This easy Jalapeño Sauce is one of those sauces that you want to put on everything. It's not for the faint-hearted, as it has a serious kick to it. But, if you are serious about your chilli sauces, then you should try this homemade version. Dip tortilla chips in it, or drizzle it over tacos - this sauce has so many uses.
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This vibrant green chilli sauce makes a delicious dip or sauce to add to your meals and it would definitely get your guests talking at a dinner party.
Jalapeños are far from the spiciest chilli out there, but this is still a pretty spicy sauce because of the amount of peppers we have packed into it. We grew our own jalapeños this summer and because we had so many of them, we were always making this sauce so none went to waste.
Just 7 ingredients, this is such a quick and easy homemade sauce to make and it tastes SO much better than store bought. If you are looking for some other way to use jalapeños, then why not try our Loaded Chicken Nachos, or Mexican Pasta Salad.
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Why You Will Love It
- Easy to make - Once you have cooked the chillies and shallots, you just blend everything together.
- Stores well - This is a fresh sauce, so it doesn't store quite as long as a store bought sauce, but it does keep well.
- Adaptable - We love our chilli sauce HOT! But if you don't like it that hot, then you can use less chillies.
- Just a few ingredients - Once you buy the fresh a jalapeñoes, you probably have all the rest of ingredients that you need to make this jalapeño sauce.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Olive oil - This is what the jalapeñoes and the shallots are cooked in.
- Jalapeños - This is the star of the sauce. Always use fresh jalapeños here. If you want the sauce to be less spicy, then remove the seeds from them.
- Shallots - These add a nice sweetness to the sauce.
- Salt - Season to taste
- Garlic - Fresh is always best, but you can use frozen to save some time.
- Water - This is what loosens the sauce up.
- Vinegar - We used white wine vinegar, and because it is an acid it allows it to be stored for longer. It also adds flavour.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Jalapeño Sauce
Step 1
Slice up all the jalapeños.
Step 2
Heat the oil in a pan and add the shallots, garlic and jalapeños and gently cook for 3 minutes.
Step 3
Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 4
Allow the mixture to cool and then pour into a food processor.
Step 5
Blend until smooth.
How to Use Jalapeño Sauce
Just try and stop yourself from eating it with a spoon! But for those of you that don't love chilli sauce quite that much, then there is SO much that you can do with this sauce.
It makes a great dip for some tortilla chips and you will feel the full effect of the spice that way. Why not try our Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.
It's great drizzled over tacos and enchiladas or even vegetables to liven them up a little. Oh, and on burgers, or stirred into mac and cheese. SO much that you can do with it. Here are some Mexican recipes that it goes perfectly with:
Storage
Store: This sauce will keep in an air tight container for around 5 days for maximum freshness. If you won't be able to get through all this in that amount of time, then you can always adjust the quantities. This makes a nice batch size to serve as a dip at a party.
Freeze: We don't recommend freezing this sauce.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Add some extra flavour to this sauce by throwing some fresh coriander (cilantro) into the food processor just before blending.
- If you love a creamy dip, then add a couple of spoonfuls of this to some sour cream of Greek yogurt - it will be a much milder dip.
- If you want all of the flavour from the jalapeños, but not as much of the spice, then de-seed the jalapeños first.
- Add a little bit more of fresh flavour to this chilli sauce with a squeeze of lime juice in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want a creamy jalapeno sauce, then take a few tablespoons of this and stir it through some sour cream or Greek yogurt. It makes it a much milder sauce, bumps up the calories somewhat, and makes it non-vegan (unless you use a vegan alternative).
This is pretty spicy, which is how we like it. To make it less spicy, you can either use less chillies, or remove the seeds from the chillies.
We like it to be a drizzly sauce consistency. However, if you want a thicker sauce, then you can just use less water.
Yes, you don't have to use jalapeños. It will work with something like habaneros too, although the spice levels will vary.
More Sauce Recipes
If you've tried this jalapeño hot sauce recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Jalapeño Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 8 Jalapeños
- 3 Shallots - peeled and finely diced
- 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 200 ml (0.75 cups) Water
- 100 ml (0.5 cups) White wine vinegar
Instructions
- Slice up 8 Jalapeños.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a pan and add 3 Shallots, 2 Garlic clove and the sliced jalapeños and gently cook for 3 minutes.
- Add 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt, 200 ml Water and 100 ml White wine vinegar and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Allow the mixture to cool and then pour into a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Recipe Tips
- Add some extra flavour to this sauce by throwing some fresh coriander in to the food processor just before blending.
- If you love a creamy dip, then add a couple of spoonfuls of this to some sour cream of Greek yogurt - it will be a much milder dip.
- If you want all of the flavour from the jalapeños, but not as much of the spice, then de-seed the jalapeños first.
- Add a little bit more of fresh flavour to this chilli sauce with a squeeze of lime juice in it.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Noelle says
Jalapeno flavor is my absolte favorite! This would be perfect for chips or I might even try to put some on my eggs :)
Demeter says
This really packs a punch of flavor! I love spicy things and this was perfection.
Jen says
Love the idea of adding it to some sour cream. I'm so ready to start dipping!
Danielle Wolter says
look at those beautiful jalapenos! i'll bet this sauce is just incredible. I can imagine all the things it would be great on!
Julie Wallace says
Delicious! I adore jalapenos (obviously, I partially named my blog after them, lol). This seems like a fantastic way to use them up if you have too many sitting around - especially for home gardeners. I'll definitely join you with the spoon!
Jessica Formicola says
I made this for taco Tuesday yesterday, and it was a hit! Can't wait to make it again!
Andrea Metlika says
My family loves spicy things and this will be one of their favorites.
Jacqueline Debono says
How great to grow your own jalapenos! I should try growing them. Here in Italy I can only find them in jars and I love the taste. Need to find some seeds and grow some jalapenos so I can make this sauce!
Tisha says
I am a HUGE fan of Jalapenos! This is definitely going into my go-to recipes!
Tawnie Kroll says
I cant wait to make this!
Natalie says
Oh wow this looks fantastic + it's super easy to make at home. I must give it a try. I never done it homemade. I always buy this in stores. but homemade is so much better, right?
Meghna says
Fresh Jalapenos can be the best thing ever & your sauce looks damn delicious, look at that gorgeous color! Thanks for the share.
Kristen says
Oh yum. This is such a great way to mix it up, instead of just plain salsa all the time. My husband loves the spice and so do I, just in lesser quantities!
Marie says
My husband is a fan of spicy foods. He would love this jalapeno sauce. It's great how versatile this sauce is too. Great idea to stir into mac and cheese.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
We are not afraid of spice in this house, so you are preaching to the choir with this stunning jalapeno sauce. I can just imagine it on my tacos, eggs and to spice up all manner of casserole or soup! Perfection!