Hot Sauce Recipes

Classic Jalapeño Verde Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 3 tablespoons jalapeño flakes (add more for extra heat)
✔ 4 medium tomatillos, diced (about 1 cup)
✔ 2 tablespoons spice mix
✔ 2 teaspoons lime juice

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the water, jalapeño flakes, and diced tomatillos.
Bring to a gentle simmer and stir in the spice mix.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes, or until the tomatillos and peppers begin to soften.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the warm mixture to a blender. Add the apple cider vinegar and lime juice.
Blend until smooth or to your desired texture.
Return the sauce to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust consistency if desired by adding a small amount of water or additional ingredients.

Chili de Árbol Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 8–12 dried chile de árbol peppers, stems removed (about 1/4 cup)
✔ 1 medium tomato, diced
✔ 2 tablespoons spice mix
✔ 2 teaspoons lime juice

Directions

Combine water, chile de árbol peppers, and diced tomato in a small saucepan.
Bring to a simmer and stir in the spice mix.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes, until the peppers and tomato soften.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and add vinegar and lime juice.
Blend until smooth.
Return to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust thickness as desired.

Smoky Chipotle Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 1 bag dried chipotle peppers (about 6 peppers)
✔ 1 medium tomato, diced
✔ 1½ tablespoons spice mix
✔ 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional)
✔ 3 teaspoons orange juice

Directions

Add water, chipotle peppers, and diced tomato to a saucepan.
Bring to a simmer and stir in the spice mix and oregano.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes until ingredients soften.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a blender and add vinegar and orange juice.
Blend until smooth.
Return to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust consistency if needed.

Habanero Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 5–6 habanero peppers (about 1/8 cup)
✔ 1 small tomato, diced
✔ 1 small carrot, diced (optional)
✔ 1½ tablespoons spice mix
✔ 1 teaspoon brown sugar or agave nectar
✔ 1 teaspoon lime juice

Directions

⚠ Wear gloves when handling habanero peppers.

Add water, habaneros, tomato, and carrot to a saucepan.
Bring to a simmer and stir in the spice mix and brown sugar.
Simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until the carrots become tender.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a blender and add vinegar and lime juice.
Blend until smooth.
Return to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust thickness as desired.

Mango Habanero Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 5–6 habanero peppers (about 1/8 cup)
✔ 1 small tomato, diced
✔ 1 small carrot, diced (optional)
✔ 1½ tablespoons spice mix
✔ 1/4 cup dried mango (or fresh mango)
✔ 1 teaspoon lime juice

Directions

⚠ Wear gloves when handling habanero peppers.

Add water, habaneros, tomato, carrot, and mango to a saucepan.
Bring to a simmer and stir in the spice mix.
Simmer for approximately 5 minutes, or until the carrots soften.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a blender and add vinegar and lime juice.
Blend until smooth.
Return to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Adjust consistency if necessary.

Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce

Ingredients

✔ 2 cups water
✔ 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
✔ 3–4 ghost peppers, stems removed
✔ 1 medium tomato, diced
✔ 1 small onion, diced
✔ 1½ tablespoons spice mix

Directions

⚠ Extreme Heat Warning: Wear gloves when handling ghost peppers and avoid touching your face or eyes.

Combine water, ghost peppers, tomato, and onion in a saucepan.
Bring to a simmer and stir in the spice mix.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes until ingredients soften.
Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a blender and add vinegar.
Blend until smooth.
Return to the saucepan and heat to approximately 190°F (88°C) for 2 minutes.
Add water if needed to achieve your preferred consistency.

Hot Sauce Making Tips

✔ For a thinner sauce, add water one tablespoon at a time.
✔ For a thicker sauce, simmer longer or add additional vegetables.
✔ For more heat, increase the amount of peppers used.
✔ For a smoother texture, blend longer.
✔ Refrigerate finished sauces after bottling.
✔ Allow sauces to rest for 24 hours before serving for maximum flavor development.