National Hot Sauce Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cooking Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every January 22
Holiday emoji:: 🌶️

National Hot Sauce Day ignites taste buds every January 22. This day celebrates the beloved condiment, made from chili peppers and other ingredients, that adds a spicy kick to countless dishes worldwide. Explore new flavors, challenge your palate, and share your favorite fiery concoctions.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National Hot Sauce Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Hot Sauce Day often brings exciting deals from major brands and retailers. Expect discounts on popular hot sauces from brands like Tabasco, Cholula, and Frank’s RedHot at grocery stores and online. Many restaurants, including fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Taco Bell, often offer special menu items, free add-ons, or BOGO deals on spicy dishes. Specialty retailers such as Heat Hot Sauce Shop and Fuego Box may also feature exclusive bundles or limited-edition releases. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 22 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Hot Sauce Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalHotSauceDay. Film a ‘hot sauce challenge’ or review your top five favorite sauces.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #HotSauceDay. Share visually appealing photos of your spiciest meals or a DIY hot sauce recipe.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalHotSauceDay. Poll your followers on the best food to pair with hot sauce or debate the spiciest pepper.

National Hot Sauce Day Hero

Wilbur Scoville

Wilbur Scoville was an American pharmacist best known for creating the 'Scoville Organoleptic Test' in 1912. This test measures the pungency, or spicy heat, of chili peppers and other spicy foods, expressed in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). His method revolutionized how the heat of peppers is quantified, providing a standardized scale for comparing different chili varieties. Scoville's work remains fundamental to the hot sauce industry and spicy food enthusiasts worldwide.

National Hot Sauce Day timeline

1998

Super Bowl ad

The Super Bowl featured the now famous commercial of a man showering his pizza with Tabasco, getting bit by a mosquito, and smiling as the mosquito bursts into flames.

1994

Americans love it!

As a sign of hot sauce popularity in the American market, the Campbell Soup Company bought Pace, a maker of Mexican-style sauce, for $1.1 billion.

1992

Salsa topped the condiment list

Salsa replaced ketchup as America's number one condiment.

1980

Old school sauce

Old El Paso, which would become a major player in the U.S. hot sauce market, made its debut.

1849

The very beginning

Colonel Maunsell White, a local banker, grew the first recorded crop of tabasco chiles.

National Hot Sauce Day FAQs

When is National Hot Sauce Day?

In 2027, National Hot Sauce Day lands on Friday, January 22. Prepare for a fiery start to the weekend with your favorite condiments.

How much hot sauce do Americans consume?

The consumption of hot sauce in the U.S. continues to climb, with market projections indicating continued growth. It’s estimated that the average American consumes around 1.5 to 2 bottles of hot sauce annually, showcasing its staple status.

What are the most popular types of hot sauce?

Beyond the classics, popular hot sauce categories also encompass habanero-based sauces for a fruitier heat, chipotle sauces for a smoky kick, and ghost pepper or Carolina Reaper sauces for extreme spice enthusiasts. Regional variations also contribute to the diversity.

Is hot sauce good for your health?

While hot sauce can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet, moderation is key. It’s low in calories and fat, and some studies suggest it may aid in weight management and improve cardiovascular health, but excessive consumption can cause digestive discomfort.

National Hot Sauce Day Activities

Try it
Tour the international aisle of your local grocer and pick up a couple of different hot sauces from regions around the world. You might look for some recipes that call for hot sauces and cook with a couple of different brands.
Make it
Making hot sauce isn't just for professionals. If there are some particular peppers or spices you like, try making your own at home. You can easily find various recipes.
Host a hot sauce party
Invite your friends over to celebrate. Tell them to either make, or bring a bottle of their favorite sauce, while you provide hot sauce-friendly foods.

4 Hot Sauces We Wish We Named

Colon Cleaner Hot Sauce
Ingredients include Scotch bonnet peppers, mustard, salt, onions, water, vinegar, turmeric, and sugar.
A Little Nukey Hot Sauce
This features Caribbean red habanero peppers, vinegar, tomatoes, onions, spices, cilantro, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) added for freshness.
Area 51: The Hot Sauce That Doesn't Exist
Get set for habanero peppers, vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
Zombie Apocalypse Ghost Chili Hot Sauce
Ghost peppers and habaneros with a mix of spices, vegetables, vinegar, and oil create this almost sweet, yet terrifyingly hot sauce.

Why We Love National Hot Sauce Day

It's everywhere
More than half of American households have some type of hot sauce in the kitchen. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, hot sauce is a staple at the dining room table for millions.
There are endless varieties
The common denominator? Chili peppers. National Hot Sauce Day is celebration of the many regional flavors available.
They reflect different cultures
Hot sauce ingredients are drawn from their unique regions. For instance, the Panamanian sauce called "Picante Chombo" includes locally grown Scotch bonnet peppers, and sauces from the West Indies feature local fruits and veggies.