Was the Cholula Garlic Hot Sauce Recipe Changed?

As if things weren’t bad enough in our post-pandemic era, we mild spice-loving Americans had something snatched from us without warning: the Cholula Garlic Hot Sauce recipe changed. Or at least that’s what the rumors are.

Fans have taken to social media to express their concerns, and some have even gone as far as creating copycat recipes to try to recreate the original taste. But did the recipe really change? Let’s take a closer look.

The Origin of Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce

Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The ancient Aztecs were known for their love of spicy foods, and they used a variety of peppers in their meals. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they brought with them garlic, which quickly became a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine.

Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce was created using a family recipe that was passed down through generations. The recipe combines the heat of arbol and pequin peppers with the bold flavor of garlic, creating a unique and delicious sauce that has become a staple in kitchens around the world.

You could barely classify Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce as a hot sauce. It was extremely but had a delicious garlicy flavor profile that we liked to smother on ev-er-y-THANG!

Rumors Say Cholula Garlic Hot Sauce Recipe Changed

Recently, fans of Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce have been expressing concerns that the recipe has changed. Fans of the mild flavor began posting on Reddit sometime in the summer of 2022 asking their fellow garlic lovers whether or not they felt their favorite brand of hot sauce had changed.

Some have reported that the sauce tastes spicier than before, while others have said that it has a slightly different taste, that it lacks a garlic flavor, and it is deeper red in color whereas it used to be more orange.

“It is horrible now – I am so sad! I just finished the last of my old 64oz bottle and opened a new one to find it is completely changed for the worse,” one customer wrote. “Reordered another, and it’s the same. Should have checked online before I bothered, I just figured I got a spoiled batch, that’s how bad it is now!!

“Dude I knew I wasn’t tripping, it’s so much more spicy and the heat really lingers plus the taste has completely changed, the garlic taste was stronger and there was a more acidic almost vinegar-like taste as well which was delicious and now it’s just heat and no flavor. It was so good I used to lick it off my fingers…not anymore I guess,” another said.

Does the Company Concur that Cholula Garlic Hot Sauce Recipe Changed

When Westchester Woman commented on the company’s social media page complaining about the new taste and asking whether or not they changed. Someone from the company named Leslie replied to our post saying, “We haven’t made any changes. What seems different to you?”

So, they are sticking by their story that it’s the same old recipe as always, however, that hasn’t been the experience of many disappointed fans who aren’t buying it: there explanation or the hot sauce.

One thing that has changed at Cholula is its ownership. According to Wikipedia, L Cattertonm a buyout firm, agreed to buy the company. In 2019 they moved their offices from NYC to Stamford, Connecticut, and were later sold to McCormick & Company in November 2020.

Copycat Recipes

Despite Cholula’s reassurances that the recipe has not changed, some fans have taken matters into their own hands and created copycat recipes to try to recreate the original taste of the sauce. These recipes vary in their ingredients and methods, but they all aim to capture the unique flavor of Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce.

One popular copycat recipe calls for rehydrating arbol and pequin peppers in boiling water, then blending them with garlic, vinegar, and various spices like paprika and cumin. The resulting sauce is said to have a flavor that is very similar to Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce. Just google Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce Copycat recipe and you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Other Options If Cholula Garlic Hot Sauce Recipe Changed

We’ve yet to find a store-bought hot sauce that compares to the Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce we knew and loved. Many of us preferred this brand because it wasn’t burn your mouth off spicy. And while there are other garlic hot sauce options, a lot of them are very hot.

The closet garlic hot suace option might be Freshly Grate Parm Garlic Sauce. This flavor also comes in an XXXtra Hot version so the original might be mild enough for our tastebuds. Cilanktro Hot Sauce by Hank Sauce could be another good option since its mixed with both garlic and cilantro.

Cholula’s Commitment to Quality

While fans may debate whether or not the recipe has changed, one thing is clear: Cholula is still a fan favorite. Though some may be looking for alternatives to the company’s garlic flavor. It’s still a highly competitive, quality brand for those who live for the heat.

The company’s website states that its hot sauces are made with “carefully selected arbol and piquin peppers, plus handcrafted spices and seasonings.” The company is always looking for ways to improve and innovate. In recent years, they have introduced new flavors like Sweet Habanero and Chili Garlic.

Cholula is also committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. They work with farmers in Mexico to ensure that their peppers are grown using environmentally-friendly methods, and they are a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

The Growing Popularity of Hot Sauce

Part of the reason why Cholula’s Garlic Hot Sauce has become so popular in recent years is due to the growing popularity of hot sauce in general. As more and more people become interested in spicy foods, hot sauce has become a staple in kitchens around the world.

According to an article in The Daily Beast, the relationship between hot sauce and consumers in the U.S. has changed over time, with a growing multi-racial and multi-ethnic population having a direct impact on the culinary experiences of Americans. Hot sauce is reaping the benefits of these shifts, becoming a more popular part of the American diet.