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Gifts for Spicy Food Lovers
Whatever the occasion, heat things up with these spicy gifts.
Jul 15, 2025
Have you ever been to dinner with someone who lives for spice? I mean, really lives for it: You’re sitting there sweating and chugging water while admiring their tattoo of the Scoville scale and witnessing them pile on more heat without flinching.
For spice lovers, it’s not just about setting their mouth on fire; it’s the thrill, the endorphin rush, and the bold, complex flavors that keep them coming back for more. Spicy food actually triggers a little pain response that releases those feel-good chemicals, making the whole experience weirdly addictive and delicious.
So if you’re shopping for someone who loves living on the spicy side of life, I’ve got some hot gift ideas for them that will crank up the heat to 11 and keep their taste buds buzzing.
Fly By Jing
Some condiments have the power to change your life forever. You know the ones. First, you’re stockpiling jars like the world’s ending, and suddenly you’re putting the condiments on absolutely everything you eat.
If you’re looking for that kind of life-changing gift, let me point you toward the bold, spicy goodness of Fly By Jing. Their sauces, oils, and dips are inspired by the vibrant Sichuan flavors of Chengdu, home to the city’s famous “fly restaurants” — “soulful hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract diners like flies,” as described by Fly By Jing’s founder, Jing Gao.
We’re talking about FBJ’s cult-favorite Chili Crisp, Spicy Sichuan Chili Sauce, and for those who like a little sweet with their heat, the Sweet & Spicy Sichuan Chili Sauce. Sure, you can use it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or mix it into a noodle dish; and it’s probably the most perfect sauce to elevate your salmon, but these sauces are bold and so should how you use them. Think eggs Benedict and Triple Chocolate Cookies. Bold enough?
The spicy food lover’s meals will never be the same.
Shop: Fly By Jing
Bloody mary kit
The bloody mary is a drink with no rules. Extra olives? Go for it. Celery stick? Classic. A whole shrimp? Absolutely. Some people take it over the top (looking at you, rotisserie chicken crowd). But at the end of the day, it’s all about bold flavor.
READ MORE: Where in the World Did the Bloody Mary Come From?
For the heat seekers in your life, this kit gives them everything they need to make killer bloodies: mix, seasoning, garnishes, and a whole lot of spice. Ask any bloody mary fan and they’ll tell you: It’s always better with extra spice. Hot sauce, horseradish, or chili add the perfect kick, balancing the tangy tomato base and giving your brunch cocktail that wake-you-up edge. While you’re at it, toss in some of that aforementioned Fly By Jing sauce.
Shop: Bloody Mary Kit
Sausage
Just saying the word sausage makes me hear that snap of the link with every bite, bursting with flavors. From spicy Cajun-style andouille to smoked bratwurst loaded with cheddar and jalapeños, this sausage sampler will satisfy the heat seeker in your life. The spice blends cut through the richness, bringing out the smoky, salty flavor and waking up your taste buds all at once. Plus, that spicy kick adds an extra layer of flavor and makes sausage feel even more indulgent — and with four links of each variety, this sausage sampler most definitely delivers on that.
Shop: Sausage Sampler
Summer grilling sauces
Ask any pitmaster and they’ll tell you that the right sauces and rubs are essential to great BBQ because they build layers of flavor long before the first bite. And the best rubs and sauces? Well, those are the ones with some heat! The Summer Grilling Gift Box brings the heat with a variety of sauces and rubs like a signature buffalo wing sauce and the special peppercorn steak rub. So give the grillmaster in your life a gift that will spice up their life and fire up the family with this BBQ sauce gift set.
Shop: Summer Grilling Gift Box
Moose Munch Sweet & Spicy Snack Mix
Whether you’re searching for the perfect snack or the perfect match, sweet and spicy is always a winning combo. The sugar smooths things out, the spice brings the heat, and together they make every bite impossible to resist. So treat the spicy food lover in your life to something that celebrates both their fiery side and their sweet side. With caramel-coated popcorn, nuts, and seasoned snack mix all in one bag, the Moose Munch Sweet & Spicy Snack Mix is the kind of gift that’s indulgent, addictive, and seriously hard to share.
Shop: Moose Munch Snack Mix Sweet & Spicy
Jerky Gift Box
I’ve been lucky to receive many gifts over the years, but nothing ever feels as personal as getting a food gift basket. It shows that someone thought of me in a specific, meaningful way through my favorite love language: delicious food. Giving the spicy food lover in your life this flavorful jerky gift box — with four different jerkies and a sweet beer mustard — shows that you not only understand what they enjoy but that you want them to experience comfort, indulgence, and a little adventure through flavor.
Shop: Jerky Gift Box
Chicken & Vegetable Tikka Masala
When it comes to spicy food, some cuisines are at a whole other level. Mexican and Thai food are famous for their use of spice, but when you want that perfect balance of heat and comfort, it is hard to beat Indian and the famed tikka masala. This one blends classic Indian flavors with a touch of British influence and delivers a full-on flavor bomb. It is rich, comforting, and packed with spices.
Shop: Chicken & Vegetable Tikka Masala
Pepper & Onion Relish With Ghost Pepper
Is there anything relish can’t do? It adds sweet, tangy flavor to hot dogs, burgers, and sausages, brings a zesty punch to egg and potato salads, and can even liven up cheese boards and crackers.
The Pepper & Onion Relish is one of the most popular gifts from Harry & David and now it’s been upgraded by adding one of the world’s hottest chili peppers. With just a small amount, this ghost pepper relish delivers a slow-building, long-lasting burn with a hint of smoky, fruity flavor. A little goes a long way, and the bold kick is unforgettable.
Shop: Pepper & Onion Relish With Ghost Pepper
Vital Choice spices
If you want to give a gift that will knock their socks off and keep their taste buds tingling, the Vital Choice Seasoning Blend pack is the answer. These spices are perfect for grilling meats, flavoring fish, adding depth to sauces and dressings, or kicking up roasted vegetables. Choose up to four bold blends, like Lemon Pepper, Classic Creole, or Rustic Blackening, and give your favorite spice fanatic a gift that keeps the heat coming.
Shop: Seasoning Blends
AUTHOR
Nick Budabin is an Emmy Award winner who has been working in media for over 20 years. Nick has worked with numerous celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart and has produced content for Vice, Vox, MTV, A&E, TLC, Bravo, and more. Nick is the director of two feature-length documentaries: Chi-Town and Great White Summer. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids.
