Red Hot Pepper Sauce
A fiery red hot pepper sauce with bold flavors from garlic, onion, and spices, perfect for adding heat and zest to meats, tacos, or dips.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large glass bowl, combine hot red peppers and boiling water.
- Let stand for 1 hour.
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan and sauté minced garlic, chopped onion, ground cumin, and dried oregano for 3 minutes.
- Remove peppers from water and run through a food processor until finely chopped.
- Return processed peppers to water; add vinegar and salt.
- Transfer all ingredients to a stainless steel pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, adding water as necessary until the desired thickness is achieved.
- Allow the sauce to cool and then place in the refrigerator for storage.
- The sauce will keep for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Optionally, can and water bath for 15 minutes for preservation.
Tips & Substitutions
For a milder sauce, consider using fewer hot red peppers or combining them with sweet bell peppers. If you don’t have ground cumin, ground coriander can be a good substitute. Make sure to let the mixture stand for at least an hour to fully extract the flavors from the peppers. This sauce works great as a condiment for Mexican recipes, especially in dishes like tacos or burritos.
Serving Suggestions
This spicy red hot pepper sauce is perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, tacos, or using as a dipping sauce for appetizers. It pairs beautifully with dishes like Mexican Caldillo Stew or can be mixed into a zesty Margarita Mix Slush for a kick. Serve alongside chips or use it to spice up your favorite vegan recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, transfer the red hot pepper sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for 4 to 6 weeks. For long-term storage, you can can the sauce using a water bath for 15 minutes, ensuring it remains sealed and safe for future use.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Red Hot Pepper Sauce contains roughly 1491 calories, with 44g protein, 172g carbohydrates, and 97g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (252% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1495mg per serving (65% 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 adjust the heat level of this sauce?
Yes, you can easily adjust the heat level by using fewer hot red peppers or mixing in milder peppers. Additionally, removing the seeds and membranes from the peppers will reduce the heat. Remember to taste as you go to achieve your desired spiciness.
How can I make this sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce, allow it to simmer longer, stirring occasionally. If you prefer a quicker method, you can add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water to the simmering sauce, stirring until it reaches your desired thickness.
What can I use this sauce for besides dipping?
This versatile sauce can be used as a marinade for meats, a flavorful addition to soups, or a spicy ingredient in sauces. Try incorporating it into your favorite Mexican recipes, like enchiladas or burritos, to enhance the overall flavor.
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).