The Best Homemade Hot Sauce Recipe You’ll Ever Try

For those who love a spicy kick, a good hot sauce is essential to elevate any dish. Today, you will learn how to make the most flavorful homemade hot sauce. Let’s get to the recipe!

Ingredients for Homemade Hot Sauce:

• 1 cup white wine;
• ½ cup water;
• 1 teaspoon salt;
• ½ tablespoon sugar;
• 2 bay leaves;
• 1 cinnamon stick;
• 2 whole cloves;
• 28 Fresno peppers (or red chili peppers);
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil;
• ½ onion, sliced;
• 1 large garlic clove, minced.

How to Make Homemade Hot Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the white wine, water, sugar, salt, bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon stick;
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat;
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes to infuse the flavors;
4. Remove from heat, transfer the liquid to a pitcher, and set aside;
5. Prepare the vegetables: thinly slice the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the peppers in half lengthwise (discard the stems and seeds);
6. Return the pan to the stove with the olive oil. Add the onion, season with a pinch of salt, and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened;
7. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute;
8. Add the peppers and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour the infused liquid into the pan through a sieve to remove the spices;
9. Mix well and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender;
10. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to a blender and process until smooth (be careful when opening the blender, as the spicy steam can be intense);
11. Finally, strain the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, using a spoon to press out as much liquid as possible;
12. Transfer to a clean, airtight glass jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Pro Tip:

If you prefer an extra punch, add a few drops of white vinegar or fresh lime juice to the finished sauce; the acidity perfectly enhances the pepper’s natural heat.

Did You Know?

The world’s hottest hot sauce is known as “The Last Dab XXX,” made popular by the show “Hot Ones.” It features the “Pepper X,” developed by Smokin’ Ed Currie. It clocks in at over 3 million on the Scoville heat scale, making it roughly 10 times hotter than the Carolina Reaper, the previous record holder.

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