor to new heights.
7) Swampadelic Hot Sauce
Heat – 4 | Flavor – 10

Primo’s Peppers offers a Louisiana-style hot sauce made with cayenne peppers, vinegar, and salt. This sauce has a tangy flavor and a medium heat level, making it a versatile addition to various dishes.
Drizzle Swampadelic over tacos or wraps to give them a spicy and flavorful twist. It can be a delicious addition to both meat and vegetarian options.
Also try using it as a dipping sauce for appetizers like chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or even French fries. Its bold flavor can elevate the taste of your favorite snacks.
6) Gator Hammock Gator Sauce
Heat – 6 | Flavor – 9.5
Gator Hammock’s Gator Sauce is a Louisiana-style hot sauce made with aged cayenne and habanero peppers, vinegar, and spices. It has a tangy, slightly sweet flavor with a medium to high heat level.
Gator Hammock Gator Sauce is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed with a variety of foods. Gator Sauce pairs well with grilled meats such as chicken, steak, pork, or even grilled sausages. It adds a tangy and spicy flavor to enhance the taste of the meat.
Add a kick to your burgers or sandwiches by spreading Gator Sauce on the bun or using it as a dipping sauce. It can add a unique flavor to your favorite sandwich combinations. Gator Sauce can also be a great accompaniment to seafood dishes like shrimp, fish, or crab cakes. It adds a zesty and tangy element that complements the flavors of the seafood.
5) Cajun Power Garlic Sauce
Heat – 3.5 | Flavor – 10
Cajun Power’s Garlic Sauce is a Louisiana-style hot sauce made with cayenne peppers, vinegar, garlic, and spices. It has a tangy, garlicky flavor with a medium heat level, making it a great addition to a variety of dishes.
Cajun Power Garlic Sauce complements seafood dishes such as shrimp, crab, and fish. It can be used as a dipping sauce or drizzled over grilled or fried seafood.
This sauce also adds a flavorful kick to grilled or roasted chicken and pork. It can be used as a marinade or brushed on during cooking.
4) Cajun Chef Louisiana Hot Sauce
Heat – 3 | Flavor – 7

Cajun Chef produces another great Louisiana hot sauce. One of the least expensive but tastiest sauces on the list. This sauce pairs well with shrimp, crabs, and crawfish to keep the Cajun tradition alive on your plate.
Cajun Chef Louisiana Hot Sauce is a popular hot sauce brand known for its Cajun-style flavor. It is made with a blend of aged peppers, vinegar, and spices, creating a tangy and spicy taste. This hot sauce is often used to add a kick of flavor to various dishes, including seafood, gumbo, jambalaya, and more.
Cajun Chef Louisiana Hot Sauce is known for its versatility and can be used as a condiment, marinade, or ingredient in cooking. It offers a balance of heat and flavor, allowing you to enhance the taste of your favorite dishes.
3) Southern Art No. 1 Handcrafted Hot Sauce
Heat – 5 | Flavor – 8
Southern Art keeps the ingredient combination simple like many Louisiana style hot sauces but addition of black pepper gives this sauce a little more kick. This sauce may look new to you, but Southern Art has been making great sauces for over 30 years.
All natural and gluten free I highly recommend a bit of Southern Art added to your next meal. Adds a Southern kick to grilled and smoked meats but keeps that Louisiana style flavor.
2) Pain Is Good
Heat – 5 | Flavor – 9
Pain Is Good has a great collection of hot sauces but the Louisiana #218 stands out, even among the classics.
Try Pain Is Good as a spread or dressing for sandwiches and wraps, adding a zesty garlic If you enjoy a little heat and garlic flavor on your pizza, try adding #218 as a topping or dipping sauce.
Enhance the flavor of stir-fried vegetables, rice dishes, or noodles by adding a splash of this. Get more tips on How To Cook With Hot Sauce HERE.
1) Louisiana Gold
Heat – 3.5 | Flavor – 10
Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce is a hot sauce produced by Bruce Foods. It is known as “The Gold Standard of Hot Sauces.” This sauce is made with a blend of cayenne and tabasco peppers, giving it a unique flavor profile. It is made with all-natural ingredients and is produced in Louisiana’s Cajun country.
Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce is versatile and can be used to enhance the flavor of various foods such as eggs, pizza, tacos, burgers, and jambalaya casserole. It offers a smooth taste with a sneaky heat that intensifies as it reaches the back of your throat. This allows the flavors of the food to shine through before the spice kicks in.
Overall, Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce is highly regarded as a top-quality Cajun-style hot sauce, offering a balance of flavor and heat. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy adding a little extra kick to their meals, with a traditional flavor.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking from best to worst, as there are many other Louisiana-style hot sauces available. These are just some of the more well-known and popular options.
Remember that the availability of these hot sauces may vary depending on your location. Keep an eye out for new products at local specialty stores, farmers’ markets, or online retailers to discover the latest Louisiana-style hot sauces. Enjoy exploring these new flavors and finding your favorites!
Louisiana-style hot sauce is quite simple and requires only a few ingredients. Here’s a basic recipe for homemade Louisiana hot sauce:
Louisiana Hot Sauce Recipes
Louisiana Hot Sauce Recipe
INGREDIENTS
• ¼ cup fresh red chili peppers (cayenne, red jalapeno, fresno or tabasco)
• ½ cup distilled white vinegar
• Salt
EQUIPMENT
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Mixing bowl
• 1-quart saucepan
• Heat source
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender
DIRECTIONS
1. Over high heat, add the chilies, vinegar, and salt into a large pot and bring the vinegar to a simmer.
2. Lower to medium heat and continue simmering for 5 minutes or until the chilies are soft.
3. Transfer the mix to a blender and blend until the mix is smooth. There will still be seeds.
4. Strain the sauce into a container and let it settle to room temperature.
5. Recommended: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to use.
For optimal flavor, let the sauce age for a week or two in the fridge before using. This will give time for the flavors to fully mesh. Keep in mind that the heat level of your hot sauce will depend on the type of chili peppers you use, so choose according to your heat tolerance.
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Fermented Louisiana Hot Sauce Recipe
INGREDIENTS
• ¼ cup fresh red chili peppers (cayenne, red jalapeno, fresno or tabasco)
• ½ cup distilled white vinegar
• Salt
EQUIPMENT
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Mixing bowl
• 1-quart saucepan
• Heat source
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender
• 2-quart glass fermentation container
DIRECTIONS
1. Coarsely chop fresh hot red chiles, removing stems and seeds.
2. Weigh the chiles and add salt to taste (usually around 2% of the weight of the chiles).
3. Place the chiles and salt in a fermentation container, pressing them down to release their juices and create a brine.
4. Ensure the chiles are submerged in the brine, using a weight if necessary.
5. Cover the container and let it ferment at room temperature for 1-3 weeks, checking regularly for mold and skimming off any that forms.
6. Once the fermentation is complete, blend the fermented chiles with white vinegar to your desired consistency.
7. Strain the sauce into a container and let it settle to room temperature.
8. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before using.
Remember that the fermentation process can vary depending on the type of chiles used and the conditions in your kitchen, so keep an eye on your ferment and adjust as needed.
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