It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of making my own sauces from scratch. Here are a few more recipes I think you’ll love: Nashville hot sauce, sriracha sauce, and sweet chili sauce! All are great for adding some heat and extra flavor to your favorite meals.
Why Make Homemade Hot Sauce?
It’s delicious, easy to mix up, and free of additives and preservatives! Plus you can adjust the flavor to personal preference. I know everyone has their favorite brand of hot sauce that they stick to, but trying this homemade version is a must! Now, let’s get into the flavor of this hot sauce. The main ingredient is dried chile de arbol which is 15,000-50,000 on the Scoville scale. For reference, they’re hotter than jalapenos (5,000-8,000) but not as hot as habanero peppers (100,000+ on the Scoville scale.) I would say this homemade hot sauce is moderately spicy when made as written. You can always adjust that, though!
Ingredient List
This is everything that I used to make hot sauce that has the perfect texture and a well-rounded, moderately spicy flavor! Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
Dried Chile de Arbol: The fiery heart of this sauce! These small red peppers pack a medium to moderate heat with a nutty and slightly earthy flavor. Wear gloves when handling them! Boiling Water: Softens the dried peppers, releasing their flavor and heat. Chopped Onion: For savory flavor. Garlic Cloves: Complement the onion and also add a little kick. Tomato Sauce: A touch of sweetness and tanginess to balance the chilies. Brown Sugar: Tames the heat a bit and brings a touch of sweetness. Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that pairs beautifully with the other flavors. Chili Powder: So the hot sauce has a little more smokiness and heat. White Wine Vinegar: Adds a sharp tang that cuts through the richness and balances the sweetness. Kosher Salt: Brings out all the yummy flavors!
Let’s Make Hot Sauce!
Before you begin, a couple important things to keep in mind. Wear gloves when handling peppers, and be extra mindful not to touch your face or eye area! Okay, now let’s get into making some tasty homemade hot sauce.
It’s Too Hot: If you went a little too heavy handed on those peppers, balance things out by adding extra brown sugar. Sweeteners: Instead of using brown sugar, try honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to switch up the flavor profile! It’s Not Hot Enough: Add more peppers and include the seeds! The seeds pack a lot of heat. You can also mix in different types of peppers. Try Thai hot peppers or habaneros!
Sriracha Sauce
20 mins
Chili Crisp
35 mins
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
5 mins
Honey Chipotle Sauce
5 mins
