Homemade Hot Sauce

Name: Homemade Hot Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 20 servings
Cuisine: Quebecois
Ingredients: 300 g red hot peppers (such as cayenne or tabasco, stemmed and chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 cup white vinegar; 1 teaspoon salt

40 min 20 servings Easy

All Recipes

Homemade Hot Sauce

A fiery, tangy homemade hot sauce perfect for spicing up any dish.

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Total

40 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

If you're a fan of heat and love adding a spicy kick to your meals, this homemade hot sauce recipe is just what you need. Inspired by the famous Tabasco style, this sauce brings a bold flavour, balanced with a hint of vinegar tanginess. Making your own hot sauce not only allows you to control the heat level but also lets you experiment with different types of peppers to suit your taste. Whether you prefer it mild or fiery hot, this recipe is versatile and easy to customize.

Ingredients

Servings

For the Hot Sauce

Instructions

Prepare the Peppers

Wear gloves and chop the red hot peppers, removing stems. Combine them with minced garlic.

Pro tip: Using gloves prevents skin irritation from the capsaicin in peppers.

Cook the Mixture

In a medium saucepan, combine peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.

Pro tip: Ensure the kitchen is well-ventilated to avoid irritation from the spicy steam.

Blend the Sauce

Transfer the cooked mixture to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Let it cool slightly before handling.

Pro tip: For a smoother sauce, strain through a fine mesh sieve after blending.

Sterilize the Bottles

While the sauce cools, sterilize glass bottles or jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Dry thoroughly.

Pro tip: Sterilizing ensures the sauce stays fresh longer.

Bottle the Sauce

Pour the blended sauce into sterilized bottles using a funnel. Seal tightly.

Pro tip: Leave some space at the top to allow for expansion.

Store and Enjoy

Store the hot sauce in the refrigerator. Allow flavours to meld for at least 24 hours before use.

Pro tip: The sauce will develop more flavour the longer it sits.

💡

Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Use fresh, ripe peppers for the best flavour.</li><li>Wear gloves when handling hot peppers to avoid skin irritation.</li><li>Adjust the amount of vinegar for desired tanginess.</li><li>Store the sauce in sterilized bottles for longer shelf life.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve this homemade hot sauce with your favourite dishes, from scrambled eggs to tacos, or even as a marinade. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, adding an extra dimension of flavour. For make-ahead convenience, store your hot sauce in the fridge for up to two months. Ensure the bottles are properly sterilized to maintain freshness.