Spice up your meals with a homemade peri peri sauce that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dishes to a whole new level of flavor! Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast looking to add some heat to your recipes or simply want to explore the world of homemade condiments, this blog is for you.
Today, we’ll walk you through the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips to create your very own delicious peri peri sauce right in your kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this zesty and versatile sauce that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, vegetables, or even drizzled over your favorite snacks. Let’s dive into the world of peri peri and unleash the chef in you!
What is Peri Peri Sauce Made of?
Peri peri sauce is known for its vibrant flavor and heat, primarily derived from the African bird’s eye chili. Here are the key ingredients typically used to make peri peri sauce:
Red Onions 2
Red onions add a mild, sweet flavor to peri peri sauce. They balance the heat of the chili peppers and enhance the overall taste with their slight tang and crunch, contributing to the sauce’s depth.
Garlic Cloves 1
Garlic adds a savory, aromatic flavor to peri peri sauce. It complements the heat of the chilies, giving the sauce a rich, robust taste. Garlic also helps to enhance the overall depth of flavor.
African Bird’s Eye Chillies 1 Cup
African Bird’s Eye chilies are small, fiery hot peppers. They provide peri peri sauce with intense heat and a slightly fruity flavor. These chilies are the key ingredient that gives the sauce its signature spice.
Red Bell Peppers Seeds 2
Red bell pepper seeds add a mild, slightly sweet flavor to peri peri sauce. They help to balance the heat from the chilies and contribute to the smooth texture of the sauce without overwhelming it.
Ripe Tomatoes 3
Tomatoes add a rich, tangy flavor to peri peri sauce. They help balance the heat from the chilies and contribute to the sauce’s smooth, slightly sweet texture, enhancing its overall taste and consistency.
Olive Oil 4 Tablespoons
Olive oil adds a smooth, rich texture to peri peri sauce. It helps blend the ingredients together and enhances the flavor, providing a subtle, fruity note while also acting as a base for the sauce.
Lemons Juice And Zest 3
Lemon juice and zest add a bright, tangy flavor to peri peri sauce. The juice provides acidity, while the zest contributes a fresh, citrusy aroma, balancing the heat and enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
Red Wine Vinegar 1/3 Cup
Red wine vinegar adds acidity and tang to peri peri sauce. It helps balance the heat of the chilies and enhances the overall flavor, giving the sauce a sharp, slightly fruity kick.
Sugar 2 Tablespoons
Sugar adds a touch of sweetness to peri peri sauce. It helps balance the heat from the chilies and acidity from the vinegar, creating a well-rounded flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients.
Salt 1 Tablespoon
Salt enhances the overall flavor of peri peri sauce. It brings out the natural sweetness of the ingredients, balances the heat from the chilies, and helps to preserve the sauce for longer shelf life.
Cracked Black Pepper 1 Teaspoon
Cracked black pepper adds a mild heat and a hint of spiciness to peri peri sauce. It enhances the depth of flavor, complementing the chilies and balancing the sauce’s overall taste without overpowering it.
Bay Leaves 2
Bay leaves add a subtle, herbal aroma to peri peri sauce. They infuse the sauce with a mild, earthy flavor that enhances the other ingredients, contributing to the overall depth and complexity of the sauce.
Dried Oregano 1 Tablespoon
Dried oregano adds a warm, earthy flavor to peri peri sauce. It complements the heat from the chilies and the tang from the vinegar, enhancing the overall taste with a subtle herbal note.
Smoked Paprika 1 Tablespoon
Smoked paprika adds a rich, smoky flavor to peri peri sauce. It complements the heat from the chilies and gives the sauce a deeper, slightly earthy taste, enhancing its overall complexity and aroma.
How to Make Peri Peri Sauce Spicier or Milder?
- Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender and blend them until they are finely chopped and the mixture is smooth and saucy.
- Put it in a pot and set it on medium heat. Let it cook slowly for 20 minutes. To keep the sauce from burning, stir it every so often.
- After 20 minutes, check the salt and make any changes that are needed.
- It’s important that the sauce has the right amount of spice and the tanginess of lemon and vinegar to go well together.
- Put the mixture in jars or bottles and keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Best Ways to Use Peri Peri Sauce (Beyond Chicken)
Peri Peri sauce isn’t just for chicken! Here are some great ways to use it:
- Grilled Veggies: Toss vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms in peri peri sauce for a spicy, flavorful grill.
- Pasta: Add a bit of peri peri sauce to your pasta sauce for a spicy kick.
- Seafood: Use it as a marinade for shrimp, fish, or prawns to add flavor.
- Sandwiches/Burgers: Spread on buns for extra heat and flavor.
- Rice: Stir into rice for a spicy, savory side dish.
- Eggs: Drizzle on scrambled or fried eggs for a zesty touch.
- Salad Dressing: Mix with olive oil and lemon for a tangy dressing.
- Dips: Blend with yogurt or sour cream for a spicy dip.
Peri peri adds a punch to almost any dish!
Peri Peri Sauce Vs. Hot Sauce: What’s The Difference?
Peri Peri sauce and hot sauce are both spicy condiments, but they differ in ingredients and flavor.
Peri Peri sauce originates from Africa and is made with African bird’s eye chili peppers, garlic, lemon, vinegar, and spices. It has a tangy, savory flavor with a medium to hot spice level.
Hot sauce, on the other hand, is a more general term for spicy sauces made with various chili peppers, vinegar, and sometimes other ingredients like tomatoes or fruit. Its spice level can vary widely, from mild to extremely hot.
While both sauces add heat to dishes, peri peri sauce offers more complexity with its tangy and garlicky taste, whereas hot sauce is typically straightforwardly spicy.
How to Store Homemade Peri Peri Sauce?
To store homemade peri peri sauce, let it cool completely after making it. Transfer the sauce to a clean, airtight glass jar or bottle. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze it in small portions using ice cube trays. When ready to use, simply thaw the sauce. Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination and extend its shelf life. Make sure the jar is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from affecting the sauce.
Peri Peri Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Red Onions
- 1 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Cup African Bird’s Eye Chilies
- 2 Red Bell Peppers Seeds
- 3 Ripe Tomatoes
- 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 Lemons Juice And Zest
- ⅓ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender
- Blend them until they are finely chopped and the mixture is smooth and saucy
- Put it in a pot and set it on medium heat
- Let it cook slowly for 20 minutes
- To keep the sauce from burning, stir it every so often
- After 20 minutes, check the salt and make any changes that are needed
- It's important that the sauce has the right amount of spice and the tanginess of lemon and vinegar to go well together
Nutrition
Final Words
Homemade peri peri sauce adds heat to foods! This adaptable sauce will spice up your foods with a mild or hot kick. You can make your own peri peri sauce at home with simple ingredients and methods. This homemade sauce will bring robust flavor to your dishes. Bring your taste buds on a delicious voyage with homemade peri peri sauce!
