10 Hot Sauces to Keep in Your Bag
Beyoncé blessed the world twice over this weekend with the surprise drop of her epic new single, “Formation,” on Saturday and again on Sunday, with a live performance at the Super Bowl.
I’ve been listening to Queen Bey’s track on repeat, and—like everyone else at this point—am pretty fascinated by the lyrics to the song, and already have spotted people hashtagging one particular line like crazy on social media: “They’ll never take the country out of me/I got hot sauce in my bag/Swag.” And in case you’re asking yourself if this is the best food-related pop music proclamation since Kanye angrily told some poor waiter to “hurry up with my damn croissant,” yes, it is. One hundred percent.
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Those lyrics, of course, took me down the rabbit hole of line analysis. What kind of hot sauce does Bey carry with her at all times? Does she prefer packets or bottles? Packets, mini or full-sized? Regular, smoky, chipotle, or something with more of a foodie twist?
With nothing left to do but speculate, I sought out to find my own handbag-friendly hot sauce. And, of course, obsess over Beyoncé’s own new saucy merch.
The classic choice for a casual hot sauce lover, and low risk of spillage.
Huy Fong Sriracha packets, $14.99 for 50; at Sriracha2Go
We recommend customizing this one with “Smack It.”
Customized Sriracha2Go, $3.49; at Sriracha2Go
The LBD of hot sauce. Timeless, classic, and appropriate in any bag.
Original Red Hot Sauce, 55 cents; at Tabasco
For the gourmet who can’t bear to see her friends deprived of the best hot sauce at brunch.
BLis Blast Bourbon Barrel-Aged Hot Pepper Sauce, $20 for two bottles; at Food52
A sauce for all seasons.
Wild Fire Hot Sauce Set, $44; at Uncommon Goods
Even if you don’t like it hot, keep this sauce in your bag at all times.
Forge Mild Hot Sauce, $9.75; at Mouth
Show off your love of international cuisine with this spicy confection.
Bangkok Thai Chile Hot Sauce, $11.25; at Mouth
A bag of hot sauce to put in your bag. So meta.
Cholula Hot Sauce, bundle of 100, $16.28; at Amazon
Buy in bulk so you’ll never run out.
Texas Pete Hot Sauce, $14.95 for 5; at Amazon
If hot and spicy isn’t for you, no judgment if you switch to something equally delicious, like smoked paprika.
Spanish Smoked Paprika, $15; at Ila
Oh, and here’s the official hot sauce bag. All hail.
