Buzz
Buffalo wings are one of the most beloved dishes featuring Frank's RedHot, as highlighted by McCormick.You might recall the iconic and humorous ad campaign from years ago featuring a quirky elderly lady who proudly declared she adds "that $#!t to everything."
That memorable lady was referring to Frank's RedHot, a hot sauce invented in 1918 by Adam Estilette and Jacob Frank. Their recipe combined garlic powder, distilled vinegar, aged cayenne pepper, and salt, aiming to create a flavorful rival to Tabasco for enhancing everyday meals.
Frank, the founder of the Frank Tea & Spice Company, collaborated with Estilette, a pepper farmer from New Iberia, Louisiana, to develop the iconic sauce. Despite the first bottle of Frank's RedHot being produced at Estilette's pickling plant in 1920, it remains unclear why Frank's name took prominence while Estilette faded into obscurity in hot sauce lore.
Frank's and Buffalo Wings
After its debut, Frank's RedHot remained a staple in delis, diners, and households for four decades without much fanfare. It wasn't until the early 1960s that the sauce gained widespread popularity. The story of its rise to fame begins with a group of hungry men at a bar, craving the ultimate late-night treat.
The spotlight turns to Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. One Friday night in 1964, owner Dominic Bellissimo and his friends arrived with "ravenous appetites." Dominic asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something delicious for them.
Teressa decided to use chicken wings, which were typically reserved for soups and stocks. She fried them and coated them in what is believed to be Frank's RedHot. Bellissimo and his friends were instantly hooked. News of Anchor Bar's "Buffalo wings" spread quickly, and the dish became a legendary part of culinary history.
Frank's RedHot offers a range of flavors, such as Xtra Hot and Sweet Chili, as pictured here.
Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty ImagesHow Hot Is Frank's RedHot?
In terms of spiciness, Frank's RedHot isn't the most intense. According to the Scoville scale, which quantifies the heat of peppers based on capsaicinoid content, Frank's scores a modest 450 Scoville heat units (SHU). Comparatively, Sriracha measures 2,000 SHU; Tabasco reaches around 5,000 SHU; El Yucateco XXX Habanero delivers a fiery 11,600 SHU; and Dave's Ultimate Insanity Hot Sauce scorches with an intense 250,000 SHU.
Beyond Capsaicinoids, the enduring popularity of Frank's RedHot is unquestionable. Celebrating over a century of existence, this hot sauce has stood the test of time and continues to thrive.
"Consumers are increasingly drawn to bold, spicy flavors to enhance their favorite meals and snacks," explains Kevan Vetter, executive chef at McCormick, the parent company of Frank's. "Frank's is most commonly used on wings, chicken sandwiches, Buffalo chicken dip, bloody marys, and eggs." He notes that Frank's RedHot is especially favored by millennials.
"I consider Frank's to be the Bud Light of hot sauces," says Noah Chaimberg, hot sauce expert and founder of Heatonist. "This isn't to say it's inferior—Frank's is everywhere and serves as a mild introduction for those new to hot sauce. You can use it generously without worrying about overwhelming heat."
Chaimberg attributes the brand's enduring appeal to its accessibility in a world of increasingly spicier hot sauces. By consistently being available in stores and on menus, Frank's has become a staple in many households.
Frank's Goes Global
A key factor in Frank's ongoing success is its 2017 acquisition by McCormick, which expanded its reach beyond the U.S. and Canada, allowing the brand to grow internationally. Additionally, Frank's appeals to health-conscious consumers with its paleo-friendly, vegan recipe and zero-calorie profile, making it a favorite among those with dietary restrictions.
The brand remains committed to establishing Frank's RedHot as the top hot sauce worldwide.
"We maintain a lighthearted approach and actively connect with our social media audience," Vetter explains. "They value our recommendations, and we love hearing about their unique Frank's pairings. So far, the Frank's team hasn't encountered a combination that's too outlandish. Its versatility means there's no pairing we'd call strange—just ones we haven't explored yet."
While Frank's RedHot shines on chicken wings—a favorite for many, with the National Chicken Council estimating Americans consume roughly 32 billion wings each year—it's also a hit on unexpected items. From Lay's hot sauce potato chips to Dunkin Donuts' Frank's RedHot-jelly filled donut, the possibilities are endless, proving the old lady right: that $#!t is good on everything.
