New Jersey farmers markets and street fairs are one of the best places to find hot sauce you won't see on a grocery shelf. The makers are standing behind the table, the bottles are often made close to home, and you can taste before you buy. Here's how to get the most out of it.
Taste before you buy, and taste smart
Most makers have samples out, so use them.
- Start mild and work up. Heat builds, and a hot sample first will hide the flavor of everything after it.
- Bring food to the booth. A sauce can taste sharp on its own and great on real food. We encourage people to bring food back when we're at a food truck festival. Use us at a little condiment bar and have some fun tasting.
- Wait a few seconds. Some sauces lead with flavor and finish with heat, so give it a moment before you decide.
Ask the maker questions
You're talking to the person who made it, so take advantage. Some questions we've heard:
- What peppers are in it and where do they come from?
- Is it made in small batches?
- Which one do you use at home?
- What do you put it on that I wouldn't think of?
Read the label, and treat heat ratings as a guide
A short ingredient list is usually a good sign: peppers, vinegar, and things you recognize. Heat ratings are less standardized. Every maker uses a different scale and even within one brand, batches can vary because peppers vary with the weather, the harvest and the supplier. If you're familiar with our sauces, you already know our heat scale is a little different. If you're between two sauces, ask the maker how they rate their own heat.
Pick the right heat level
- Mild sauces put flavor first, with just a little warmth. Our Devil's Delight and BBQ Garlic are here.
- Medium sauces have a noticeable kick balanced by fruit or spice. Our Peach Mango Habanero and Scorpion Sting are examples.
- Hot sauces are for people who already know they like heat. Ask for a small sample first.
Buying a gift? Go one step milder than you think. It's easier to add heat later than to take it away. And definitely ask the maker what their most popular sauce is. When customers are looking for a gift, I have two go-to sauces that I recommend.
Think beyond wings
Hot sauce works on roasted vegetables, eggs, tacos, pizza and sandwiches. Ask the maker for pairing ideas, since they've usually tried everything. Our Wicked, for example, is great on raw clams/oysters, steak, bloody Mary's...
Fruity sauces are great in cocktails. Peach Mango Habanero and Cocoa Chaos go great in a cocktail! At one festival, we sent customers to the bar for a strawberry margarita and had them bring it back so we could add a splash of our seasonal Strawberry Pineapple. It worked so well that we kept doing it. Try a few drops in a margarita at home. Start small, since fruit sauces still carry real heat.
Where to find us
We're at farmers markets across Monmouth County and central New Jersey all season.
| Market | Day | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Market | Wednesdays | 6–9 pm | June–September |
| Sayreville Farmers Market | Thursdays | 12–5 pm | May–November |
| Atlantic Highlands Farmers Market | Fridays | 10 am–3 pm | June–September |
| Fair Haven Farmers Market | Second Saturday of the month | 9 am–12 pm | May–November |
| Belmar Farmers Market | Sundays | 9 am–1 pm | May–October |
We also vend at most of Laurita Winery's food truck festivals, plus street fairs and food truck events around the state. Check our Upcoming Events page for what's coming up, and confirm with each market before you go, since schedules can shift with weather and market rules. For the most up to date info on our events, follow our Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/butchshotstuffhotsauce
Quick FAQ
Are farmers market hot sauces better than store-bought? Not always, but small-batch makers often use fresher ingredients and more distinctive flavors than mass-produced brands.
How should I store hot sauce after opening it? Follow the label. Many vinegar-based sauces keep well in the fridge, but ask the maker if you're unsure.
What if it's too hot? Try dairy, something starchy like bread or rice, or a sugary drink. Skip the water, which just spreads the heat around.
Why does the same sauce taste hotter some times than others? Peppers vary from season to season and batch to batch, so heat can shift a little. That's normal for small-batch sauces.
Can I use hot sauce in cocktails? Abso-freaking-lutely! Fruit-forward sauces like Peach Mango Habanero work well in margaritas. Start with a few drops and adjust.