Hot Sauce Recipe

With this easy homemade hot sauce you may never have to buy hot sauce again! Well, that’s probably not true but you will get to enjoy the most delicious hot sauce, and one that tastes even better for having made it yourself!

Homemade hot sauce is a fun and delicious project to tackle when you have a bounty of hot peppers. You can use a variety of hot chilies to make your own hot sauce, and the combinations of peppers and seasonings you can use are endless!

The basic premise is to lightly ferment hot peppers before blending them into a sauce, similarly to making sauerkraut and the like, then mix them up with vinegar.

Most hot sauces have other seasonings like garlic, onion, and sometimes contain spices like cumin, coriander, or even mustard seeds.

But whether you want a clean heat where the fruity flavor of the peppers come through or a well seasoned hot sauce, this recipe is a great place to start and make your own!

hot sauce recipe

Easy Homemade Hot Sauce

hot sauce recipe

Homemade hot sauce is cheap and easy, and the results are fresh tasting and mouthwatering. It’s way better than store bought versions! This recipe can be adjusted if you have more or less peppers. If you have a scale keep around 2-3% of salt by weight, otherwise weigh your peppers when you buy them and adjust the salt based on the amount you have. Wear gloves when handling the hot peppers.

Prep: 10min

Total: 8D 10min

Ingredients:

  • 226g (8oz) chili peppers, tops removed and coarsely chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 6g (1 tsp) coarse kosher salt*
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice wine vinegar

Instruction:

  1. Add the peppers, garlic cloves, salt, and water in a food processor. Process until you reach the texture of a chunky salsa.
  2. Transfer to a clean glass container and cover with a cheesecloth. Leave on the counter at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
  3. After 1-2 days, stir in the apple cider vinegar. Leave on the counter, covered with a cheesecloth for 5-7 days (if you have time, go the full week!).
  4. After 1 week, transfer to a blender and purée until smooth. If it’s very thick add more water (and/or vinegar to taste) to thin. Optional: strain the sauce through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth lined strainer. Squeeze out all the juice from the remaining pulp. Straining will make a thinner sauce, so wait to thin the sauce if you are straining it.
  5. Transfer to a clean jar or hot sauce bottle and refrigerate. It will last for several months.
  6. Separation is normal, shake before use.

Homemade Hot Sauce (Fermented or Quick Cook Recipe)

hot sauce recipe

Homemade hot sauce makes a perfect gift! Make either traditional fermented hot sauce or a quick cook version, which is done in less than half an hour.

Prep: 10min

Total: 5D 15min

Serving Size: 1 tsp

Nutrition Facts: calories 1 calories, Carbohydrate 0 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 0 grams fat, Fiber 0 grams fiber, Protein 0 grams protein, Saturated Fat 0 grams saturated fat, servingSize 1 tsp, Sodium 22 milligrams sodium, Sugar 0 grams sugar, Trans Fat 0 grams trans fat, unSaturated Fat 0 grams unsaturated fat

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds peppers of your choosing (a mix of sweet peppers and hot peppers), tops/stems removed, halved
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 4 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum, optional (see notes)

Instruction:

  1. Place the peppers and garlic in a clean wide-mouth quart canning jar. Set aside.
  2. To make the brine, heat the filtered water and sea salt in a medium saucepan until the salt has dissolved completely. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Pour the brine over the peppers and garlic, completely submerging them. If you run out of brine, you can make more by mixing 1 cup of warm filtered water with 1 teaspoon of sea salt.
  4. Fit the jar with a fermentation lid or cheesecloth secured with a rubber band (see notes on weighing down the peppers if using cheesecloth). Place in a warm, dark spot for 5-7 days, or until the brine looks cloudy and small bubbles begin to appear when you tap the side of the jar. Make sure the peppers stay submerged under the brine during the entire fermentation process to prevent mold-growth.
  5. When the fermentation time is up, strain the brine, reserving it. Place the fermented peppers and garlic in a blender, and add in 1 cup of the brine, plus the apple cider vinegar, and honey or maple syrup, if using. Blend until completely smooth, adding in additional brine to reach the desired thickness.
  6. While the blender is running, sprinkle in the xanthan gum, if using, and blend for an additional minute.
  7. Transfer to a bottle and store in the fridge for 3-6 months.
  8. Combine the peppers, garlic, 2 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of sea salt, apple cider vinegar, and honey or maple syrup, if using, in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers and garlic have softened.
  9. Pour mixture into a blender (making sure to leave the cover vent open, but covered with a kitchen towel) and blend until very smooth.
  10. While the blender is running, sprinkle in the xanthan gum, if using, and blend for an additional minute.
  11. Transfer mixture to a squeeze bottle and store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

15 Minute Homemade Hot Sauce

hot sauce recipe

Homemade hot sauce recipe that tastes just like Frank’s hot sauce! Ready in 15 minutes and can be tailored to mild, medium or hot – however you want!

Prep: 5min

Total: 15min

Yield: 2

Ingredients:

  • 20 fresh peppers of your choice (Fresno, Cayenne, Jalapeno are good ones)
  • 1 1/2 cups white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp minced fresh garlic

Instruction:

  1. Put on gloves (kitchen-safe) and wash the peppers.
  2. Cut the tops off of your peppers and slice in half lengthwise.
  3. Pour the vinegar into a saucepan/pot, add peppers, salt, and garlic. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a low boil until peppers are soft (about 10 minutes).
  4. Pour everything into your blender, including peppers and vinegar.
  5. Blend it (seeds and all) until liquefied.
  6. Add additional heat if desired. If you like it hot, add a Habanero (or half of one), re-blend and re-taste.
  7. Enjoy. You now have hot sauce!

Jalapeño Hot Sauce

hot sauce recipe

This simple jalapeño hot sauce is the perfect way to add some spice and flavor to your meal.

Prep: 5min

Total: 15min

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb jalapeño peppers (about 6 large peppers)
  • 1/2 onion (peeled and quartered)
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed and halved)
  • 2/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 10 sprigs cilantro (roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 cup water
  • oil (to coat the pan)

Instruction:

  1. Bring cast iron pan to medium-high heat and add a splash of oil.
  2. Add the whole jalapeño peppers, quartered onion, and garlic to the hot pan.
  3. Roast ingredients for about 5 minutes until lightly browned, turning frequently for even searing.
  4. Remove the peppers and carefully slice them into rings.
  5. Simmer the jalapeños and onions in a pan with the water for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add in the garlic, salt, cumin, and sugar, stirring to combine. Simmer an additional 1 minute or so.
  7. Add the simmered mixture into a blender along with the cilantro and vinegar.
  8. Blend until smooth and let cool.
  9. Season to taste by adding more salt and/or cumin, as desired.
  10. Add into hot sauce bottles, mason jars, or container of choice and store in the refrigerator.

How to Make Hot Sauce | Hot Ones Extra

FAQ

What is the main ingredient in hot sauce?

Chili peppers of all varieties are the main ingredient in hot sauces providing their fiery flavor. Other common ingredients include vinegar, citrus fruits (lemons, limes, etc.), seasonings (e.g., garlic), salt, and other vegetables and fruits often pickled in the sauce.

How do you preserve homemade hot sauce?

If you have a tight seal and boil your sauce for at least 20 minutes, you can safely store the sauce on the shelf (in shaded and cool location) for 6 months. A rule of thumb is that a hot sauce recipe with at 20% vinegar will have a pH at a safe level for preserving.

What makes Mexican hot sauce different?

According to Serious Eats, Mexican-style hot sauce, also known as salsa picante, is a smooth variety of hot sauce that usually uses a blend of pepper types rather than utilizing just one variety. Typically, the combination is made up of habanero, chipotle, pequin, and jalapeno chilies, as Taste of Home notes.

Why is Louisiana hot sauce so good?

What makes Louisiana hot sauce different? A perfect balance of heat and flavor and simple ingredients is what makes Louisiana hot sauce different. Thus, it’s not too spicy or too mild. They use the best peppers combined with vinegar and salt and are fermented for about three years to create real Cajun flavor.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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