Frank’s Red Hot brand hot sauce is a Louisiana-style bottled hot sauce based on cayenne peppers. It is often claimed to be the sauce used in the original Buffalo Wings sauce. The Frank’s Red Hot Scoville Rating does not live up to it’s name. The sauce measures from 400 to 500 on the Scoville heat scale. So, as hot sauces go, Frank’s Red Hot isn’t exactly red hot. Many others are at least as hot as a jalapeno, at over 2000 Scoville Heat Units, while other modern sauces come close to 100,000 SHU’s.
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce Scoville Rating Quick Reference
- Made from Cayenne Peppers: They have a rating of 30,000 to 50,000 SHU
- Actual Frank’s Red Hot Scoville Rating: 400 to 500 (450 average
- Tabasco Scoville Rating for Comparison: 2,500 to 5,000 SHU
- Cholula Scoville Rating for Comparison: 100 SHU
- Jalapeño Rating for Comparison: 2000 SHU
- Frank’s Red Hot Xtra Hot Sauce: Company claims 4 times as hot as original, so around 2000 on the Scoville Scale.
- Verdict: Original Frank’s Red Hot is misnamed! But it tastes good!
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce History
- The Partnership (1918): Created in Louisiana by Jacob Frank and farmer Adam Estilette using a secret recipe of cayenne peppers, garlic, and spices.
- Corporate Evolution: The brand passed through several hands, including Durkee Famous Foods and Reckitt Benckiser, before being acquired by McCormick in 2017 for $4.2 billion.
- The Buffalo Wing Connection (1935/1964): While local lore often points to Teressa Bellissimo at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY, using it as the base for the first Buffalo Wing sauce, several others claim the title of originator.
- Modern Legacy: Today, it remains one of the top-selling hot sauce brands in the U.S., now featuring a wide lineup including Sriracha, Hot Honey, and pre-made Buffalo Wing sauce.
Frank’s Red Hot Isn’t That Hot (And That’s Okay)
- Flavor vs. Extremes: Unlike “super-hot” specialty brands like Dave’s Insanity that prioritize heat over taste, Frank’s Red Hot is designed as a balanced, everyday flavor enhancer.
- The “Bragging Rights” Trap: Many modern sauces use extreme extracts to reach high Scoville levels, but Frank’s maintains a classic culinary profile where you can actually taste the aged cayenne and garlic.
- Heat Comparison: While Frank’s (450 SHU) is milder than Tabasco (2,500+ SHU) or even Cholula (1,000 SHU), its vinegar-forward tang makes it the industry standard for Buffalo-style heat.
The Core Frank’s Lineup
- Original: Blend of aged cayenne peppers, vinegar, and garlic.
- Buffalo: A blend of the original sauce and “butter-type flavor.” Also available in creamy versions (Creamy Buffalo, Buffalo Ranch).
- Sriracha: Adds Thai chili to the classic sauce.
- Hot Honey: Adds honey to the classic ingredients.
- Chili ‘n Lime: The original sauce with lime and garlic.
Dipping & Wing Sauces
- Sweet & Tangy Golden: Based on Carolina Barbecue sauce, it adds mustard, spices, and sugar.
- Roasted Garlic: Adds roasted garlic to the original sauce.
- Garlic Parmesan: Garlic and parmesan flavored Frank’s Red Hot
- Pineapple Hawaiian: Flavored with pineapple and soy sauce.
Other Frank’s Products
- Kickin’ BBQ, Stinging Honey Garlic, Buffalo Ranch, and Chili ‘n Lime.
- Spicy Maple (ltd. edition)
- Ghost Pepper Ranch (ltd. edition)
- Korean BBQ (ltd. edition)
- Mango Habanero (ltd. edition)
- Sweet ‘N Sour (ltd. edition)
How Hot is Frank’s Red Hot Xtra Hot Sauce?
According to the company, the Xtra Hot version of Frank’s Red Hot is four times as hot as the original. If the Scoville Heat Unit rating of the original is 500, then this would make the Xtra hot 2000 on the Scoville Scale.
However, it is given as 2085 on both Chilliworld and Wikipedia, with no explanation. It is safe to say that it is something like a mild jalapeno or a hot poblano.
Final Verdict: The “Big Three” Hot Sauce Comparison
Choosing between the most popular grocery store hot sauces usually comes down to your goal for the meal. Here is how Frank’s Red Hot stacks up against the other two giants in the “Big Three”:
- For Classic Buffalo Wings: Frank’s Red Hot (450 SHU) is the undisputed king. Its heavy vinegar profile and mild cayenne heat are what define the “Buffalo” flavor.
- For Versatile Mexican Flavor: Cholula (~1,000 SHU) is roughly twice as hot as Frank’s but focuses more on a complex, piquin and arbol chili spice blend rather than vinegar tang.
- For a Pure Heat Punch: Original Tabasco (2,500–5,000 SHU) is significantly hotter than both. Its simple three-ingredient recipe is best when you want to add a clean, fermented heat without altering the dish’s base flavors too much.
Growing up in the South, many of us reach for The Original Louisiana Brand before we ever heard of Buffalo wings. If you’re wondering how the ‘original’ stacks up against Frank’s in terms of heat and salt, check out my Louisiana Hot Sauce deep dive.
