When I was growing up, the only hot sauce I knew of was Tabasco. And I hated it. Not the spiciness of it, but simply the flavor.
As I got out on my own, I learned that there were other hot sauces out there, but frankly I assumed that they’d taste more or less like Tabasco and stayed away from them. (I know that many people love Tabasco — my husband is one — but it just hits me wrong.)
In 2002, I had a revelation. We were in Baja and met a couple camping on the beach — he was Jamaican, she Canadian. They invited us to dinner one night — and served us fish with “hot sauce.” Since the sauce was already on the fish, I didn’t have much of a choice and took a first, tentative bite.
It was good. Really good. And while the “hot sauce” had a bit of spice to it, it was more tangy than hot. That was when I learned about Pickapeppa Sauce (it’s Jamaican, explaining how they had it).
Since then, I’ve tried lots of other hot sauces now that I know they don’t all taste like Tabasco. But I always return to Pickapeppa as my favorite. And the good news is that it’s getting more and more widely available every year. Lots of places sell it online in the US and well as in stores; I’m told it’s fairly easy to find on most Caribbean islands. I never found it in Mexico, but it was easy to slip several bottles into my luggage on trips to see family.
I use Pickapeppa in lots of dishes — Tuxedo Soup and other bean soups, meatloaf, crabcakes, jambalaya, gumbo, fish, in barbecue sauces and more. It adds flavor without undue heat. A number of friends who tell me they don’t like Tabasco have liked Pickapeppa — to the point where they’ve asked me where to buy it!
I know that taste is all a matter of individual preference, but if you’re like me and haven’t really liked the hot sauces you’ve tried, think about trying Pickapeppa. I like their original best (the bottle in the photo at the top of this article), but their Spicy Mango is pretty good lightly brushed on grilled chicken, too. NOTE: there is also a Pickapeppa Hot Mango Sauce and a Hot Pepper Sauce — both of these are quite spicy; I don’t like the “Hot Pepper Sauce.”
I can find the original Pickapeppa in one local grocery store (town of 20,000) and often see it in gourmet shops when traveling. It’s also available online:
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Diana Hall Mitchell says
It’s yummy when poured over a block of cream cheese and eaten with your fav cracker!
The Boat Galley says
I’ve heard that a couple places and have never tried it. I’ll have to! I love jalapeno jelly over cream cheese that way.
Lisa Bastian says
That classic, yummy recipe is what we at Pickapeppa call “The Big Easy” and is made with the original Pickapeppa Sauce. A variation from a fan who is a chef is to add tiny salad shrimp on top of the cream cheese block.
Quinn says
I tried it for the first time when I was doing field research in Puerto Rico ages ago. Thanks for reminding me!
Gloria Rooney says
I love hot things, but I especially like spicy and flavorable things. Pickapeppa is a definite go-to ingredient that even makes leftovers like chicken and steak special when you add some sliced veggies – just stir, heat and eat!
tami says
second the Pickapeppa over cream cheese; everyone does that down here. I’ve used it for years for marinades for pork, chicken, shrimp.
When in the ilons, or at specialty stores in the States, you can also find Matouk’s brand sauces which are pretty hot but have really good flavor.
Peter S says
I have been buying it in the gallon size lately. Found a couple of sites online that sell it in the US. Our family has been using this sauce for over 40 years. We really enjoy it.
LISA BASTIAN says
Peter, those individuals who buy our sauces in the gallon size, which is 128 ounces, are called “Super Fans”! We’re happy to have you on board as one of them. The original Pickapeppa Sauce flavors does NOT have to be refrigerated; but mango flavors do. So you can leave your jug on the counter and not take up fridge space. We have a lot of grillers in particular who buy sauce by the gallon.
Karen Meyers Haver says
Love this sauce! I’m an early adopter. It is a little more like a zippy Worcestershire sauce than a traditional “hot” sauce.
The Boat Galley says
Great way to describe it!
Claire McCloskey Ford says
We discovered this at Jason’s Deli when they would put it on their tuna sandwich. They’ve since stopped using it, but we buy it all the time. Love it on tuna. We found some large bottles one time, but now can only find the small ones. Bummer.
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
Pickapeppa is outstanding. It is a great foundation for many marinades.
Tabasco on the other hand is not very good. It’s hot but really doesn’t taste like anything.
Barbara Bland says
I discovered Pickapeppa 30+ years ago while living in Louisiana. Love it! I’ve since found it in Oklahoma and Virginia grocery stores. One fella I knew years ago traveled all over the world with a small bottle of Tabasco in his pocket and put it on everything he ate. Claimed it kills germs, but it doesn’t like me and so would likely kill me too, ha ha.
Claire McCloskey Ford says
We started using this on tuna sandwiches when Jason’s Deli used it. Jason’s no longer uses it, but we do. Made sure we had 6 bottles when we returned to the boat in August since we didn’t find it in any Maryland stores. We’re down South now, and it’s getting easier to find.
Dody White says
You can get it on Amazon
Cory Nickerson says
Also for those who struggle finding hot sauce that isn’t mostly vinegar, Tapatios is just red pepper and water, nothing else. Good taste not super hot and no vinegar.
Dave Skolnick says
Pickapeppa is great as a marinade, especially for chicken. I personally don’t consider it a hot sauce – it’s a pepper sauce.
Tabasco is just hot and doesn’t really taste like anything. Our hot sauce collection includes Cholula and Tiger Sauce.
Peggy Stone says
On cream cheese with crackers.
Ritchard Findlay says
I have a religious devotion to Frank’s
Louis Derry says
It needs to be hot enough for me to not be able to drink the entire bottle in one sitting .
Larry Wilson says
I love Pickapeppa, especially on lamb and pork. Also TryMe Tiger Sauce
Rosalind Franks says
Love tiger sauce. Will have to try pickapeppa
The Boat Galley says
I’ll have to try the Tiger Sauce.
Lee Stinson says
I had not tried Pickapeppa before and bought a bottle of the hot mango on the clearance shelf for a buck and absolutely loved it, I will have to try the regular since it is readily available in the Dallas area grocery stores. I hope y’all have many enjoyable years sailing. Oh BTW, Walmart sells all the Pickapeppa online to pickup in your closest store at good prices.
Irvine Alpert says
Love the stuff!
Renee says
I love it too! I like to add it to bloody marys for a smokey flavor. I think it’s a cross between worchestershire and Heinz 57!
michele says
Sounds awesome. I will have to try it. I have discovered Cholula Chipotle Hot sauce. It adds a great smoky flavor to dishes.
LISA ANN BASTIAN says
Thank you for this authentic and positive review of our original and best-selling flavor, Pickapeppa Sauce. One correction: The online webstore for Pickapeppa is actually found here: http://www.Pickapeppa.com — maintained by the company that imports 95% of Pickapeppa into the United States. Has “.com” extension. As referenced by our dear author, Pickapappa sauce flavors are sold throughout the country at major retailers and specialty stores. For recipes, go here https://pickapeppasauce.co/recipe or here https://www.pickapeppa.com/index.php?route=extension/ciblog/ciblog ~ Lisa Bastian, PR Director for Pickapeppa/Warbac Sales