Name: Habanero Hot Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 20 medium Habaneros; 1/2 cup (125ml) cider vinegar or distilled vinegar; 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 4 tsp sugar; 3 shallots or 1/4 red onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped; Salt to taste

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This spicy habanero hot sauce is going to blow your head off! It's very tasty though.

As much as I love habanero hot sauce, it's good to know that you can make it at home in minutes. You only need the habanero chilies and 6 other easy to find ingredients. This recipe is too easy not to make if you like a good hot sauce. Not only is it better than most you can purchase, it is also a lot cheaper.

This habanero hot sauce can be added to any dish when a bit more heat is desired. Try it on tacos, corn chips or a good steak. Are you ready to make habanero hot sauce? It only takes about 20 minutes.

What is habanero hot sauce?

Habanero hot sauce is a spicy condiment made primarily from habanero chili peppers. Habaneros are known for their intense heat and fruity flavour, and they are one of the hottest chilies on the planet.

The hot sauce is made by blending or processing habanero peppers with other ingredients to create a flavourful and fiery sauce.

What are the key ingredients in habanero chili sauce?

Habanero Peppers: These are the star ingredient, providing the heat and distinctive fruity flavour. The number of habaneros used will determine the sauce's spiciness.
Vinegar: Vinegar serves multiple purposes in habanero hot sauce. It adds acidity, acts as a preservative, and helps balance the heat of the peppers.
Salt: Salt is a crucial ingredient for seasoning and enhancing the overall flavour of the hot sauce.
Additional Ingredients: Some recipes, like mine in the recipe card below, might include other ingredients to add complexity to the sauce, such as garlic, onions, fruits (like mango or pineapple), and herbs.

How do you make habanero hot sauce?

The preparation process generally involves blending the ingredients into a smooth or chunky consistency, depending on personal preference.

Some habanero hot sauces are cooked or simmered, while others are raw and uncooked. In my recipe, you cook the chilies and other ingredients which helps meld the flavours. The cooking process can help meld the flavours and give the sauce more depth.

You need plastic gloves for this recipe.

Be sure to pick up some plastic kitchen gloves to make this habanero hot sauce. If you do not have gloves, be sure not to touch your eye or any other sensitive bits or you'll be sorry. Wash your hand thoroughly with hot, soapy water and slicing the chilies if not using gloves.

How spicy are habanero chilies?

It's important to note that habanero hot sauce is extremely spicy, and the heat level can vary depending on the number of habanero peppers used and whether the seeds and membranes are included.

The heat of chili peppers is measured on the Scoville Heat Scale, a scale that quantifies the spiciness or heat of peppers and other spicy foods.

The Scoville Heat Scale assigns a numerical value to each chili pepper variety based on the concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the sensation of heat.

Let's compare the heat of popular chilies.

Habanero chilies typically range from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), although some varieties can surpass 350,000 SHU.

For reference, jalapeño peppers, which are considered moderately spicy, have a Scoville rating of around 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. Therefore, habaneros are significantly hotter than jalapeños.

Can you use other chilies for this hot sauce?

Yes. If habanero chilies are too spicy for you, feel free to substitute other, milder chilies. You can also use a combination of different chilies.

How long can you keep the sauce in the fridge?

It is important to keep the sauce in the fridge in an air tight container. It should last for about 3 months but mine rarely lasts that long. I consume it far before that.

Can you freeze habanero hot sauce?

Yes, you can freeze serrano hot sauce. Freezing is a common method to preserve homemade sauces, including hot sauces, for an extended period. However, keep in mind that the texture of the sauce might change slightly after freezing and thawing. Here are some tips for freezing serrano hot sauce:

Cool the Sauce: Allow the hot sauce to cool to room temperature before freezing. This helps prevent condensation inside the container, which can lead to ice crystals and affect the texture.
Choose Freezer-Safe Containers: Use containers or jars specifically designed for freezing. Leave some space at the top of the container to account for expansion as the sauce freezes.
Label and Date: Clearly label the containers with the date and contents so that you can keep track of how long the hot sauce has been in the freezer.
Avoid Glass Containers: If using glass containers, be cautious as liquids expand when frozen, which can lead to glass breakage. Using plastic containers or freezer bags may be a safer option.
Remove Air: If using plastic bags, try to remove as much air as possible before sealing to minimize the risk of freezer burn.
Thawing: When you're ready to use the hot sauce, move it to the refrigerator to thaw slowly. This helps maintain the sauce's consistency better than rapid thawing.
Check the Texture: After thawing, check the texture and consistency of the hot sauce. While freezing may alter the texture slightly, the flavor should remain intact.

Step by step photographs

Ingredients for habanero hot sauce — Get all your ingredients together before starting. Remember to wear gloves when slicing habaneros.

A note about the vinegar.

In the photo above, you will see cider vinegar as an ingredient. I usually use distilled white vinegar when prepareing habanero hot sauce. I prefer it with the distilled vinegar but both will work.

Chopped onion, habanero chilies and garlic. — Roughly chop the chilies, garlic and onion.

Frying the habanero chilies, garlic and onion in olive oil. — Heat the oil over a medium heat and add the chopped chilies and onion/shallots. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes to soften them, stirring occasionally.

Adding the garlic to the pan — Remove the lid and stir in the garlic, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes to soften the garlic. Then add the vinegar and sugar and bring it to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cover the pan and let it all stew for about 10 minutes

Blending the habanero sauce — Take off the heat and allow to cool before placing it all in your blender and blend until smooth.

Pouring the hot sauce into a bottle. — Try the sauce and adjust the flavours. Then store in clean glass jars or bottles until needed.

Who doesn't love a good salsa? You might like to try some of these too!

Pico de Gallo
Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa
Tomatillo and Avocado Salsa
Jalapeño Hot Sauce
Serrano Hot Sauce
Pineapple Salsa
Refried Beans - Not a salsa but so good with corn chips!

You might also like to try Mexican Pickled Carrots which are delicious with any Mexican meal.

Have you tried this habanero hot sauce recipe?

If yes, please give it a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. I love receiving your feedback and I'm sure other readers of my blog do to. Thank you.

Yield: 24