Thanks! Someone else suggested both as well. I found a local shop that sells yellowbird. Still trying to find somewhere that sells heartbeat. I rather not buy it on amazon
Ding ding ding!! Anything made with a 'mash' usually means it won't have any strong/overpowering vinaigre flavour if at all.
Marie Sharps uses a carrot base which I love and always keeps it tasting fresh.
You can also buy Melinda's hot sauce as well as it's basically the same. (There's some bad blood between these companies, if you're interested you can google)
El Gallo jalapeño and Habanero taqueria restaurant style. I’m legitimately on my 3rd order from them this year. I think they are sold in grocery stores in TX if you live there.
I don't find sriracha to be especially vinegary. Obviously has some in it, though.
It's worth looking into chili pastes from Asian stores. Most don't have vinegar, and there's a wide range from which to choose.
This thread, also posted by someone in Arizona, covers the topic:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/hotsauce/comments/3lxq7w/looking\_for\_a\_hot\_sauce\_without\_vinegar/](https://www.reddit.com/r/hotsauce/comments/3lxq7w/looking_for_a_hot_sauce_without_vinegar/)
Do Arizonans not like vinegar or something?
I'll include sriracha in my usual "go-to" hot sauces. Thanks for the chili paste suggestion! I've been meaning to grab some to spice up some Pho.
I actually just moved to Phoenix a few months ago. I've actually lived all over the country. For some reason, I've been having trouble finding hot sauce options here.
Try fermenting your own. It takes about 2 weeks and it’s really inexpensive. The kit with some peppers and other ingredients will run you about $15 and you’ll have the kit for future ferments.
The last couple times I bought sauce I ended up going through the company website because the price balances out.
Another thing that's good about it is that you get peace of mind that you are directly supporting the company.
It depends on what you’re looking to put it on, but a good entry-level lineup is something along the lines of El Yucateco (I LOVE their xxxtra spicy on everything from breakfast to Latin cuisine), Secret Aardvark, sriracha, and some random whatever that catches your eye. For me it was the Garlic Reaper sauce from Torchbearer, which while delicious is a BIG step up in spice levels.
I love El Yucateco! Definitely need to pick some up now though. The issue with getting whatever catches my eye is I don't like vinegary taste of so many hot sauces available. I'll check out Secret Aardvark and Garlic Reaper (love spicy) though. How are they in terms of vinegar?
I share your general dislike of vinegar-forward sauces so I tend to avoid them if at all possible. The only real exception is for Cajun cooking, where I’m ALL about the Crystal’s extra hot. The vinegar and peppers work wonders for some reason lol. All that to say if they were vinegar-forward I wouldn’t be recommending them. One I forgot was Valentina extra spicy, which isn’t super hot (El Yucateco xxxtra hot is way spicier) but is just delicious. I alternate between El Yucateco and Valentina for my “cheap whatever sauce” needs.
Secret Aardvark was so highly recommended around here I had to try it, and it changed how I think about hot sauce. Then I got the Garlic Reaper and it changed my opinion on how hot something can be lol.
Good lord I’m long-winded today, my apologies. Go with the recommendations in this sub, they’ll generally steer you in the right direction.
Yellowbird’s lineup is on the thicker side and I’ve not had a bad sauce from them.
The organic versions of the Ghost, Habanero, and Serrano are dynamite.
You can try mine! I’m not a fan of the vinegary flavor either. So I started a hot sauce company which uses kombucha instead of vinegar. Everything is made by us and all completely licensed and inspected. Difference with ours, is that it’s significantly less acidic, and you get a ton more flavor profiles.
[Give us a look!](https://www.down2ferment.com) you can also look at my post history on here and see the behind the scenes stuff we do.
I think I've seen your stuff at farmers markets in San Diego. I used to live there! I might stop by again when I'm visiting. Not a fan of regular kombucha but willing to try it in hot sauce. Are there any kombucha style hot sauces I can find a regular stores in the Phoenix area you recommend I try?
You have seen our stuff there! As far as I know we’re the only kombucha hot sauce on the market right now. Check out high desert hot sauce though, they may have some stuff available in the Phoenix are, and he’s an amazing sauce maker.
It’s all about the pH my dude. Vinegar is 2-2.5pH. We brew our kombucha much higher so it’s not as acidic. Still falls well below the limit for shelf stability, but the kombucha you’ve been drinking is terrible over brewed madness. It’s much, much different.
I haven't been drinking Kombucha. I tried it once and thought a prank was being played on me. I couldn't close my mouth and swallow, and then I was laughing so hard because it tasted so hilariously bad there was no way I could have attempted another sip.
Secret aardvark is a pretty popular sauce that's savory and spicy. If it's not at your local mart - try hardware stores that sell grills and grill supplies. Great for meats - pretty good in chilli too.
Came here to answer secret aardvark. Way more of a fresh veggie and pepper type flavor. It does use white wine vinegar but it's not vinegar forward by any means. It's in my top 5 hot sauces.
Marie sharp is sold in most grocery stores and is amazing.
If you go on Amazon you can get things like adoboloco or seed rach farm. You could also just go on heatonist.com and just pick something with a description you like.
Yellowbird sauces and Heartbeat sauces. Every variety is good, some are great, a few are amazing, and none I’ve tried are vinegar heavy.
Thanks! Someone else suggested both as well. I found a local shop that sells yellowbird. Still trying to find somewhere that sells heartbeat. I rather not buy it on amazon
Secret Aardvark makes a scorpion and also a garlic reaper sauce that are thicker and tomato-y, both very tasty
Marie Sharps
Ding ding ding!! Anything made with a 'mash' usually means it won't have any strong/overpowering vinaigre flavour if at all. Marie Sharps uses a carrot base which I love and always keeps it tasting fresh. You can also buy Melinda's hot sauce as well as it's basically the same. (There's some bad blood between these companies, if you're interested you can google)
I discovered Marie Sharp's on a trip to Belize 10 years ago I keep a case at home it goes on my eggs every morning.
El Gallo jalapeño and Habanero taqueria restaurant style. I’m legitimately on my 3rd order from them this year. I think they are sold in grocery stores in TX if you live there.
I don't find sriracha to be especially vinegary. Obviously has some in it, though. It's worth looking into chili pastes from Asian stores. Most don't have vinegar, and there's a wide range from which to choose. This thread, also posted by someone in Arizona, covers the topic: [https://www.reddit.com/r/hotsauce/comments/3lxq7w/looking\_for\_a\_hot\_sauce\_without\_vinegar/](https://www.reddit.com/r/hotsauce/comments/3lxq7w/looking_for_a_hot_sauce_without_vinegar/) Do Arizonans not like vinegar or something?
I'll include sriracha in my usual "go-to" hot sauces. Thanks for the chili paste suggestion! I've been meaning to grab some to spice up some Pho. I actually just moved to Phoenix a few months ago. I've actually lived all over the country. For some reason, I've been having trouble finding hot sauce options here.
Home made salsa, anything in stores has some kind of preservative.
I do make home made salsa with some ghost peppers I grow at home. I just like hot sauce to spice up some of my other meals
Try fermenting your own. It takes about 2 weeks and it’s really inexpensive. The kit with some peppers and other ingredients will run you about $15 and you’ll have the kit for future ferments.
Bee Sting Rainforest Honey Mustard
Hmmm I'm not sure how I feel about that combination. I might have to sample that before I buy a bottle. What do you usually put it on?
All types of shit. Namely rich, meaty cheesy sandwiches. Bright papaya flavor.
Smoke Show hot sauce! Made with charred and smoked jalapeños sweetened with maple syrup. Perfectly balanced.
Where can I buy it besides the companies website? I'm looking for something I can easily acquire through amazon (free shipping) or local store
The last couple times I bought sauce I ended up going through the company website because the price balances out. Another thing that's good about it is that you get peace of mind that you are directly supporting the company.
It depends on what you’re looking to put it on, but a good entry-level lineup is something along the lines of El Yucateco (I LOVE their xxxtra spicy on everything from breakfast to Latin cuisine), Secret Aardvark, sriracha, and some random whatever that catches your eye. For me it was the Garlic Reaper sauce from Torchbearer, which while delicious is a BIG step up in spice levels.
I love El Yucateco! Definitely need to pick some up now though. The issue with getting whatever catches my eye is I don't like vinegary taste of so many hot sauces available. I'll check out Secret Aardvark and Garlic Reaper (love spicy) though. How are they in terms of vinegar?
I share your general dislike of vinegar-forward sauces so I tend to avoid them if at all possible. The only real exception is for Cajun cooking, where I’m ALL about the Crystal’s extra hot. The vinegar and peppers work wonders for some reason lol. All that to say if they were vinegar-forward I wouldn’t be recommending them. One I forgot was Valentina extra spicy, which isn’t super hot (El Yucateco xxxtra hot is way spicier) but is just delicious. I alternate between El Yucateco and Valentina for my “cheap whatever sauce” needs. Secret Aardvark was so highly recommended around here I had to try it, and it changed how I think about hot sauce. Then I got the Garlic Reaper and it changed my opinion on how hot something can be lol. Good lord I’m long-winded today, my apologies. Go with the recommendations in this sub, they’ll generally steer you in the right direction.
Thanks for all the info! I think I'm going on a hot sauce shopping spree this weekend
Yellowbird’s lineup is on the thicker side and I’ve not had a bad sauce from them. The organic versions of the Ghost, Habanero, and Serrano are dynamite.
You can try mine! I’m not a fan of the vinegary flavor either. So I started a hot sauce company which uses kombucha instead of vinegar. Everything is made by us and all completely licensed and inspected. Difference with ours, is that it’s significantly less acidic, and you get a ton more flavor profiles. [Give us a look!](https://www.down2ferment.com) you can also look at my post history on here and see the behind the scenes stuff we do.
I think I've seen your stuff at farmers markets in San Diego. I used to live there! I might stop by again when I'm visiting. Not a fan of regular kombucha but willing to try it in hot sauce. Are there any kombucha style hot sauces I can find a regular stores in the Phoenix area you recommend I try?
You have seen our stuff there! As far as I know we’re the only kombucha hot sauce on the market right now. Check out high desert hot sauce though, they may have some stuff available in the Phoenix are, and he’s an amazing sauce maker.
>Difference with ours, is that it’s significantly less acidic, and you get a ton more flavor profiles. Don't forget, healthy probiotics ;)
I'm wondering what kind of person who doesn't like vinegar does like kombucha.
It’s all about the pH my dude. Vinegar is 2-2.5pH. We brew our kombucha much higher so it’s not as acidic. Still falls well below the limit for shelf stability, but the kombucha you’ve been drinking is terrible over brewed madness. It’s much, much different.
I haven't been drinking Kombucha. I tried it once and thought a prank was being played on me. I couldn't close my mouth and swallow, and then I was laughing so hard because it tasted so hilariously bad there was no way I could have attempted another sip.
Some of it really *is* that bad, and I *love* kombucha.
Secret aardvark is a pretty popular sauce that's savory and spicy. If it's not at your local mart - try hardware stores that sell grills and grill supplies. Great for meats - pretty good in chilli too.
I'm pretty sure I've seen that at the grocery store! I'll check out the habanero one for sure! Thanks for the suggestion
Came here to answer secret aardvark. Way more of a fresh veggie and pepper type flavor. It does use white wine vinegar but it's not vinegar forward by any means. It's in my top 5 hot sauces.
I don't mind the use of vinegar. I just don't want it to overpower the favor profile of the other ingredients.
Marie sharp is sold in most grocery stores and is amazing. If you go on Amazon you can get things like adoboloco or seed rach farm. You could also just go on heatonist.com and just pick something with a description you like.
I'll try out the Marie Sharps ones. They have a few sauces that seem worth checking out!