Sriracha Sauce is named for central Thailand’s coastal city of Si Racha, and modeled after the kicking chili paste condiment that is ubiquitous at local seafood restaurants. In the realm of hot sauce – Sriracha is Hot. Restaurants, professional kitchens, family tables... It’s turning up all over the culinary landscape, imparting heat, tang and boldness.

After years of experimenting with chili crops and identifying the other critical components to craft a compelling Sriracha (namely garlic), we created our very own version. Trader Joe’s Sriracha Sauce delivers the expected fire and flair, without the funky ingredients that load up other cock-sure versions in the marketplace. Made in California, it starts with sun-ripened chilies that are picked at the peak of flavor, ground with fresh garlic and then rounded out with salt, vinegar and sugar.

Trader Joe’s Sriracha is feisty. Red. (Read: rooooaaarin Hot!) But it is also deliciously garlicky, tart, a touch sweet and salty. Full of dynamic character, it promises expansive culinary possibilities: noodles, fried rice, scrambled eggs, soup, pizza, sushi, bool kogi tacos, fruit salad, barbecued shrimp, deviled eggs, pulled pork, popcorn...

We really worked hard to get the right flavor and panache, but also to get the right price. We’re selling an 18.25 ounce bottle of Trader Joe’s Sriracha Sauce for $2.99 – as hot as the sauce.