If variety is truly "the spice of life," as the saying goes, then it's time to head to Trader Joe's. This beloved specialty grocer offers an impressive array of hot sauces that go far beyond the usual red variety—though those classic flavors certainly have their place. At TJ's, you'll discover a diverse selection of spicy sauces inspired by flavors from around the globe, from Mexico to Africa to Japan.
These unique condiments, with their distinctive recipes and ingredient blends, can elevate almost any dish you're preparing.
For this taste test, I sampled every Trader Joe's hot sauce I could get my hands on, assessing both their strengths and weaknesses. I paired each sauce with a batch of chicken tacos—an ideal canvas for all the flavors—and plain tortilla chips to let the tangy, fiery notes really stand out. Get ready, because things are about to heat up.
Here’s how these seven hot sauces ranked, from my least favorite to the overall best.
Sriracha Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tsp):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Trader Joe's has crafted its own take on one of America’s favorite condiments—Sriracha. This version is made with sun-ripened chili peppers, specifically red jalapenos and red Anaheim peppers, similar to the Huy Fong Foods brand. The sauce also includes salt, crushed garlic, and vinegar for added flavor, with a fire-breathing dragon on the bottle hinting at its heat level. Priced at $3.99, this Sriracha comes in a convenient squeeze bottle, which I prefer over glass for easier control, especially with sauces that pack a punch.
The Look: This Sriracha is less thick and gloopy than others I’ve tried, but it shares the familiar deep reddish-orange hue with specks of chili pepper throughout. The squeeze bottle design also minimizes pouring mishaps, which is a big plus when dealing with spicy sauces.
The Taste: Let me start by saying that I didn’t come across a single Trader Joe's hot sauce I didn’t enjoy and appreciate in its own right. However, one had to take the last spot, and unfortunately, it was the Sriracha. It’s a solid sauce—a great one, even—with a nice garlic undertone and a sweetness that, in my opinion, gives it an edge over the sharper, more peppery flavor of the Huy Fong Foods version. But it simply can’t match the originality, vibrant flavors, and pure, unfiltered spice of the other sauces in Trader Joe's lineup. It ranks as the mildest of all, at just a three out of ten on the heat scale. Would I still drizzle it over a bowl of ramen or spread it on avocado toast? Absolutely. And I’d choose it over other Sriracha options any day of the week.
Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 2 Tbsp):
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
If you were wondering, "bomba" does indeed mean "bomb" in Italian—a fact that immediately had me concerned for my taste buds. This hot sauce is made from crushed and fermented Calabrian chili peppers, sourced from Calabria in southern Italy. These peppers rank between 20,000 and 40,000 on the Scoville scale, making them about 10 times hotter than jalapenos. Yowza. Despite my apprehension, I picked up a jar for $3.49 to try at home.
The Look: It resembles a 3D version of red pepper flakes. The jar is packed with small slivers and chunks of chili peppers—skin and all—floating in a pool of juices. The fiery red color is intense, and the abundance of seeds is a clear warning sign for anyone cautious about spice.
The Taste: This is one bomba that detonates immediately. While Trader Joe's claims the spice builds gradually, I have to strongly disagree. There were no subtle hints; just one taste, and my mouth was instantly on fire. Beyond the heat, the sauce—more of a paste, really—bursts with the fresh, juicy flavor of the peppers, complemented by a touch of acidity from the oily base. It’s a bold and zesty relish, but its uses might be somewhat limited, likely best suited for dishes drenched in red sauce, like traditional pizza or pasta. With that in mind, I turned my attention to a more versatile condiment.
Jalapeño Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 2 Tbsp):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Carbohydrates: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Would you believe me if I told you this sauce is made up of over 50% jalapeño peppers? (Spoiler: It’s true.) Jalapeños take center stage in this staple Trader Joe's condiment, combined with just a few other ingredients like canola oil, onion, and simple spices such as garlic and onion powder. With so many peppers packed in, the $3.49 bottle was bound to bring some heat. However, after braving the Calabrian peppers, I figured this jalapeño mix would be a walk in the park.
The Look: It sports a muted pale green shade, much lighter than fresh jalapeños. Surprisingly, it’s incredibly thick and creamy despite containing no dairy—it's actually 100% vegan!
The Taste: Without seeing the label, I would have guessed that avocado was an ingredient in this sauce. The initial mouthfeel and flavor are reminiscent of avocado's buttery texture and subtle taste. At first, the jalapeño flavor is mild, but it eventually makes its presence known with a swift kick that lingers in the back of your mouth and throat. I appreciated the creaminess of this sauce—a unique quality among hot sauces—and found it paired perfectly with my chicken tacos. However, the Jalapeño Sauce falls short in versatility, making it a bit of a one-trick pony, which is why it was overshadowed by a few other more flavorful sauces.
Peri Peri Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tsp):
- Calories: 10
- Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Trader Joe's describes its Peri Peri sauce as "a one-sauce-fits-all condiment," and it seems shoppers wholeheartedly agree. During my research, I discovered that people are putting this sauce on just about everything, and even the cashier at the store couldn't stop singing its praises. However, he did offer a word of caution: a little goes a long way. This South African-inspired sauce draws its heat from a combination of fermented chilis and dried chili flakes, which are then blended with lemon juice, sunflower oil, garlic, and salt. The popular bottle is priced at $3.49.
The Look: It has an opaque, orange color, reminiscent of a velvety buffalo sauce or hot sauce mixed with a creamy ranch dressing.
The Taste: The sauce is actually thinner than it looks, and the first flavor to hit my palate was a sharp citric acidity—the lemon is very prominent. The rest of the orange sauce is less defined and not as "rich" and "complex" as the bottle claims. There’s definitely some heat, but it’s milder than I expected, ranking below the Italian Bomba on the spice scale. A peppery flavor eventually surfaces, balancing the citrus notes, but there's also a slightly stale aftertaste, likely from the dried chili flakes. It’s still a decent sauce, but a bit of a letdown after all the hype and positive reviews. I’ve heard it works better as a marinade than as a finishing sauce, so I might try that next.
Chunky Garlic & Jalapeño Hot Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tsp):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
This spicy bottle didn’t start flying off Trader Joe's shelves until last year in 2023, but it seems to be solidifying its place as a pantry staple. Combining the flavors of brined jalapeño peppers and umami-rich garlic, it pays homage to the hot sauces popular along California's Central Coast. Impressively, it’s even made with ingredients grown in Gilroy, California. It joins the classic Jalapeño Sauce as another option in Trader Joe's lineup of moderately spicy condiments. I picked up this spicy newcomer for $3.99.
The Look: The sauce isn’t overly thick but has a viscous texture with chunks of minced garlic dispersed throughout. Its color is a deep reddish-brown, even darker than Sriracha.
The Taste: This sauce is quite complex. The rich garlic aroma, combined with onion powder and other smoky seasonings, creates a flavorful mix. The distinct green pepper taste of the jalapeños is less pronounced, but their subtle heat is felt throughout the entire bottle. Overall, I think the flavors work well together. It’s almost on the verge of being a crave-worthy salsa—add some diced tomatoes, and you’re there. However, I can see how some might find it a bit too salty and may wish for more spice and a stronger pepper presence.
Green Dragon Hot Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tsp):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- Protein: 0 g
If you’re on the hunt for a verde sauce, Trader Joe's has you covered—seriously, is there anything this little market can’t do? I’m beginning to think the answer is no. The Green Dragon Hot Sauce features a classic blend of jalapeño peppers, tomatillo puree, vinegar, cilantro puree (my personal favorite ingredient), garlic, lime juice, and habanero pepper powder for an extra kick—because why not? This plastic squeeze bottle is priced at $3.79.
The Look: The sauce has a medium consistency, falling somewhere between chunky and thin. Its forest or olive-green color likely comes from the tomatillo puree and jalapeños, with cilantro flakes adding a speckled appearance.
The Taste: If you’re not a fan of cilantro or find it soapy, this sauce might not be for you. But for everyone else, you’re in for a flavorful, spice-filled treat. With tomatillos as the base, the sauce starts off sweet with hints of garlic and, of course, the distinct taste of cilantro. The heat gradually builds, delivering a balanced spice from fresh jalapeños and habanero powder. The flavor finishes with a burst of lime juice acidity. This is a go-to verde sauce, the kind I’d be thrilled to find at an authentic Mexican restaurant. I’d drizzle it on tacos (as I did), burritos, eggs, and more, or even scoop it up with tortilla chips.
Yuzu Hot Sauce
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tsp):
- Calories: 0
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Yuzu is a small citrus fruit, similar in appearance to a yellow lime, that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. At Trader Joe's, known for its diverse offerings, yuzu makes an appearance in various products, including sparkling water, spreads, and this unique hot sauce. Not to be confused with the Yuzu Kosho paste also sold at the store, this hot sauce is much thinner and more saturated, thanks to the inclusion of small-batch vinegar. The $3.99 glass bottle contains just vinegar, yuzu zest, chili pepper, and salt—a simple yet bold fusion of citrus and spice.
The Look: I have to admit, it resembles dirty dishwater. The murky yellow-brown liquid is very watery and thin, with various colored particles floating throughout.
The Taste: This is one of the most unique hot sauces—or sauces in general—that I've ever tasted. It has a strong citrusy base that’s tart and sweet, almost like a refreshing vinaigrette. Balancing this are the pronounced flavors of vinegar and peppers. The spice doesn’t hit in a wave but rather as prickles on your tongue that quickly fade. With its vinegar, salt, and thin consistency, I’d compare it to Tabasco sauce, but with the distinctive tartness of yuzu instead of a strong red pepper presence. The Yuzu Hot Sauce is light enough to complement fish or even a salad, yet bold enough to elevate dishes like rice or pasta. With its unique flavor and remarkable versatility, it’s certainly making a mark in the world of spice.