Chili Sauces – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

Where did chili sauces originate from?

Different cuisines from all over the world have chili sauces in their repertoires. Here are some examples.

• Thailand: Sweet chili sauce
• Indonesia: Sambal-oelek
• Korea: Gochujang
• Lybia: Pipelchuma
• Maghreb: Harissa sauce or paste
• Ghana: Shito sauce
• Barbados: Bajan pepper sauce
• United States: Tabasco hot sauce
• Peru: Rocoto sauce

How are chili sauces made?

The first step in making chili sauce is choosing the right variety of pepper to give the condiment the right amount of heat. Then, generally speaking, the peppers are blended with vinegar and salt to make the sauce.

But that’s not always the case. Some sauces have extra ingredients to create a more complex flavor profile. For example, shinto sauce has oil, ginger, dried fish, crustaceans, and garlic in the recipe. Others go through a fermentation process, like the Korean gochujang, which acquires salty-and-sweet hints. Another way of making hot sauce is to age it in barrels before bottling (much like how some spirits are made)—tabasco sauce is a great example of this.

How do you pick chili sauces at the store?

The most important step in choosing a chili sauce at the store is knowing what heat level you’re after. You could get familiarized with the Scoville scale, then research what peppers you’d feel comfortable with. Or you could pay attention to the labels on the sauce jars, as they typically include a straightforward heat level scale—where 1 flame icon means mild and 5 flame icons mean burning hot. Although this isn’t always accurate (heat perception varies from person to person), it can give you a good idea of what you’re buying.

Once you settle on a heat level, choose the right flavor profile for your needs. Different chili sauces may have the same spice kick but pack different flavor hints. The labels on the jars will tell you what you can expect from the sauce. Look for words like “sweet,” “fruity,” or “savory,” as well as at the ingredient list to see what flavors might be packed into the condiment.

Lastly, to minimize food waste, pick a chili sauce container with just enough for you to use up before it goes bad. While condiments in general last a long time when refrigerated, they do still spoil. It would be a pity to waste money on a hot sauce that needs to be thrown out. When trying new sauces, it’s a good idea to choose small jars.

If you’re thinking about having your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for chili sauces via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or provide specific instructions on how to choose the best products.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Mae Ploy Chilli Sauce, Sweet (25 fl oz)

Huy Fong Foods Ground Fresh Chili Paste (8 oz)

Mina Spicy Harissa (10 oz)

Tabasco Original Red Pepper Sauce (5 oz)

Chung Jung One Gochujang, Korean Chili Sauce (7.5 oz)

Heinz Chili Sauce (12 fl oz)

How to store chili sauces

Chili sauces made with vinegar are resistant to bacterial growth. They’re so acidic that they won’t go bad even if left at room temperature. Sauces like tabasco and sriracha, for example, can be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for months after being opened.

Other sauces, like Thai sweet chili sauce, need to be refrigerated once opened. That’s because they contain other ingredients that cut through the bacteria-resistant acidity. Provided you keep them cool at all times, they’ll still last you months.

So how can you know which is the best storing method for that bottle of chili sauce you just bought? Look at the label on the jar. More often than not, manufacturers tell their customers how they should store their products (and how long they stay good for). When in doubt, store your chili sauces in the fridge to ensure they won’t go bad.

How to tell if chili sauces have gone bad

Mold is an easy sign of spoilage to look out for, but it’s not the only one. If your chili condiment looks darker than it used to; has an odd, sour, or unpleasant smell; or doesn’t taste right, it’s probably past its prime. Discard and tap into a fresh batch from the store.

What can I substitute for chili sauce?

If a recipe calls for a specific chili sauce you can’t find, look for a sauce with a similar heat level and flavor profile. For example, if you don’t have sambal-oelek, you could use sriracha instead and add a bit of sugar if you feel it needs it.

Another swap you can make is to use chili powder, chili flakes, or ground cayenne pepper in a recipe instead of chili sauce. Keep in mind this works best for recipes that call for a simple hot sauce and not one with a complex flavor profile.

Spice up your meals with chili sauces

Chili sauces can make a big difference in dishes. If you’re ready to add a kick to your cooking, you can stock up on chili sauces when you order your groceries via Instacart. Add all the ingredients you need to your cart and get them delivered to your doorstep in as little as 2 hours—just in time for your next meal.

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