Hot Sauce

Hot sauce is a condiment made primarily from chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. Other ingredients like garlic, onion, and spices are often added. The peppers are typically mashed or pureed, then cooked with the other ingredients and aged or bottled.

Hot sauce is used to add heat and flavor to a wide variety of foods. Manufacturers add it to enhance the taste profile of products like dips, sauces, marinades, and processed snacks. It is also used as a finishing sauce or ingredient in dishes like chili, stews, and eggs.

Hot sauce is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. The capsaicin in chili peppers, which provides the heat, may have some health effects. Some research suggests capsaicin may help with pain relief and metabolism, but evidence is mixed and more studies are needed. JECFA has evaluated capsaicinoids and established an acceptable daily intake. Consumers should be aware that very high intake of spicy foods can cause digestive upset.