If you love adding a burst of heat to your meals, this homemade cayenne pepper hot sauce is just what you need. With its bright color and intense flavor, it’s perfect for those who like their dishes with a bit of a kick. This easy-to-follow recipe allows you to create a sauce that’s perfectly tailored to your heat preference, whether you like it mildly spicy or intensely fiery. Ready in just a few simple steps, this hot sauce will quickly become a must-have in your kitchen.
Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce Recipe
1
bottle15
minutes15
minutes25
kcal30
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
500 g 2 cup fresh cayenne peppers
3 3 cloves garlic
1 1 small onion
240 ml 1 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1 Lime
Equipment
Blender or food processor- Saucepan
- Strainer
- Glass bottle or jar
Directions
- Wash the cayenne peppers thoroughly. For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes; for maximum heat, keep them intact.
- Chop the peppers into small pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the sautéed garlic and onions to a blender or food processor along with the chopped cayenne peppers, vinegar, salt, and sugar (if using). Blend until smooth.
- (Optional) To deepen the flavor, transfer the blended mixture to a clean glass jar, cover it with a lid, and let it ferment at room temperature for 3-7 days. Ensure the jar is loosely covered to allow gases to escape. Taste daily until it reaches your desired flavor profile.
- If you opted for fermentation, pour the fermented mixture back into a saucepan. If not, use the freshly blended sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, cooking for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- For a smoother sauce, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing down to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
- Transfer the finished hot sauce into a clean glass bottle or jar. Seal tightly and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for up to 3 months in the fridge.
Notes
- A touch of honey or sugar can balance the acidity and heat.
- Try apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar for a different flavor profile.
How long does homemade hot sauce last?
Your cayenne pepper hot sauce can last up to 3 months in the refrigerator when stored in a tightly sealed glass bottle or jar.
