Description
Spicy jalapeño hot sauce delivers fiery Mexican-inspired flavors straight to your table. Fresh peppers and zesty seasonings combine for a quick condiment that will ignite your culinary passion and elevate any dish you serve.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Peppers:
- 1 pound jalapeño peppers or other hot peppers
Aromatics and Seasoning:
- 2 large cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 tablespoon salt
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2–4 tablespoons white vinegar
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) water
Instructions
- Prep the jalapeños by carefully removing stems and slicing them lengthwise. For a milder sauce, delicately scoop out the seeds using a small spoon.
- Combine the prepared jalapeños with garlic, salt, and liquid ingredients in a high-powered blender. Pulse initially to break down the peppers, then blend continuously until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
- Evaluate the sauce’s flavor profile, adjusting seasoning by adding extra salt or vinegar as needed. Continue blending until the texture is completely uniform and no chunky pieces remain.
- Select your preferred preservation method: quick refrigeration, brief fermentation, or gentle cooking technique.
- For a classic refrigeration approach, transfer the vibrant green sauce to a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator. The sauce will maintain its fresh flavor for approximately three months.
- Alternatively, explore fermentation by leaving the uncovered jar at room temperature for roughly 24 hours. This process develops a more complex, tangy flavor profile. Once fermented, immediately refrigerate to halt the fermentation process.
- For those preferring a mellower sauce, pour the mixture into a saucepan. Gently simmer over medium heat, stirring consistently, until the color transforms to a deeper, muted green. This cooking process typically takes about two minutes. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring to storage.
- Experiment with these methods to discover your preferred hot sauce style, embracing the subtle variations in flavor and heat intensity.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds, creating a personalized spice level that suits your taste buds.
- Blending longer creates a smoother, more consistent sauce texture with intense pepper flavors.
- Fermentation adds complexity and depth, transforming the hot sauce into a tangy, more sophisticated condiment.
- Refrigeration extends the sauce’s shelf life up to three months, ensuring you always have a fresh, homemade hot sauce.
- Cooking briefly mellows the spice and softens the raw pepper flavor, offering a different taste profile for those preferring a gentler heat.
- Experimenting with different techniques allows you to discover your perfect hot sauce style, making each batch a unique culinary adventure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Makes about 1 cup.
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 2325mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg