Country Style Chile Sauce
A rich, smoky chili sauce blending ripe tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, perfect for topping meats, drizzling over dishes, or enjoying as a flavorful condiment.
Ingredients
- 4 qt. peeled, cored, chopped ripe tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 qt. chopped red or green peppers ⓘ
- 3 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 large celery ribs, chopped
- 2 hot peppers ⓘ
- 2 large cloves garlic ⓘ
- 3 c. cider vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 c. pickling salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/3 c. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 c. light or dark corn syrup ⓘ
- 2 tsp. ground cloves ⓘ
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine tomatoes, peppers, onion, celery, hot pepper, garlic, vinegar, salt, both sugars, and corn syrup in a large kettle.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, you can blend part of the mixture after simmering. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, increase the brown sugar. Substitute green bell peppers for red if desired, and use white vinegar in place of cider vinegar if you don't have it on hand. This sauce is versatile enough to be used in various American recipes, so feel free to experiment with the spices.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Country Style Chile Sauce as a zesty topping for grilled meats or as a dip for tortilla chips. It pairs beautifully with Plentiful Potato Salad for a hearty meal. Consider using it as a base for chili or to enhance the flavor of stews. It also makes a great addition to sandwiches and burgers.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen for up to six months. To reheat, simply warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This sauce can also be used straight from the fridge as a condiment.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Style Chile Sauce contains roughly 2043 calories, with 28g protein, 389g carbohydrates, and 54g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (235% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (129% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (71% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1428mg per serving (62% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce spicier?
Absolutely! To increase the heat, add more hot peppers or include a dash of cayenne pepper. You can also experiment with different types of hot peppers to find the right balance for your taste.
Can I can this sauce for longer storage?
Yes, you can can this sauce using proper canning techniques. Make sure to follow guidelines for acidity, as the vinegar helps preserve it. Use sterilized jars and process them in a water bath for safe long-term storage.
What can I substitute for the corn syrup?
If you don't have corn syrup, you can use honey or agave syrup as a substitute. Keep in mind that this may slightly alter the flavor and sweetness of the sauce, but it will still be delicious.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).