What is chimichurri sauce?

Chimichurri is a South American sauce that can be used as a cooking ingredient or as a table condiment for grilled meats. It mostly likely originated in Argentina, but can be found in neighboring countries like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. Its popularity has spread throughout South and Central America to the point where you can find it in many Latin American cuisines.

What is in chimichurri sauce?

Similar to the salsa rojo and salsa verde distinctions, there are two kinds of chimichurri sauce: green and red. Recipes vary, but green chimichurri tends to be some combination of the following, in order of importance: chopped parsley, garlic, olive oil, chili peppers, red pepper flakes, oregano, red wine vinegar, and red onion. 

Red chimichurri switches out the parsley-heavy recipe of the green version for roasted red peppers, more chilis and red pepper flakes, and paprika. Both versions are thick and chunky with loads of flavor.

What does chimichurri taste like?

Speaking of flavor, chimichurri is loaded with it—but the precise flavor profile depends on the version you have. Green chimichurri is herby and bright, with a bit of kick from both the acid in the vinegar and the spice from the peppers. 

Red chimichurri maintains all these flavors, but it will be heavier on the heat than the herbaceousness, thanks to the prominence of the red peppers. The peppers also give it a tinge of sweetness.

Is chimichurri spicy?

Again, this depends on green vs red and which recipe you follow. Anytime you are adding ingredients like chilis and red pepper flakes, there’s going to be some heat. But in green chimichurri, it’s balanced really well with the other flavors. 

Red chimichurri can bring the spice, but it still doesn’t compare to sriracha or most hot sauces. It’s a nice combination of chili spice with the herbs and acids added from the other ingredients. Chimichurri sauce, red or green, has never made me sweat or reach for the milk.

How do you use chimichurri?

The main use for chimichurri is on grilled meat: chicken, steak, goat, etc. The meat can be basted with chimichurri during the cooking process, or a dollop of the sauce can be tossed on top of it after the cooking is done.

Chimichurri has diversified over the years and has become a standard condiment that can be used where any other condiment may come in handy. For example: eggs. Slapping down some verde on your hangover brunch will cure what ails you. 

Other uses for chimichurri include taco sauce, roasted vegetable drizzle, chip dip, salad dressing, baked potato fixin’, ice cream topping. The world is yours.

The post What Is Chimichurri and Is It Spicy? appeared first on Sporked.

As we continue to update our best mayonnaise ranking, we check for new products (you know, like Kraft’s Dill Pickle Mayo), flavors we haven’t had the chance to try, brands we’ve missed, and of course, any suggestions we receive from you, the reader. As it turns out, people have a lot of passion for this fairly basic but (truly essential) condiment. We totally get it—we won’t name names, but some of us on the Sporked team put the best mayonnaise brands above all other condiments.   
So, what do we look for in the best tasting mayo? We’re glad you asked. For the most part, we think it should have a nice, custardy texture. It shouldn’t seem too oily (yes, we’re fully aware that mayonnaise is an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, and acid, but it should taste like oil). The texture of a mayonnaise is paramount. It should be viscous but not gelatinous. Moreover, mayonnaise should have great flavor. We looked for salt, acidity, and a little umami. Lastly, mayonnaise shouldn’t be too sweet. And before you ask, yeah, we tasted Miracle Whip.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Truff Black Truffle Infused Mayonnaise

Amazon

Best Splurge

This is one to savor. The intense, earthy truffle flavor vaults this mayonnaise into fancy territory, but it’s subtle enough that you can use it for just about anything. Put it in potato salad or chicken salad, slather it on a sandwich, or, hell, use it as a dip for chips. People love to hate on truffle oil, but you know what? The flavor just works in mayo; this stuff is pungent and rich with truffle flavor. Plus, this splurge isn’t too splurge-y. It’s nice without totally breaking the bank. Needless to say this is the best truffle mayo we tried, but it deserves to be named among the best mayonnaise regardless. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best for Tex Mex

McCormick Mayo with Lime Juice

Walmart

This lime-infused mayo from McCormick combines a thicker, Kewpie-esque texture with a bright lime juice flavor. The lime is zingy without being too acidic or sour—it’s very balanced and, thanks to the hint of red pepper, pretty nuanced, too. If you want to experiment with different condiments for New American or Tex Mex dishes, this is one of the best mayos you can buy. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best for Everything

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

I recently got turned on to Blue Plate, and it absolutely rules. It has a sharp, tart bite like Duke’s (which you’ll find in the #3 spot) and it’s a bit more eggy. To us, this is a happy marriage of Hellmann’s and Duke’s. It’s not the best mayonnaise, but it’s definitely up there! Blue Plate is a stellar mayo that’s great to keep around. I like to combine it with Hunt’s ketchup to make a tangy and savory special sauce for burgers or fries. Man, the South just does mayo right. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best for Pickle Lovers

Kraft Pickle Mayonnaise Dressing

Walmart

Love it or hate it, the pickle-flavored-foods trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. And if that means we get more products like Kraft Pickle Mayo, well, we’re all for it. Sporked writer Jessica Block calls this tangy, garlicky mayo the “the perfect blend of burger sauce and tzatziki,” and as the current owner of this condiment (I took this bad boy home from work), I wholeheartedly agree. It has a fresh cucumber finish, bits of dill pickle, and a great balance of flavors that doesn’t overdo anything. In my opinion, it’s the best mayonnaise for a tuna melt—but I’m very open to other suggestions, too. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Light Mayonnaise

Kraft Light Mayo

Walmart

If you’d asked me a few days ago what I thought about Kraft mayo, I would’ve had literally nothing to say. I forgot Kraft even made mayonnaise. And while their regular mayo is good, their light mayo is one of the best mayos on the market. It has the exact same texture as regular, full-fat mayo, and I don’t know how they do it. The flavor is rich and super tangy. We were all huge fans of this mayo in the Sporked office, and I will be purchasing this again in the future. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Vegan

Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Original Vegenaise

Walmart

Follow Your Heart rarely misses. Most of the products we’ve tried from this vegan brand, from cheeses to salad dressings, have been sensational. When it comes to the very best Follow Your Heart products, their Original Vegenaise is at the top of that list. It’s creamy, rich, and has a slight twang. This plant-based mayo is nearly indistinguishable from egg-based mayo. If you follow a plant-based diet or have an egg allergy, this is the best vegan mayo you can buy. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Chipotle Mayo

McCormick Chipotle Mayo

Instacart

This McCormick Chipotle Mayonnaise tastes homemade. There’s not a weird chemical or citric acid taste. The flavor is pure mayonnaise, garlic, and smoky chipotle peppers in adobo. If you made tuna, chicken, or egg salad with this, your head would explode, but this would also be delicious on a turkey avocado sandwich. I brought this home from work because I plan to put it on everything. I absolutely adore this chipotle mayo. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Umami

Kewpie Mayonnaise

Amazon

Target

The taste of Kewpie is certainly striking. This classic Japanese mayonnaise tastes like cold hollandaise sauce  because of the strong egg flavor. There’s also a hint of sweetness and a slight tang. Kewpie is like a smooth, spreadable egg salad. We would eat it all by itself on some white bread—how many condiments can you do that with? As far as I know, it’s the only mayonnaise to add MSG. I applaud that. Kewpie is great with sandwiches, french fries, sushi, salads, and so much more. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

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Best Spicy Mayo

Acid League Spicy Serrano Mayo

Acid League

Acid League’s Spicy Serrano Mayo even surpassed Sporked’s beloved Mayoracha in our spicy mayo ranking—and let me tell you, that’s no easy feat. But this carefully crafted spicy mayo carries the distinct flavor of serrano pepper. It’s tangy, citrusy, and extra creamy. The acidity, zest, and medium heat leaves a special impression that’s also versatile to use, without alienating those more sensitive to spice. We really recommend this for sushi, tacos, and fried fish sandwiches. (Perhaps… a fried sushi sandwich?) It’s pricey, but the best mayo is worth it. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Acid League

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Flavor

Duke’s Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

Amazon

I freaking love Duke’s. Duke’s is what homemade mayo should taste like. It’s just got such a lovely, sharp, citrusy bite. Duke’s actually tastes like citrus was used to make it, much like a homemade mayonnaise. Plus, it’s got a touch of paprika. It tastes like a fresh aioli. The only downside is that the texture is a bit too slick. It feels kind of oily, whereas Hellmann’s (our number one pick, spoiler) has that nice eggy consistency. The way I see it: Hellmann’s has better texture, whereas Duke’s has better flavor. Still, it’s among the best mayo on the market. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Sriracha Mayo

Heinz Mayoracha

Walmart

I wouldn’t normally buy something like this and I certainly didn’t expect for it to rank so high on our list of the best mayonnaise. The name is corny, and why do I need a company to premix mayo and sriracha for me? Realistically, I don’t. However, this tastes awesome. It’s great quality mayo mixed with the most delicious sriracha to give you a product that is creamy, spicy, garlicky, and just plain wonderful. I’d never bought this before, but I will buy this in the future to put on sandwiches, sushi, rice bowls, and more. I love it! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best of The Best

Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

Amazon

This was tough, but I stick by the choice. Hellmann’s (not Best Foods) is the best mayonnaise. It is triumphantly decadent—eggy, rich, and flavorful. Mythical Chef and town madman Josh Scherer described it as “eggy pudding.” That’s because it’s the mayonnaise that most resembles a custard, and it’s jam-packed with flavorful fat. This savory mayo has less acidic bite than say, Duke’s, but the texture is indisputably excellent. Hellmann’s is less citrusy than some other mayos, but it’s still perfectly tart, with an accessible flavor to please the masses. That means you can use it for just about everything (see: cupcakes). Most of all, it feels like a human being made this mayonnaise in a kitchen with a whisk, not a robot in a factory. To us, that’s incredible. Hellmann’s reigns supreme as the best mayonnaise you can buy. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Best Foods Real Mayonnaise, Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, Great Value Mayo, Kraft Real Mayo, Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, First Street Real Mayonnaise, Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, Sprouts Organic Mayonnaise, Boar’s Head Real Mayonnaise, Trader Joe’s Organic Mayonnaise, Stokes Real Mayonnaise, Nando’s Perinaise, Light Great Value, Best Foods Light, Sir Kensington Chipotle, Hellman’s Spicy, Sir Kensington Sriracha Mayo, Kikoman Sriracha Mayo, Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Mayo, Hellman’s Light, Best Foods Tajin Chili Lime Mayonnaise Dressing

The post We Ranked the Best Mayonnaise Brands appeared first on Sporked.

Good horseradish sauce plays by the rules of sauce: There should be at least three to four different ingredients working together to make sauce. Bonus points if it’s an “emulsion.” We love to say the word emulsion around the Sporked office. Go ahead and give it a try. Emulsion! Fun, right?

Now, we did also happen to find the best prepared horseradish for you purists out there. And, during our most recent taste test, we found the best horseradish mustard, too. Here are the best horseradish brands to buy, whether you’re looking for the best prime rib horseradish sauce, a spread for your roast beef sandwiches, or just something to inhale when you need to wake up.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Horseradish Mustard

Koops Horseradish Mustard

Walmart

We tried a bunch of horseradish mustard brands in our most recent horseradish sauce taste taste, and Koops was the only one to taste like both horseradish and mustard. It’s spicy and tangy and complex. And it has this great grainy texture. I’ll be using this on a cold roast beef sandwich, for sure, as well as on an all-beef hot dog. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Preapred Horseradish

Bubbies Prepared Horseradish

Instacart

Bubbies prepared horseradish has a really nice balance of flavor. It’s salty, tangy, a little sweet, and has just enough horseradish kick without completely clearing out your sinuses. Bubbies uses mustard oil in their horseradish, so there’s a pungent, concentrated mustard flavor that permeates every bite of sauce. The ingredients are simple and excellent: horseradish, cane sugar, white vinegar, mustard oil, water, and salt, so the result is fresh and bright. This is the best prepared horseradish we tasted. Enjoy it with meat or put it on broiled fish or even on a raw oyster. Or, if you want to spice up a crispy fried fish sandwich, use Bubbies there, too. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Mild Horseradish

Arby’s Horsey Sauce

Walmart

Most of the horseradish sauces on this list will clear your nasal passages with one bite. That is not the case with Arby’s famous Horsey Sauce, which you can now buy in bottles right off the shelf. It’s extremely mild. And it’s also extremely creamy. It still has some kick, though. It ends with some horseradish-y zest rather than spice. Personally, I like how seasoned it is. It’s really savory, so it instantly adds flavor to any bland food. Obviously this is some of the best horseradish sauce for a roast beef sandwich (as long as you don’t want any real spice), but it’s also a good dip for fries or a fun topping for a baked potato. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best for Prime Rib

Beaver Hot Cream Horseradish

Amazon

Instacart

Beaver makes some of the best honey mustard, and they make a heater of a horseradish sauce, too. “It really creeps up on you,” Sporked’s Jordan Myrick said as her right eye started to twitch a little bit. It’s subtle, but like death itself, it will get you in the end. The burn is gentle, though, and there’s a slight bit of fruitiness that comes through as well. Way to tame the heat, Beaver. That sneaky heat makes this some of the best horseradish sauce for prime rib. The heat will help cut through the fat, but it won’t totally overwhelm the meaty star of the show. It’s also some of the best creamy horseradish sauce we tried, and that texture works really well with an old-school thick cut of prime rib. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best with Steak

Morehouse Cream Style Horseradish

Amazon

Instacart

Morehouse has an unstoppable tang that doesn’t get too bogged down by other flavor enhancers or dairy. This creamy heat makes it the best horseradish sauce for steak. Morehouse is spicy, but not so hot that it ruins things completely. If you’ve got a cut of meat or a sandwich that’s super rich and fatty, use Morehouse to cut through that decadence and brighten things up—skip the filet mignon and opt for a marbled porterhouse instead. Morehouse, in all of its tangy, spicy glory, feels like the best accompaniment to a simply prepared steak. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

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Best with Sausage

Boar’s Head Pub Style Horseradish

Amazon

Instacart

What does pub style mean? Near as I can tell, it means it has a mustard base. Most of the horseradish sauces on this list don’t feature mustard seed, but Boar’s Head does. The result is a honey mustard-like tang with a bit of horseradish kick and some sugar to tame the bright flavors. It would go great with any protein, but I mostly think this is the best horseradish for  a sausage sandwich. The sweet tang and spice will balance out the fattiness of pork quite nicely. Picture any good brat, kielbasa, or longaniza with Boar’s Head Pub Style horseradish. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

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Best of the Best

Woeber’s Sandwich Pal Horseradish Sauce

Amazon

Sandwich Pal sounds like the name of a podcast hosted by two white dudes, and it’s also a great name for the best horseradish sauce. The texture is creamy (it’s made with egg yolks), slightly sweet (add in corn syrup), and has plenty of spicy horseradish bite. “The texture is so smooth and delicious,” said Jordan. “It stings the back of your tongue. I’m going to fight to take this home.” We all put our hands up and slowly backed away when they said that. Put Woeber’s Sandwich Pal Horseradish Sauce on any sandwich to add some creamy and zesty zip. It remains the best horseradish sauce after two separate taste tests. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

More horseradish sauces we tried: Kroger Horseradish Sauce, Kinder’s Creamy Horseradish, Great Value Horseradish Mustard, Kroger Horseradish Mustard, Atomic Extra Hot Horseradish Sauce, Annie’s Horseradish Mustard, Beanos Sauce Heavenly Horseradish, Silver Spring Horseradish, Reese’s Horseradish, Inglehoffer Horseradish, Kraft Horseradish, Golds White Horseradish, Dietz & Watson Horseradish Sauce, Captain Toady’s Horseradish Sauce, Stonewall Kitchen Horseradish Cream

The post Best Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib, Steak, Sandwiches, and More appeared first on Sporked.

The stir fry is an integral part of East Asian cooking, and thankfully North American cooking, too.  It has so many wonderful iterations: There’s Korean beef stir fry, Japanese yaki udon, Filipino pancit, spicy Szechuan stir fry, Hawaiian stir fry with Spam, fragrant, herb-forward Thai stir fry—the list goes on and on. Perhaps most familiar to us in the U.S., though, is the North American Chinese stir fry, which was popularized by Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century. In this taste test, we were looking for a little bit of everything.

It’s hard to rank all the styles of stir fry sauces because they’re so different, but the one constant in stir fry is soy sauce. So we looked for strong umami first and foremost. Give us a lasting, salty, pungent  flavor. Then, we looked for additional herbs and aromatics—basil, garlic, onion, chilis, and the like are all welcome. We wanted sauces that could elevate any dish, from meats to fresh veggies, with ease. From the best beef stir fry sauce to the best stir fry sauce for vegetables, here’s what we recommend to wet your wok. 

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Soy Free

Ocean’s Halo Soy-Free Stir Fry Sauce

Walmart

I’m really impressed with this stir fry sauce. It tastes salty and savory just like soy sauce, only it has no soy in it. It’s made with organic sugar, sea salt, molasses, apple cider vinegar, corn starch, sunflower oil, mushrooms, kelp, and spices. It has big-time umami from the kelp and mushrooms, and a wonderful sweetness from the sugar and molasses. This is obviously the best stir fry sauce if you’re allergic to soy, but everyone at the table will enjoy it. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

6.5/10

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Best Spicy Hunan Style Stir Fry Sauce

Private Selection Spicy Hunan Style Stir Fry Sauce

Instacart

The ingredients in this Kroger-brand stir fry sauce are pretty simple—mainly, tamari soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes—but still incredibly effective. From start to finish, you get an immediate, lingering ginger bite that enhances the sauce’s heat without overpowering the other savory ingredients. Sometimes, a ginger-forward stir fry sauce can dominate the dish, but they really nailed the balance here. It’s a very versatile sauce, but I find it best with simple dishes, like crispy tofu, shrimp stir fry, and seared broccoli. It’s possibly the best stir fry sauce for vegetables I’ve tried yet, to be honest. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Sesame

P.F. Chang’s Sesame Sauce

Walmart

This sesame sauce is very, very simple: It tastes sweet, and it tastes like sesame. That’s about it, but it’s still quite good. The toasted sesame seeds permeate the sauce, and the flavor is just so delightfully nutty. Use this at home for a General Tso’s chicken-style stir fry, and you’ll be happy. Sweet and nutty flavor profiles are excellent partners for stir fry. That flavor profile is popular throughout North America for a reason—it tastes really good. Pro tip: Sesame-based sauces make some of the best sauce for stir fry noodles, too. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best with Tofu

Whole Foods 365 Organic Stir Fry Sauce

Amazon

This sesame sauce is very, very simple: It tastes sweet, and it tastes like sesame. That’s about it, but it’s still quite good. The toasted sesame seeds permeate the sauce, and the flavor is just so delightfully nutty. Use this at home for a General Tso’s chicken-style stir fry, and you’ll be happy. Sweet and nutty flavor profiles are excellent partners for stir fry. That flavor profile is popular throughout North America for a reason—it tastes really good. Pro tip: Sesame-based sauces make some of the best sauce for stir fry noodles, too. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Ginger-Based

Yai’s Thai Garlic Ginger Stir Fry Sauce

Amazon

This is the whole garden in one stir fry sauce. The major players here are ginger, minced garlic, and savory tomato, with other notes of pineapple, lime, and spicy Thai chilis. This, to me, is like the stir fry version of ginger salad dressing, but more complex and punchy (and too salty to really be used as a salad dressing.) I took this one home to try with a cilantro-lime rice bowl (it was delicious, thank you for asking), but I think this would really wow as a grilled chicken marinade, too. If you’re looking for something punchy and unique, this is some of the best chicken stir fry sauce. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Chinese Stir Fry Sauce

Sun Luck Cantonese Style Stir Fry Sauce

Amazon

Ralphs

This wine-based stir fry sauce has a thick, slow consistency, a dry, tangy sweetness from the sherry wine, and a boldly salty finish. A dry sherry is typically the closest substitute for Shoaxing wine, also known as Chinese cooking wine, to mimic the briny, nuttier flavor. While you can find the real thing at Asian specialty grocers, Sun Luck is the best Chinese stir fry sauce​ we’ve tried from more widely available stores. And by the way—it’s gluten free. —Ariana Losch 

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Garlic

Best of Thailand Stir Fry Sauce

Amazon

Garlic is the first main ingredient listed after the usual suspects (soy sauce, water, sugar, and glucose syrup), so it makes sense that garlic is the dominant flavor in this stir fry sauce. It’s on the thin side, with a less viscous texture than the other sauces, but that doesn’t stop it from achieving a wonderful flavor. It’s got a subtle hint of ginger, and even some mushroom powder in there to up the umami factor. This is the most aromatic of the stir fry sauces we tried, so it’s certainly the best stiry fry sauce if you like a stir fry with a bold, pungent flavor (who doesn’t?). This will do great with any soy sauce-based Thai stir fry—think pad see ew with chinese broccoli or tofu, or pad kra pao with a fried egg. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

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Best Simple

House of Tsang Stir Fry Classic Sauce

Amazon

Instacart

This classic stir fry sauce provides a consistently sweet and savory flavor that is most likely what you’re looking for in a stir fry sauce. House of Tsang Classic Stir Fry Sauce is very thick and very salty. It’s rich and aromatic, and would work well with just about any type of stir fry, although I think the meaty flavor could really help elevate a vegetable stir fry from understated to absolutely delicious. Some of the best stir fry sauce is sweet; I don’t know why it’s often considered “inauthentic.” —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Spicy

House of Tsang Szechuan Spicy Sauce

Walmart

Amazon

Yo, this stir fry sauce is actually spicy. I love heat, and I think the spice in this bottle is surprisingly bold. Like most of the best stir fry sauces on this list, there’s a nice, robust flavor here. It’s more than just spicy—it’s also tangy, salty, and has a strong meaty flavor from the soy sauce. This is the best stir fry sauce to buy if you can take the heat. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Sweet

House of Tsang General Tso Sauce

Walmart

This General Tso’s stir fry sauce is really sweet, really savory, and a bit fruity, with a nice bit of spice on the finish that deepens the overall flavor profile. You get four excellent flavors all at once. Maybe it’s not “authentic,” but a sweet and syrupy General Tso’s chicken is low-key one of the best fried chicken dishes you can get in North America, and it should get more respect from food writers and chefs. If you’re a fan of sweet, but also slightly tangy and savory sauces, you’ll love this stir fry sauce. Just don’t cook it too long—it’s sure to turn to toffee in the pan. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best of The Best

Passage to Asia Thai Basil & Sweet Chili Sauce

Walmart

Amazon

The flavor here is just so robust. Passage of Asia is spicy, sweet, fragrant, pungent, salty, and deliciously savory. The fifth ingredient listed is fish sauce (ingredients are listed in order of quantity, from the highest to lowest), which gives this sweet chili sauce a delightfully fishy, umami-forward taste. This would be great in a variety of Thai-style stir fries, like pad kra pao or pad see ew. The basil and chilis come through super well. This is everything that’s great about Southeastern Asian cooking—funky, flavorful, and complex. It’s not a traditionally sweet and savory Chinese stir fry sauce, but it’s still the best store bought stir fry sauce I’ve tried to date. Don’t miss out.  —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Panda Express Kung Pao Stir Fry Sauce, Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce, Kikkoman Orange Sauce, Aplenty Chinese Szechuan Stir Fry Sauce, House of Tsang Sweet and Sour Sauce, La Choy Sweet and Sour, Minor’s Teriyaki Sauce, Sprouts Organic Stir Fry Sauce, G Hughes General Tso Sugar Free Stir Fry Sauce

The post The Best Stir Fry Sauce That Really Sizzles appeared first on Sporked.

What is sambal oelek?

Sambal oelek is a traditional Indonesian hot sauce. “Sambal” means chili sauce. In Indonesia, it’s typically just made with red chili peppers (often Thai chili peppers, but you can also use fresno chili peppers or even red jalapenos) crushed up in a mortar and pestle (aka “ulek”). Here in the U.S., the sauce is a bit more complex, with added salt and vinegar. 

What do I put sambal oelek on?

Sambal oelek is an extremely versatile chili paste that can be used on everything from grilled meats, to noodle dishes, to steamed vegetables (c’mon, you know you’re always looking for a way to jazz those up!). It’s also often used as a base for other sauces or condiments. Try mixing it with other condiments like mayo! 

Is sambal oelek gluten free?

Yes, sambal oelek can be gluten free, just be sure to check the label before purchasing! Always a good move when you’re gluten intolerant (that stuff can weasel its way into anywhere…I swear I tasted some gluten in my tap water the other day).

Does sambal oelek go bad?

One reason to purchase a jar of sambal oelek is its longevity. A bottle of sambal oelek can last at room temperature for about a year—up to 18 months if stored properly. At that rate, you’ll only need to buy a jar every couple years, which gives you lots of bang for your buck. 

Does sambal oelek need to be refrigerated?

Unopened, you can keep sambal oelek at room temperature. However, once it has been exposed to air, sambal oelek should be refrigerated for maximum freshness. 

Sambal oelek is a pantry/fridge staple. I shudder to think of how uncouth one might feel when their party grinds to a screeching halt after someone asks, “Where’s the sambal oelek?” and you have none to offer. Boy, would your face be red…when it should be red for a totally different reason!

The post What Is Sambal Oelek? appeared first on Sporked.

Blue cheese dressing is big with the Sporked team. Can you blame us? We love flavor. Obviously, we love it for wings and salads and wraps. But have you considered…blue cheese as a sauce for steak? Or a burger? Or roasted Brussels sprouts? A dip for your charcuterie board? To be honest, there isn’t much we wouldn’t at least consider putting the best blue cheese dressing on. We’re obsessed with the stuff. 

For this taste test, we were looking for blue cheese dressing with the perfect blend of creamy richness and sharp blue cheese tang, without any artificial aftertaste. A top-tier blue cheese dressing should have bits of real blue cheese for added texture, a balanced level of salt, and that unmistakable, crave-worthy funkiness that doesn’t overwhelm. Sadly, some store-bought options come with a strange chemical tang that gives blue cheese a bad name. If you think you’re not a fan, grab one of the best store bought blue cheese dressings below and give it a fair shot—you might just find your new obsession!

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Dairy Free

Follow Your Heart Vegan Bleu Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Pavilions

This doesn’t really taste like blue cheese dressing, but I don’t care because it tastes delicious! Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing is definitely the best vegan blue cheese dressing we tried. It’s honestly the only acceptable store bought vegan blue cheese dressing out there. It’s super garlicky, herby, and creamy. If I didn’t eat dairy, I would be more than pleased to douse a salad in this dressing. To be honest, I didn’t even realize vegan blue cheese was a thing. Follow Your Heart made it a thing—and a very good thing at that. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Budget

Happy Belly Blue Cheese Dressing

Amazon

Sometimes, Amazon’s Happy Belly products just check all the right boxes, for the right price. (In this case, $1.43 a bottle.) Too many pricier products underperformed on flavor, but this blue cheese dressing delivers a strong, tangy blue cheese bite that doesn’t dissipate into the ether as you chew, with noticeable blue cheese bits to keep things interesting. Don’t bother with the fancy stuff. If you want the best blue cheese dressing to keep pizza-and-wing nights cheap, Happy Belly’s got your back. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Smooth

Kraft Roka Blue Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Instacart

No, I don’t know what the “Roka” means in Kraft’s “Roka” Blue Cheese Dressing. I suspect it’s a shorthand for Roquefort, a type of blue cheese made from sheep’s milk. (But I can’t find confirmation of that on the label, so who knows!) At the very least, I can tell you what it tastes like: a smooth, brightly tangy dressing that may be sparse in the way of blue cheese bits, but definitely packs a strong flavor. If you’re looking for a thinner, creamier dressing with a noticeable vinegar kick for your salads, this is one of the best blue cheese dressings you can buy. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Shelf Stable

Ken’s Steak House Chef’s Reserve Blue Cheese with Gorgonzola Dressing

Walmart

If you’re looking for a tangier, funkier blue cheese, this is your blue cheese! It’s made with gorgonzola, so you get that real gorgonzola funk. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I also love that it’s super affordable and it’s shelf stable until you open it. This is also the only Ken’s blue cheese dressing I’d recommend. Blue cheese dressing is not their thing, but this version is the exception. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best for Crudités

Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Walmart

Instacart

Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip is the best blue cheese dressing we tried if you’re looking for something to put on a crudité platter. It’s definitely the best blue cheese dressing for dipping veggies because it’s thick and mild. Yes, I know it’s traditional to have ranch dressing on a crudité platter, but I don’t care! By adding blue cheese dressing, it’s like a crudité platter and a cheese board had a baby. Doesn’t that sound nice? —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Pavilions

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Kraft

Kraft Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Instacart

Kraft really surprised me in this ranking. They may not make the absolute best blue cheese dressings we’ve ever tried, but both versions (Roka and Chunky) still had me eating them straight off the spoon like a psych ward escapee. Few brands won’t actually deliver a lingering, bold, funky blue cheese flavor—like they’re too afraid it will offend my taste buds. Offend my taste buds, damn it! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Unique

Briannas Home Style Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing

Instacart

Sprouts

If you want a blue cheese dressing that isn’t blue cheese dressing, try Briannas. It’s more of a blue cheese vinaigrette than a blue cheese dressing. It’s light and tangy and even has a little sweetness. I don’t know if it’s just the packaging, but this comes off as fancy. I feel like this bottle of dressing is absolutely begging to be drizzled over a fall harvest salad with candied nuts, kale, and pomegranate seeds. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for a Lunch Salad

Whole Foods 365 Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Whole Foods

Amazon

Whole Foods 365 Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip is the perfect version of a mild blue cheese dressing. It’s not too thick. It’s not too thin. It’s flavorful without being intense. I would call this “the people’s blue cheese.” This is the best blue cheese dressing for anyone who wants a salad that isn’t a big, decadent, bacon-covered wedge. Use this dressing to top a light, delicious lunch salad and then go on with your day. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Whole Foods

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best for Wings

Marzetti Signature Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Instacart

Target

Marzetti is a cult favorite when it comes to salad dressing. People really ride hard for this brand. We get it. It’s one of the best blue cheese dressing brands we tried (and their ranch dressing kind of slaps, too). This dressing is very mild and would be a huge crowd-pleaser with people who are on the fence about blue cheese dressing. My favorite aspect of this dressing is that it’s extremely thick. Because of that, I’m calling this the best blue cheese dressing for wings. This would cling to a wing like nobody’s business. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best for a Wedge

Toby’s Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Instacart

Amazon

Toby’s is a family-owned company cranking out some of the best blue cheese dressing on the market. To me, it’s almost like ranch dressing meets blue cheese (and I mean that as a compliment). It’s chunky and funky like blue cheese, but super herby like ranch. And if you’re looking for chunks, this blue cheese dressing has ‘em. I was shocked by how many bottles of blue cheese dressing were completely chunkless. Not Toby’s! While it would be good on anything, I want to put this blue cheese dressing on a wedge. I don’t know who Toby is, but I know that I love them. If you like texture, this is the best chunky blue cheese dressing you can buy. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Bob’s Famous Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing & Dip

Walmart

Amazon

Kroger

I go to Bob’s Big Boy with my dad regularly for a very early morning breakfast. Because I’m normally there at 6 a.m., I had never had their blue cheese dressing. Luckily, they package it and sell it at the grocery store. And, (big) boy, am I glad they do! This is the best blue cheese dressing out there. It is so rich and creamy and thick. It has both big and small chunks of blue cheese and huge pieces of freshly cracked peppercorns. As flavorful as it is, it’s still mild enough to not overwhelm wings or a salad. Plus, the packaging is so dang cute! I took this home and have been on a huge blue cheese dressing kick ever since this taste test. This is for sure the best blue cheese dressing you can buy at the grocery store. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Trader Joe’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip, Wishbone Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Ken’s Steak House Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Bolthouse Farms Chunky Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing & Dip, Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese, Litehouse Original Blue Cheese, Cindy’s Blue Cheese, Walden Farms Blue Cheese Salad Dressing, Daiya Blue Cheeze Dressing, Tuscan Garden Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Great Value Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip, Hellmann’s Salad Dressing Salad Bar Bottle Blue Cheese

The post The Best Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranked Funky to Fresh appeared first on Sporked.

We’re so lucky to have gravy. It’s like salty meat you can drink. Seriously, don’t park the gravy boat next to us at a big family dinner or you’re liable to find a suspicious lipstick stain on the rim. George Costanza once said he would drape himself in velvet if it were socially acceptable—well, that’s how we feel about gravy.

Here’s what we learned after tasting 26 different gravy mixes and premade gravies: If you’re going with store bought gravy rather than making gravy from scratch, a gravy packet is probably your best bet, although in our most recent taste test we found what we currently believe is the best gravy of them all, and it comes premade in a refrigerated plastic tub. AND it’s gluten free. Who woulda thunk? Read on to learn which gravy mixes and which brands of premade gravy you should be picking up if you’re looking for the best store bought gravy at the grocery store, whether you want the best store bought turkey gravy, the best country gravy mix, or the best chicken gravy mix to drink straight from the boat.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Gravy for Mashed Potatoes

McCormick Turkey Gravy Mix

Walmart

Amazon

This wasn’t the best store bought turkey gravy, but I can’t deny that it has all the appeal of hot meat juice all the same. If you want something a little more neutral to accompany a big bowl of instant mashed potatoes, something with less roasted turkey flavor, this packet hits the spot. If you’re making mashers from scratch, all that butter and cream you’re adding (please tell me you add lots of butter and cream to your mashed potatoes) can still shine through this mild gravy. It’s not the best store bought gravy we tried, but a totally solid option to have on hand in the pantry. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Gravy for Meatloaf

Knorr Classic Brown Gravy Mix

Instacart

Amazon

We’ve all choked down dry meatloaf. I know plenty of people are content to moisten it with ketchup (no shame!), but if you’re serving meatloaf, I really think you should consider having some gravy on the table. Knorr’s Classic Brown gravy is the best brown gravy mix for meatloaf night. It lacks a little in the beefy-flavor department, but it would really complement a mound of ground chuck. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Premade Chicken Gravy

McCormick Chicken Gravy

Instacart

While we weren’t enamored with any of the canned gravy brands we tasted, this ready-to-pour, shelf-stable box of chicken gravy really wowed us. It tastes like thickened chicken broth, which is what chicken gravy should taste like. It would be great over potatoes, but where it truly shines is as a shortcut for making pot pie. Buy a box or two of this chicken gravy before the holidays and you’ll be ready to turn leftover turkey into an incredible pot pie with very little effort. It’s the best premade chicken gravy out there, no cooking required. —Justine Sterling  

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Chicken (Runner-Up)

McCormick Chicken Gravy Mix

Target

Amazon

McCormick’s chicken gravy mix didn’t quite live up to the best chicken gravy mix (see #3), but it’s delicious: salty and umami and with all the chicken flavor that was missing from its canned and jarred counterparts. This tastes like straight-up chicken bouillon, but with a wonderful silky texture. It doesn’t have the “roasty” quality that the best chicken gravy mix has, but it would be great with a bunch of freshly cracked pepper, poured over a gorgeous roast chicken thigh. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Brown Gravy

McCormick Brown Gravy Mix

Target

Amazon

Brown gravy is kind of funny, if a gravy can be funny. It’s kind of like when you ask a kid what flavor candy they want and they say “red.” Brown isn’t a meat and it isn’t a flavor, but “brown” also manages to perfectly encapsulate the rich taste of this gravy, used largely for things like meatloaves and roasts. McCormick was the best brown gravy mix we tasted. It’s thick and beefy. If you like the packet of seasoning that comes with beef instant ramen, you’ll love this gravy powder. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Sausage Gravy

Southeastern Mills Sausage Flavored Peppered Gravy Mix

Walmart

We tried a couple of brands of country gravy mix in our second taste test and this white gravy mix from Southeastern Mills was by far the best. This peppered gravy mix turns into the creamiest, most peppery, just plain yummy country gravy. There’s even hints of sage. Gimme this white gravy on a biscuit with some grits, ASAP. It practically tastes like a bisque and, yes, I did enjoy a few spoonfuls well after I was finished with the taste test. —Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Vegetarian Gravy

McCormick Peppered Country Gravy

Instacart

This vegetarian gravy mix took the top spot in our ranking of the best vegetarian gravy you can buy. As Jordan Myrick put it in their review, “This white gravy is actually perfect. I do not have a single note. It’s thick and rich and creamy.” And it’s also very, very peppery—which is important for a country gravy mix. Pour this vegetarian gravy on anything from biscuits to vegan breakfast sausage to vegan turkey and everything in between. —Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Gravy for Bland Food

Pioneer Roasted Chicken Gravy

Instacart

This. Gravy. Tastes. Like. Roast. Chicken. Skin. Incredible. And it’s so silky, which is truly impressive when you remember it started as a gravy powder. It’s extremely salty and savory in the best way—you do not need to pour a ton of it onto something in order to reap its flavor benefits. Keep it in your pantry to whip out whenever one of your culinary experiments ends up tasting bland. This gravy mix will come to the rescue. —Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Chicken

Knorr Roasted Chicken Gravy Mix

Instacart

Amazon

This Roasted Chicken gravy powder is delicious. I tasted this gravy mix alongside Campbell’s canned chicken gravy as well as Heinz’s jarred gravy and it’s really stunning how much more chicken flavor this gravy mix has. I think you can zhuzh this up with some herbs, but it already has chicken fat in the ingredients list. If you’re looking for something you can whip up quickly to moisten a batch of instant mashed potatoes (surprise! I love powdered potatoes too) on a weeknight, this is the best gravy packet for the job. As I said during our taste test, I would buy this on a regular basis. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Knorr Roasted Turkey Gravy Mix

Instacart

Amazon

The first time we tried this Knorr gravy mix, I was obsessed. It didn’t just taste like turkey, it tasted like roasted turkey, with a deep, rich, slow-cooked meat flavor. But things happen. When I tried this gravy mix again in our third gravy taste test, it just wasn’t quite as good as I remembered it being. Still good, but not the best gravy anymore (though it is the best gravy mix). This Knorr gravy packet is an excellent blank slate (and you won’t need to add salt; woof, there’s plenty of that). Toss in a bundle thyme and rosemary if you like an herbaceous gravy; add some pan drippings if you want a fatty pop. Or if you want something a little more like homemade, see our new #1 best gravy.  —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Turkey Gravy

Affiliate

Trader Joe’s turkey gravy is new—and it’s good. You’ll find it in the refrigerated section, right near the soups. When you crack open the plastic tub, it doesn’t look good. Like, at all. It’s very gloopy and lumpy—but you know what the gloop and lumps are?? Turkey fat, baby. And that’s all flavor. When I tasted this alongside gravy made from packets, this stood out because it’s not a total salt bomb. I mean, I’m sure it has its fair share of sodium, but it’s not just a hot, salty wet to drizzle over food—it’s going to complement the flavor of turkey in a way that lets you actually taste turkey. What a concept! This is the best store bought gravy because it really seems like gravy someone made in a kitchen. It’s also the best store bought gravy because more people can enjoy it since it’s gluten free gravy! Sadly, this is a Trader Joe’s product, so who knows if it will stick around, but we sure hope it does. Give it a shot this Thanksgiving. —Gwynedd Stuart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other instant gravies we tried: Campbell’s Chicken Gravy, McCormick Chicken Gravy Mix, Heinz Homestyle Chicken Gravy, Heinz Roasted Turkey Gravy, Campbell’s Turkey Gravy, Primal Kitchen Classic Gravy, Campbell’s Beef Gravy, Southeastern Mills Country Gravy Mix, McCormick Turkey Gravy, Pioneer Country Gravy Mix, Pioneer Gluten Free Country Gravy Mix, Pioneer Country Sausage Gravy, McCormick Gluten Free Turkey Gravy, Better Than Bouillon Turkey Gravy

The post Best Store Bought Gravy to Moisten Your Meat (and Whatever Else) appeared first on Sporked.

The first thing you’ll notice about this new Trader Joe’s pasta sauce is that it comes in a salsa jar rather than the usual pasta sauce jar. My initial suspicion was that someone in supply chain management ordered too many salsa jars and they had to use them for something—why not pasta sauce? But after reading the intended uses cases for the Thick, Bold & Spicy Red Sauce—on pasta, layered in a lasagna, and for dipping bread—it seems that they really wanted to lean into its versatility, so they put it in a wide, shallow jar you can dip straight into. I appreciate the thought, but is it worthy of your breadsticks?

The first word that came to mind when I took a whiff of this red sauce was “muted.” In terms of aroma, it reminded me more of the red sauce you were served in the school cafeteria than red sauces that was simmered on a stove all day long. But there must have been some simmering involved, because the sauce is cooked down to a thickness that clings to a spoon instead of just coating it. Trader Joe’s Thick, Bold & Spicy Red sauce is certainly thick. And I suppose I have to admit that it’s also “bold” and “spicy”—I just don’t think it’s in the way they had hoped for.

New Product!

Trader Joe’s Thick, Bold & Spicy Red Sauce

Trader Joe’s

Pros: I haven’t tried Trader Joe’s Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce, but Sporked EIC Justine Sterling really disliked it when she taste tested every Trader Joe’s pasta sauce. Based on her description of that sauce, I am confident Trader Joe’s Thick, Bold & Spicy Red Sauce is better. Plus, TJ’s nailed the thickness of this sauce. It’s heavy enough to thoroughly coat pretty much any pasta shape and it’s going to cling very nicely to a crust of bread.

Cons: There’s just too much heat here. It’s not quite enough to make you cower in fear, but it made me want something, anything, to balance out the intensity. I couldn’t see myself dipping anything straight into this because of all that spice. Bread should be able to do the trick, but I think you need something like dairy to really neutralize the spice. I’d lean toward using this in lasagna, where it will be teamed up with layers of ricotta and mozzarella cheese. And while it was certainly bold to make a sauce this spicy, they didn’t really nail a bold tomato flavor—the spice shouldn’t overpower the richness and umami of the tomatoes. Because it lacks balance, I think even heat freaks will struggle to appreciate this sauce.

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

The post We Tried Trader Joe’s Thick, Bold & Spicy Red Sauce appeared first on Sporked.

Luckily, everyone on the team here at Sporked seemed to agree on what constitutes the best store bought guacamole. We want our guacamole to taste like fresh avocado. It should be earthy, buttery, and deliciously ripe. We also want a lot of flavor, whether it’s from onions, garlic, or lime juice—or even a little bit of heat from chili peppers (our number one guacamole also happens to be the best spicy guacamole we tasted). That flavor has to be balanced, too. It shouldn’t upstage the mighty avocado. The guacamole also has to be well salted. Blandness is a sin. Ideally, we want our guacamole to be chunky, especially if it calls itself chunky. And last but certainly not least, the best guacamole (store bought or not) should be creamy. It shouldn’t be runny (you’d be surprised what some companies try to pass off as guac). Pull up a chair, grab some tortilla chips, and read the Sporked scoop on the best store bought guacamole.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Flavored

Park Street Deli Pineapple Poblano Restaurant-Style Guacamole

Instacart

Okay, I will admit that this pineapple-poblano guacamole from Aldi is a little bit weird, but it’s also tasty enough to earn a spot on this list. See, one of the worst things about store bought guacamole is that so many taste so similar, and not in a good way. If you eat a lot of grocery store bought guac (or you happen to be a professional food taste tester who is sampling a dozen very mediocre guacs in a row), this guac is a welcome departure from the norm. It has a very tart, pineapple-forward flavor that somehow still meshes well with the avocado base. It’s a little sweet but still very savory. You can taste the poblanos and they contribute a little heat. My colleague Jordan Myrick said this would be really good on fish tacos and I love that idea. I also love that this guacamole promises pineapple and poblano and really delivers—it gets high marks for that alone! It’s the best guacamole if you’re an adventurous guacamole consumer. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Secret Ingredient

Homeboy Authentic Guacamole

Instacart

We love the unique flavor that tomatillos contribute to this guacamole; they add a tangy, sweet, citrusy flavor that is refreshing and bright. It’s the best guac if you’ve been craving something other than the bland, out-of-season red tomatoes you often find in store bought guacamole, which can often be tart and sour. Tomatillos are a little more consistent. While Homeboy doesn’t have a ton of acidity up front, it hits enough on the finish to get by. The flavors are subtle, but that means the avocado shines brighter. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Medium Heat

Good & Gather Medium Heat Homestyle Guacamole

Target

I can’t say Target makes the absolute best store bought guacamole around, but with hunks of jalapeño, serrano peppers, tomatoes, and avocado, this Good & Gather spicy guacamole definitely hits the mark. Their mild version is nothing to write home about, but with this homestyle medium heat, you get an interesting blend of spicy aromatics and actual depth of flavor that masks that all–too-common citric acid aftertaste. The guac itself is creamy, but the ingredients are quite chunky; combined, it’s a nice texture balance. If you don’t feel like making homemade guacamole, this is perfectly suitable for a party! Trust me, I’m a stickler for store bought guac—and the first person to admit that most of it is, unfortunately, not that great. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Overall Flavor

Herdez Traditional Mild Guacamole

Walmart

Ralphs

We like a lot of Herdez products. (In fact, if you’re dubious of all store bought guacamole and want something avocado-y but different, try their avocado salsa.) And their line of guacs is good! The mild version was my favorite. It has a garlicky flavor with a subtle undercurrent of cilantro that’s super pleasant. When my husband makes guacamole, he always adds a lot of garlic, so this reminded me most of homemade (as in, made in my home, specifically). If you see this at the store, give it a shot! It’s the best guacamole we tried in terms of overall flavor. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Value

Kirkland Chunky Guacamole

Costco

As someone with a natural and completely justified aversion to over-processed store bought guac, I was initially skeptical of these single-serve guacamole containers that come to you in typical Costco bulk (16 mini guacs per box). I expected to taste salty green mush masquerading as guacamole. But holy guacamole, was I wrong. Kirkland’s guacamole is bright and fresh, infused with punchy lime and cilantro that keeps every bite flavorful. It’s a far cry from “chunky,” as advertised, but I don’t even care. The best guacamole I’ve ever had came from a farmer’s market in my college town, and I have to say, this is the closest a store bought guac has ever come to that. Someone pass me a bag of Chicas lime tortilla chips, please. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Costco

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Organic

Trader Joe’s Chunky Homestyle Guacamole

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s makes some of the best store bought guacamole, but this is the best of what they sell. It’s chunky (albeit, not as chunky as our #2). There’s a nice bit of heat and herbaceousness, too. It’s one of the few guacamoles we tasted that really leans into the flavor of cilantro. All in all, it’s creamy, consistent, and has a nice, sharp flavor. We also appreciate this guac for its rough chunks of avocado and appropriate amount of salt. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Chunky

We Love Guac Fresh Chunky Original

Instacart

A lot of the guacamole we tasted purported to be “chunky,” but this is the best chunky guacamole by far. It has a fresh flavor and it doesn’t have the odd citric acid tang that many other brands of guacamole have. And really, this is a chip breaker of a guac. As you dig in, you get big chunks of avocado. I broke several chips trying to consume this. If you want actual avocado in your guacamole and not just smooth avocado puree, this is the best guacamole you can buy. —Gwynedd Stuart 

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Good Foods Spicy Chunky Guacamole

Instacart

Good Foods Spicy Chunky Guacamole would have made this list simply for being the best spicy guacamole we tried, but it has so much else going for it that it landed in the top spot. The little bit of heat is almost like an added bonus. One thing that makes this the best guacamole: It doesn’t contain tomatoes! Tomatoes can get really bland and mushy when they hang out in a tub of guacamole in a grocery store refrigerator. If you insist on tomatoes in your guacamole, quarter some fresh grape tomatoes and mix them into this flavorful, fresh-tasting guacamole. It’ll be so much better than guacamoles that come pre-tomatoed! —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Other guacamole brands we tried: Freshness Guaranteed Chunky Guacamole, Marketside Homestyle Guac, Yucatan Guac, Good Foods Chunky, We Love Guac Original, Signature Cafe Traditional Guacamole, Wholly Guacamole Classic Mild Guacamole, Cabo Fresh Fiesta Squeeze Medium Guacamole, Yucatan Gluten Free Mild Guacamole, Good Foods Chunky Traditional Guacamole, Sabra Singles Classic Guacamole Minicups, Park Street Deli Fresh Guacamole, Dean’s Guacamole Flavored Dip, Hope Foods Green Chile Guacamole, Whole Foods Guacamole, Trader Joe’s Avogadro’s Number Guacamole, Trader Joe’s Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole, Hope Foods Spicy Green Chile Guacamole, Trader Joe’s Avocado’s Number Guacamole, Casa Sanchez Real Guacamole, Park St. Deli Restaurant Style Southwest Guac, Park St. Dli Sweet & Spicy, Yo Quiero Guacamole, Yo Quiero Spicy

The post Best Guacamole to Buy (Updated with Even More Guac!) appeared first on Sporked.

Lovers of Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce know that it left shelves just a few months ago, and with it went an easy way to throw spice and flavor into many Mexican dishes, enchiladas included (obviously). Thankfully, TJ’s didn’t leave shoppers hanging too long, because they quickly turned around and launched a new version! Is it worth grabbing or should you look elsewhere for your beautiful spicy red sauce instead?

When I cracked open a jar of the new Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce, the aroma instantly made me crave a Margarita, so that’s a good start. I dunked a spoon into the sauce, and it’s about the same consistency as tomato soup. It’s a little watery for my enchilada sauce tastes, but it’s sure to thicken when it gets all nice and bubbly in a casserole dish of enchiladas. I tasted it right off the spoon and it’s very tomatoey with a powerful hit of jalapeno-pepper heat—enough to make my Midwestern taste buds do a double-take. When that settles, you can taste a lot of smoky cumin, along with bits of garlic and onion. The only thing that keeps this from being a quintessential enchilada sauce? A chip warmer in my apartment.

New Product!

Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce

Trader Joe’s

Pros: In my opinion, this is everything an enchilada sauce should be and there’s a lot of it! You can use this all in one go or keep the jar in the fridge to give a zesty, Mexican-esque kick to a bunch of dishes. It’s big, bold, and spicy, and unabashedly so. Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce seems perfect to warm you up as summer gives way to chillier fall temps and you still need an excuse to put away some ice-cold Margaritas. I really couldn’t find a lot of flaws with this new Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce. I didn’t try it head to head with the previous version, but whatever they did to retool it seems to have worked.

Cons: Because I usually rely on restaurants to give me my enchilada fix, I am indeed a novice when it comes to making them at home. Naturally, I looked at the label on this jar of enchilada sauce hoping to find a recipe to go along with the sauce. You know, like the back-of-the-box recipes that are on everything you buy, from the banana bread recipe on Gold Medal Flour to the chocolate chip cookie recipe on a container of Crisco. Well, Trader Joe’s doesn’t actually have that on their enchilada sauce jar. In fact, they don’t even have anything beyond the nutrition facts and ingredients. No cutesy wording to sell me on the beauty of homemade enchiladas. You can find a plethora of recipes online to help you decide how to use Trader Joe’s enchilada sauce, but I would have loved to see them provide one so I know what else to grab at the store.

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

The post Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce Is New and Improved—but Does It Taste Good? appeared first on Sporked.

Depending on who you ask, hummus has either never been better or never been worse. The flavored hummus trend is getting out of control. There’s apple pie hummus, Thai coconut curry hummus, BBQ hummus, and a brownie batter dessert hummus. That said, some flavored hummus is really, really good, and, after a third round of taste testing hummus, we’ve included more of the best hummus flavors in this list. It shows the versatility of hummus. You can use hummus as the base for a meal—just scoop some into a bowl and top as you see fit—or you can use it as a spread or you can use it as a dip. It’s a deliciously creamy, earthy blank canvas for other flavors.

If you’re a hummus traditionalist, feel free to ignore the flavored hummus brands on this list. There are plenty of classic takes on the best hummus for you. But if you’re open to a little something exciting—beyond the standard dollop of tapenade or sprinkle of pine nuts—we’ve got a few tubs you need to try. 

Here’s what we look for in the best hummus (flavored or not): We want a smooth, creamy  texture. We want to be able to taste four key ingredients (chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon) even if it’s a flavored hummus (okay, maybe not when it comes to chocolate hummus). If the lemon tastes too much like citric acid, the hummus gets docked points. If the tahini doesn’t shine enough, docked points. If you put a picture of garlic on the package and it tastes nothing like garlic, docked points. Hummus is a delicate balance; it’s a marriage of great ingredients in one gorgeously simple spread. Is your mouth watering yet? Check out our list of the best store bought hummus.

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Best Sabra Hummus

Sabra Classic Hummus

Amazon

If you read the first couple iterations of our best hummus ranking, you may have noticed one glaring omission: Sabra, the most commonly seen grocery store hummus brand. Why? It simply doesn’t live up to the other hummus brands on this list. But, for this update, we decided to try all the Sabra hummus flavors we could find and determine the best Sabra hummus. Because, should your local grocery store only carry Sabra, you are still entitled to buy the best hummus. And the best Sabra is the classic version. It is creamy. It’s nutty and it doesn’t have too much of a citric acid tang. It’s lacking the tahini-forward nature of the truly best hummus, but it’ll totally do. If you insist on buying a Sabra hummus with mix-ins, opt for the olive tapenade. — Justine Sterling 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

5/10

Sporks

Best Chocolate Hummus

Boar’s Head Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus

Instacart

We tried a few brands of chocolate hummus but this is the only one we recommend. This dark chocolate hummus is creamy with a rich chocolate flavor that somehow actually works with the earthy chickpea flavor. It’s not too sweet, but it’s definitely still dessert hummus. It’s probably not going to be your new, go-to hummus, but if you’ve been curious about chocolate hummus, this is the best hummus brand to buy. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Ryan Martin / Instacart

Rating:

5/10

Sporks

Best Lunchbox Hummus

Kirkland Organic Hummus

Costco

This is the best hummus brand for the busy human or alien-inhabiting-a-human-body on the go. The flavor of this Costco hummus is admittedly tame, but maybe that’s your thing. Plus, you get a lot of little individual cups of Costco hummus for the price. A cup of Kirkland hummus would be a great lunch addition for any child or adult. Speaking of which, it blows my mind that kids now eat hummus for lunch. I grew up in Pennsylvania in the ‘90s. We ate frozen chicken patties slathered in mayonnaise, sheet tray pizza loaded with sugary tomato sauce, and strawberry milk. School lunch used to be lawless. But, hummus is healthy. We should all be eating hummus. Now excuse me while I Google “where to buy strawberry milk.” — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Costco

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best for a Bowl

Ithaca Lemon Beet

Instacart

If you love the earthy sweetness of beets, then this beet hummus is the best hummus to satisfy your flavored hummus fantasies. With that sweetness comes lemony zestiness, and that is really what takes this hummus from good to great. Plus, it’s a gorgeous hue of pink—straight out of a Lisa Frank paint palette. It feels like something you would get as an option at Cava or another Chipotle-esque Mediterranean spot. And I’d recommend using this beet hummus as such—scoop some into a bowl with grains and roasted veggies and other toppings. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Almost Homemade

Roots Original

Kroger

We want the best hummus to taste like chickpeas and Roots hummus definitely tastes like chickpeas. It’s a bit more rustic than some of the other store bought hummus brands on this list, and I love that. It has an earthy flavor and an earthy texture—more grainy, like it was freshly made in a food processor at home. It’s vibrant and vegetal—almost carrot-y? But the true charm is the texture. It’s not at all gummy like some hummus can become when it’s over processed. This is the best hummus for the texture freaks out there like me. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Kroger

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Spicy

Cedar’s Hot Honey Hommus

Instacart

Before you ask, yes, hummus and hommus are the same thing. It’s just a matter of spelling. And this hommus is shockingly good. You don’t even need to like hot honey to think that it’s some of the best spicy hummus on the market. It’s topped with a pile of chile flakes and laced with just enough honey to add depth and intrigue. You really can’t take just one bite; you need to have another just to figure out what the heck you just tasted. If you can’t handle heat, you can’t handle this. But if you can manage some red pepper flakes on your pizza, you can take this level of spice. It’s the best hummus brand for heat seekers.  — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Collab

Little Sesame Fly By Jing Pumpkin Chili Crisp

Little Sesame

Here’s the thing about this hummus collab, it doesn’t really taste like chili crisp. It lacks that super savory quality. But it does taste like pumpkin and it does have some heat. It’s very different from any other flavored hummus I’ve tried (and I’ve tried so very many of them). This pumpkin hummus is a very unique dip that no other brand is making. And it’s the best hummus for fall snacking. You get that earthy pumpkin flavor mixed into hummus without it being a stunt. No pumpkin spice hummus for me, please. I much prefer this pumpkin hummus with spice.  — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Little Sesame

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Restaurant Quality

Fresh n’ Nova Authentic Hummos

Amazon

Instacart

It’s creamy, it’s nutty, and it’s brightly acidic. This is exactly the type of hummus we expect when we sit down at a Lebanese restaurant. It’s got that beautiful hummus swirl, and there’s a hint of something oniony in there you’ll find attractive (although no onions are listed in the ingredients). Simply put, Fresh n’ Nova made our mouths water. And if you’re looking to make a Mediterranean mezze spread like the pros, it’s the best brand of hummus for the job. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Ryan Martin / Whole Foods

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Fresh Hummus

Ithaca Lemon Garlic Hummus

Amazon

Ithaca hummus is thick. This isn’t a droopy and watery spread like some other hummus brands. Like, careful you don’t lose your pita chips in this garbanzo bean quicksand. That’s what makes it the best store bought hummus for sandwiches—it won’t turn them into a wet mess. You can confidently spread this onto a sandwich and bring it to the beach or on a hike. Plus, Ithaca’s lemon and garlic hummus has an exceptionally lemony tang, garlicky bite, and nutty taste, with no citric acid in the mix. This tastes as fresh as store bought hummus can get and that makes it one of the best store bought hummus brands. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Jalapeno Hummus

Little Sesame Herby Jalapeno

Amazon

There’s a shocking amount of jalapeno hummus out there. And I tried a bunch for this, the most recent update of our best hummus ranking. And this one was the best of them all. It’s limey and savory and creamy and very, very herby with some good, grassy jalapeno flavor. It’s not spicy, really, but you can still taste fresh peppers. Keep in mind: You need to stir Little Sesame hummus before you eat it. It’s like fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt…but hummus. The herby, peppery paste is at the bottom of the container and you need to stir it up to get the full jalapeno hummus experience. — Justine Sterling 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Traditional

Cava Traditional Hummus

Amazon

Whole Foods

Cava hummus is creamy. You know a good whipped mashed potato with a ton of butter and milk? That gives you an idea what Cava hummus is like. The flavor is perfectly balanced. You taste the nutty earthiness of the tahini, the tanginess from the lemon, and a subtle hint of garlic near the end. Also, this is one of the only brands of hummus where you can actually taste the chickpeas. This is way up there on our list of the best hummus brands. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Garlic Hummus

Whole Foods 365 Roasted Garlic Hummus

Amazon

Whole Foods

This was the number one best hummus after our initial taste test. And, though it’s been knocked down a couple of pegs, it’s still some of the best hummus to buy and it’s definitely the best roasted garlic hummus. The flavor is superb. The roasted garlic in the mix has a deep garlicky flavor with none of the pungency of the raw stuff. The hummus itself is thick, not watery, and it’s got a nice balance of sesame flavor and lemon to boot. Really great stuff here. Roasted garlic should be in way more things. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Lemony Hummus

Little Sesame Classic Hummus

Amazon

If you can’t tell, Little Sesame hummus is my new favorite hummus brand. It’s all so extremely creamy and it all has an underlying preserved lemoniness. It works best in the original flavor. The original is actually so lemony in that funky, preserved lemon way that I had to triple check the label to make sure it wasn’t the preserved lemon flavor, which also exists but isn’t quite as good (it’s a little sweet). This hummus would be so good on a sandwich. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Holy Hummus Traditional Classic Hummus

Instacart

This extremely creamy hummus has an unbelievably good tahini-forward flavor that is unlike any other store bought brand of hummus we’ve ever tasted. And the texture is irresistible—super smooth without being gummy. You know when you see concrete being poured and you think, wow, that looks so good? Like that, but then it actually does taste good and not at all like pureed rocks. If you’ve been eating those big hummus brands your whole life and have never experienced real hummus, give this brand a try. It’s the best hummus from the grocery store. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Other hummus brands we tried: Trader Joe’s Three Layer Hummus, Haig’s Original, Haig’s Garlic, Park Street Deli Significantly Spicy Hummus, Marketside Pine Nut Hummus, Simple Truth Organic Hummus, Boar’s Head Hummus, Sadaf Traditional Hummus, Organics Hummus, Signature Cafe Hummus Original, Trader Joe’s Organic Hummus, Mediterranean Style Hummus, Holy Hummus Homestyle Hummus with Olive Oil, Sadaf Traditional Hummus, Hafla Hummus Classic, Little Sesame Mexican Street Corn, Little Sesame Caramelized Onion, Little Sesame Preserved Lemon, Sabra Roasted Pine Nut, Sabra Roasted Garlic, Sabra Spinach & Artichoke, Sabra Supremely Spicy, 365 Lemon Hummus, Ithaca French Onion, Fresh Cravings Tajin Chili Lime, Sadaf Jalapeno & Cilantro, 365 Jalapeno Hummus, Simple Truth Organic Spicy Jalapeno, Fresh Cravings Jalapeno Cilantro, Ithaca Jalapeno Lime, Sabra Olive Tapenade, Sabra Barbecue Hummus 

The post Best Hummus to Buy (Updated with New Hummus Flavors!) appeared first on Sporked.

What is malt vinegar?

Malt vinegar falls under the general vinegar category, the same way that rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and red wine vinegar do. You’ll notice a trend here in the naming convention; the first word in each of these vinegars tells you what was used to make the vinegar. 

So, what the heck is malt? The term refers to any type of grain that has been harvested and allowed to germinate, or become malted. The most common malted grain is barley, but there are also malted forms of rye, wheat, oats, rice, and corn. Allowing the grain to germinate converts some of the starches in the seed into sugars. The foods and drinks that are made from malted grains tend to be sweeter as a result.

Malt is used to make a variety of products: beer and spirits, bread, cereals, candy, and even milkshakes and other sweet drinks. And then, of course, there’s malt vinegar. 

How is malt vinegar made?

All vinegars are made from different forms of alcohol. After the base ingredient (rice, apple, barley, etc.) is fermented into alcohol with the introduction of yeast, it is fermented again by introducing acetic acid bacteria. The resulting concoction is acetic acid which, when combined with water, creates vinegar.

The whole process of making malt vinegar starts with the barley. Grains are harvested, dried, and stored until they are ready for a process called “wetting.” Gross name, important process. The barley seeds are steeped in water, reactivating their growth. Over the course of a few days, the seeds begin to sprout—germination, hooray! Once the grains have reached the desired age, they are dried again in a kiln.

The malting process now complete, the grains can be mashed up with yeast, hops, and water to create the ale, which ultimately becomes the vinegar.

What does malt vinegar taste like?

The thought of using vinegar as a condiment might seem ridiculous—but only if you’ve never tasted malt vinegar. While white vinegar or apple cider vinegar feels like thousands of tiny knives stabbing your esophagus, malt vinegar has a much sweeter, nutty composition that can be robust and rather intense. This is because the source ingredients used to make malt vinegar are far less acidic by comparison. 

Important note: While it is “sweeter,” that doesn’t mean it isn’t acidic. There’s just more complexity to malt vinegar’s flavor than just acid.

What is malt vinegar used for?

Because it is much sweeter, malt vinegar is one of the few vinegar types that is used more as a condiment than an ingredient. The UK popularized malt vinegar in their chippies—fish and chip restaurants that can be found almost everywhere. It’s popular, almost required, to drizzle malt vinegar on your chips—that is, for us Americans, your french fries. 

Malt vinegar can also be a fine addition for your chips—that’s “crisps” for you Brits. The salt and vinegar chip/crisp reigns supreme, and dashing some malt vinegar on some regular flavored chips will bump them up a notch. 

Is malt vinegar gluten free?

Malt vinegar probably is the least gluten-free vinegar out there. Remember, it’s made from grains. Sorry to all of you who have to avoid it.

Does malt vinegar go bad?

Like all vinegars, malt vinegar can ostensibly last forever if stored properly. It might only lose its potency and flavor over extended periods of time.

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