Hot sauce is one of the staples in any kitchen these days, with the perfect amount of spiciness that adds a great depth of flavor to just about every dish. From eggs and breakfast burritos to meat and veggies, hot sauce finds its way into our meals and makes them taste even better. And thanks to craft hot sauce, you can find just about any flavor and heat level you could ever want.
But what about using hot sauce in foods you wouldn't have ever thought about? Here are 9 delicious and creative uses for hot sauce.
1. Drizzle on popcorn
Forget butter and salt, drizzle your favorite hot sauce on top of freshly popped popcorn for a spicy twist on this classic snack. The heat from the hot sauce will pair perfectly with the crunchiness of the popcorn, making it hard to resist reaching for more.
Don't knock it till you try it. The tanginess and heat of the hot sauce beautifully enhance the buttery saltiness of popcorn, creating a delightful harmony of flavors. Hot sauce and popcorn, it's your next go to snack!
2. Add It To Your Ramen
A bowl of steaming hot ramen is already packed with flavor, but adding a few drops of hot sauce can take it to the next level. Whether you prefer a traditional miso ramen or something more spicy like kimchi ramen, hot sauce can add just the right amount of heat and tanginess to your bowl.
Just don't go too crazy with it, you can always add more hot sauce in your ramen, but once it's in your bowl, there's no going back. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.
3. In your cocktails
Hot sauce isn't just for food, it can also be a flavorful addition to your cocktails. Add a few drops of hot sauce to your Bloody Mary or margarita for an extra kick and depth of flavor. You can even use hot sauces with unique flavors, like pineapple or mango, to add a fun twist to your drinks. If you're a Bloody Mary fan, you're going to have to dry it with a dill pickle hot sauce. It's a game changer!
Next time you're mixing up a cocktail, don't forget to add a splash of hot sauce. You might just discover your new favorite drink.
4. With Your Fruit
Fruit and hot sauce may seem like an odd combination, but trust us on this one. Adding a few drops of hot sauce to your fruit salad or drizzling it over pineapple slices can add a unique and delicious element to your sweet treats.
The heat from the hot sauce will balance out the sweetness of the fruit, creating a perfect blend of flavors. Everything from mangos and pineapples to watermelon and cantaloupe, hot sauce tastes amazing with fruit!
5. Creative Salad Dressings
Tired of the same old salad dressings? Add some hot sauce for a creative twist. There are several different methods to incorporate hot sauce into salad dressing. We love to include whisk the hot sauce into a vinaigrette or you can try combining it with ketchup and mayo to create a delectable Thousand Island dressing.
The possibilities are endless and delicious! Don't be afraid to experiment and find your perfect hot sauce salad dressing.
6. Try It In Your Ice Cream
Yes, you read that right. Hot sauce and ice cream make an unlikely but delicious combination. The tangy and spicy hot sauce pairs perfectly with the creamy sweetness of ice cream, creating a flavor explosion in every bite.
The contrast of hot and cold creates a captivating sensation on the palate, simultaneously sweet and spicy. Plus, it adds a unique touch to any dessert, setting it apart from conventional toppings such as chocolate syrup or caramel.
7. Add to A Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a childhood favorite, but why not add a fun new twist by drizzling hot sauce onto the sandwich before grilling it? The heat from the hot sauce will perfectly balance out the sweetness of the jelly for a mouth-watering combination.
It's so good, that it's become a regular thing around here. Trust us, it's worth trying.
8. Wake Up With Hot Sauce and Coffee
We know, coffee and hot sauce don't seem like they should go together. But if you're someone who loves a little spice in the morning, adding hot sauce to your coffee can be a game changer. Just add a few drops to your cup of joe for an unexpected kick.
It may take some getting used to, but once you do, you'll never want to drink your coffee without hot sauce again. Plus, it may even boost your metabolism and give you an extra energy kick for the day ahead!
9. Spice Up Your Cream Cheese Bagels
Bagels and cream cheese are a classic breakfast combination, but adding hot sauce to your cream cheese can give it an extra kick of flavor and heat. Simply mix in some hot sauce with your cream cheese before spreading it onto your bagel for a tasty and unique flavor.
You can even experiment with different flavors of cream cheese and hot sauce to find your perfect combination. Who knew hot sauce and bagels could go together so well?
Ready to Get Creative with Hot Sauce?
From childhood snacks to cocktails and desserts, there are endless and delicious ways to incorporate hot sauce into your meals. Don't be afraid to get creative and try new combinations, you never know what tasty surprises you may discover.
And remember, a little hot sauce can go a long way, so start small. You can always add more.
Which one of these odd uses for hot sauce are you going to try first?