What are the top 5 HAB Sauces and why? The Creator's Favorite HAB Sauces (And What He Puts Them On)
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When people ask, "What's your favorite HAB Sauce?" it's a surprisingly difficult question to answer. Every bottle was created for a reason, and every recipe has its own personality. But after years of experimenting, tasting, tweaking, and putting HAB Sauce on just about everything imaginable, there are five sauces I find myself reaching for again and again.
If you're new to HAB Sauce or wondering what to try next, here's my personal top five.
1. Smoked Gochugaru 🌶🌶🌶
If I could only keep one bottle in my refrigerator, this might be it.
Smoked Gochugaru started as our Smoked Cherrywood Sauce, which was already one of my favorites. But adding Korean gochugaru pepper, fresh ginger, and a touch of MSG completely transformed it. It became richer, more balanced, and incredibly addictive.
It's one of those sauces that somehow makes almost everything taste better without overpowering the food.
My favorite foods:
- Pizza
- Chicken
- Tacos
- Steak
- Breakfast burritos
Heat Level: Medium
2. MSG'ZUS 🌶🌶
This one surprises people.
The first thing most people notice is that it tastes almost like a spicy marinara with hints of Parmesan cheese, even though there's absolutely no Parmesan in it.
It's savory, comforting, and ridiculously versatile. Sometimes the simplest meals become the best ones with just a little MSG'ZUS.
My favorite foods:
- Chicken breast
- Eggs
- Potatoes
- Pasta
- Grilled cheese
- As a ketchup substitute
Heat Level: Mild-ish
3. Imperial Fire Hot Mustard 🌶🌶
I wanted to create my own version of the classic Chinese takeout mustard, but one I'd actually want to keep using after the egg rolls were gone. This is where the Imperial Fire Hot Mustard came in.
It has that familiar mustard kick with a HAB Sauce twist, and I've found myself putting it on way more than I ever expected.
My favorite foods:
- Hot dogs
- Sandwiches
- Burgers
- Pizza (trust me on this one)
Heat Level: Mild-ish
4. Banana Pepper Lemon Reaper 🌶🌶🌶🌶
It's the Banana Pepper Lemon Reaper! Don't let the name scare you.
Yes, it has Carolina Reaper peppers, but this sauce was designed with flavor first. It's definitely hot, but the bright banana pepper and lemon balance the heat so you can actually enjoy everything that's going on.
If you're a pepperoni pizza fan, this sauce was practically made for you.
I also love it on breakfast burritos, and honestly, I'm usually eating with three or four different HAB Sauces on the table anyway.
My favorite foods:
- Pepperoni pizza
- Breakfast burritos
- Tacos
- Grilled meats
Heat Level: Hot
5. Oregon Seaweed Chili Crisp 🌶
This Oregon Seaweed Chili Crisp challenged me more than almost any other recipe we've made.
I wasn't sure how people would react to seaweed, but the response has been incredible. Even people who say they don't like seaweed end up loving this sauce.
The seaweed doesn't dominate the flavor. Instead, it brings an incredible layer of savory umami that keeps you coming back for another bite. It's not especially spicy, it's simply packed with flavor.
If you've never tried HAB Sauce before and could only choose one bottle, this is probably the one I'd recommend.
My favorite foods:
- Eggs
- Rice dishes
- Stir fry
- Straight off the spoon
Heat Level: Mild
Final Thoughts
People often ask which HAB Sauce they should start with, but the truth is there isn't a wrong answer. Every bottle was created to offer something different, whether you're looking for smoky barbecue flavors, bold Asian-inspired ingredients, rich umami, or just the perfect finishing touch for your favorite meal.
That said, if you want to know what's usually sitting on my kitchen counter, it's these five.
And yes...there are usually three or four open bottles on the table at the same time.
Because around here, one sauce is rarely enough.
