Best Cooking Sauces and Condiments: A Buying Guide for Flavor Builders
If you buy one jar to make everyday cooking taste better, buy a savory booster: Noma Projects Mushroom Garum adds deep umami to broths, risotto and vegetables. Add one heat (Bomba di Calabria or harissa) and one bright note (yuzu kosho), and you can change the character of almost any dish.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | What it is | Best for | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noma Projects - Mushroom Garum - 250 mL | Fermented mushroom sauce with oats and rice koji | Umami in soups, ragù, risotto | Denmark |
| Noma Projects - Noma's Staff Chili Sauce - 200 g (BB January 15, 2027) | Salsa macha with ancho and morita chiles | Eggs, rice, sandwiches | Denmark |
| Noma Projects - Cep Oil - 250 mL (BB February 25, 2027) | Finishing oil steeped with cep (porcini) | Finishing, not frying | Denmark |
| Azienda Agricola Scalzo - Bomba di Calabria - Hot Pepper Paste - 6.7 oz. | Calabrian peperoncino crushed with extra virgin olive oil | Pasta and pizza heat | Calabria, Italy |
| Les Moulins Mahjoub - Traditional Harissa (Organic) - 185 g | Sun-dried peppers, garlic and spices, organic | Stews, roast vegetables | Tunisia |
| Yakami Orchard - Yuzu Kosho - Green Chili Pepper - 2 oz. | Yuzu zest, green chili, salt and kombu | A bright, spicy dab | Japan |
| Espinaler - Romesco Sauce - 6.5 oz. | Nutty, sweet pepper sauce | Anything off the grill | Barcelona, Spain |
| Noma Projects - Extra Spicy Corn Yuzu Hot Sauce - 250 mL | Habanero hot sauce, 1620 SHU | Fruity heat | Denmark |
Every product above is on our shelves as of publishing. Browse the full range in our Other Cooking Sauces collection.
How to choose
- Savory, hot or bright? Garum and cep oil add depth. Bomba, harissa and salsa macha add heat. Yuzu kosho and romesco add brightness.
- Cooking or finishing? Cep oil is a finishing oil: heat dulls it. Bomba and harissa can go into the pan.
- Check storage. Several of these jars ask to be refrigerated after opening; read the label.
Frequently asked questions
What is garum?
A fermented seasoning sauce. Noma Projects Mushroom Garum combines fermented mushrooms, oats and rice koji for concentrated umami.
What is salsa macha?
A Mexican chile and seed sauce. Noma's Staff Chili Sauce grinds ancho and morita chiles with toasted sunflower seeds.
What is yuzu kosho?
A Japanese condiment of yuzu zest, chili and salt; Yakami Orchard adds kombu.
How hot is Bomba di Calabria?
It is a spicy paste of Calabrian peppers in olive oil, so start with a small spoonful and build up.
How long do these keep after opening?
It varies by jar. For example, Mushroom Garum should be refrigerated and used within three months, and Cep Oil within six months.
Go deeper: New Nordic in a Bottle: A Danish Pantry Guide, Hot Sauce: The Complete Guide.
See also our Pantry Glossary and the map of where our food comes from.
