25 Cult Condiments Worth Stocking Your Pantry With
These 25 cult leaders of the condiment world are proof that condiments make everything better, and have inspired fanatical followers because of it.
1/24Durkee Famous Sauce
This tangy mayo/mustard hybrid with a healthy kick of vinegar was created by Eugene R. Durkee in 1857, making it America's first packaged condiment. Eric Finkelstein from Court Street Grocers says that "people from all over the country have a connection to this product, and for whatever reason all think it's from their hometown." It originated in Buffalo, NY, but now it's produced in Iowa.
Buy it: $8 on Amazon
2/24Kewpie Mayo
This Japanese mayo is slightly sweeter than good ol' Hellmann's, and packs an umami punch thanks to monosodium glutamate. David Chang once called it "the best mayonnaise in the world," and we don't disagree.
Buy it: $9 on Amazon
3/24Maggi Seasoning
This soy sauce–like condiment has cult status among the Vietnamese. It adds a deep, meaty flavor to whatever dish it's added to, kind of like Bragg Liquid Aminos. If you've had banh mi, chances are you've tasted it; it's often mixed with mayo and used as a spread. The bottle says it best: It really does "improve the taste."
Buy it: $10 on Amazon
4/24Maggi Würze
This is the original stuff from Germany, and Finkelstein says it has "even more umami, if that's possible." It's possible. Although people associate Maggi with Asian cooking, it was actually developed in Swizerland in the late 19th century. You can thank the French, because they likely introduced the European condiment to Vietnam.
Buy it: $14 on Amazon
5/24Ranch
Stoners like to dunk their pizza in it, kids like to dip their baby carrots in it, and moms like to dress their salad with it. We like D: All of the above.
Buy it: $4 on Amazon
6/24Sriracha
Sriracha is named after a place in Thailand, but is nicknamed "rooster sauce" because of the label, which is the founder's Chinese zodiac sign. People are so obsessed with Sriracha that a book was written about it, and we even once dedicated a week to it.
Buy it: $6 on Amazon
7/24Vegemite vs Marmite
The long-term debate between Aussies and Brits about which is better is one bloody battle. Aussies will tell you Vegemite is better, and the Brits will argue that Marmite takes the cake. The bottom line is, both of these super intensely flavored, concentrated yeast and vegetable spreads either belong on buttered toast, or nowhere near it, depending on who you talk to.
Buy it: Vegemite, $8 on Amazon and Marmite, $5.99 on Amazon
8/24Avery Island Kosher Salt
Avery Island is one of the five salt dome islands rising above the flat Louisiana Gulf Coast, and it's where the peppers for Tabasco sauce are grown (and where the sauce is made). This salt is harvested there, and if you're from the South, or a die-hard Tabasco fan, you know this is the only salt worth its... salt.
Buy it: $8 on Amazon
9/24Tapatío vs Valentina
Every time a group of Cali hipsters go out for tacos, the question is asked: Tapatío or Valentina? Tapatío is made in SoCal, while Valentina is made in Guadalajara. Tapatío is spicy up front, while Valentina tends to linger. We like them both, but according to assistant editor Amiel Stanek, Valentina is better because "it's cheaper." #priorities
Buy it: Tapatío, $12 on Amazon and Valentina, $6.12 on Amazon
10/24Nutritional Yeast
Vegans are obsessed with nutritional yeast because it has a nutty, cheesy, and creamy flavor that makes it a popular cheese substitute. Even if you do get down with dairy, try it atop roast veggies or buttered noodles. Trust us.
Buy it: $7 on Amazon
11/24Hot Honey
Mike's Hot Honey, founded in Brooklyn in 2011 really catapulted this new honey category. Addicts drizzle it on ice cream, pizza, cheese, chicken, vegetables, shrimp, and probably their faces, too.
Buy it: $12 on Amazon
12/24Bourbon Maple Syrup
If you're the kind of person who likes chocolate covered bacon, you're probably already part of the bourbon-spiked maple syrup cult (or from Brooklyn). Bourbon syrup adds a smoky, boozy note to your breakfast, but we won't say no to it drizzled atop ice cream or stirred into coffee.
Buy it: $29 at Food52
13/24Sambal
Yup, there's that rooster again. Huy Fong Foods hit another home run with its sambal, which is made from chiles, shrimp paste, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, lime, and vinegar. If you find yourself hanging with some native Angelenos (or if you are one, you know what we mean), you'll see them putting it on everything: eggs, rice, soup, dumplings, pizza, vegetables, Korean tacos, and stir-fry. What did we miss?
Buy it: $10 on Amazon
14/24Banana Sauce
Banana sauce was invented in the Philippines during WWII when there was a shortage of tomatoes and subsequently, ketchup. It's made from mashed bananas, sugar, vinegar, and spices. It's the number one favorite condiment in the Philippines, and although they use it like ketchup (on their eggs, hotdogs, burgers, and as a sauce for brisket), they'll be the first to tell you it's better than Heinz.
Buy it: $7 on Amazon
