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This fruity-spicy hot sauce brings island warmth to your meals with just five basic ingredients. The juicy pineapple counteracts the burning habaneros wonderfully, making a go-to sauce that brings life to practically any food.
I came up with this sauce after sampling something like it at an island eatery charging $15 a bottle. My version runs about $3 to whip up and truthfully packs more flavor. Now my folks always expect to find a new batch waiting in the fridge.
Ingredients
- Habanero peppers: Real peppers give that trademark warmth that grows slowly instead of hitting you right away. Go for bright orange ones that feel solid with no mushy parts.
- Fresh pineapple: Pick a ripe one with nice smell at the bottom and yellow-gold skin for best sweetness. Its natural compounds also help soften meats.
- Cilantro: Brings a grassy quality that works with both the fruit and heat. Get bunches showing bright green without any droopy leaves.
- Lime juice: Its tartness works against the sweet and helps your sauce last longer. Press the lime on your counter before squeezing to get more juice out.
- White vinegar: Makes your sauce keep while adding some zing. Plain white vinegar works great since it doesn't bring its own taste.
- Salt: Lifts all the flavors and assists with keeping things fresh. Regular kosher salt melts easily and tastes clean.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get everything ready:
- Pull stems off habaneros while using gloves so the spicy oils don't burn your skin. Take out seeds and inner parts if you want less heat. Cut pineapple into rough chunks about an inch big. Wash cilantro well and pull leaves off stems. Squeeze lime and measure out your vinegar.
- Mix it all up:
- Throw habaneros pineapple cilantro lime juice vinegar and salt in your food processor. Hit pulse a few times then run it steady for about a minute until everything looks smooth without any chunks left. Wipe down the sides if needed.
- Cook to blend tastes:
- Pour the mix into a good pot stainless works nicely. Warm it up slowly stirring now and then so it doesn't stick. Let it bubble gently for exactly 15 minutes this helps marry the flavors and thickens things a bit.
- Let it cool and strain if you want:
- Set aside till fully cooled about half an hour. For smoother sauce push through a fine strainer using a spoon to get all the liquid out. Skip this part if you like some texture in your sauce.
- Pack it up:
- Pour cooled sauce into clean glass bottles or jars with tight lids. Mark the date and keep in fridge. Wait a full day before using so all the flavors can really come together.
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When I first whipped this up I accidentally doubled the habaneros. Instead of wasting it I tried different things and found out it makes an amazing soak for grilled chicken when mixed with a bit of olive oil. These days I make extra spicy batches just for soaking meats every summer.
Heat Level Management
The best thing about making your own hot sauce is adjusting the kick to what you like. Want it milder? Use just 2-3 habaneros and take out all seeds and white parts before mixing. Looking for extreme fire? Go up to 8 peppers and keep the seeds in. Just know that the spiciness grows stronger during the first week in your fridge.
Creative Variations
This starting recipe welcomes trying new things. Add a small piece of peeled ginger for extra warmth and depth. Switch mango for pineapple for a different tropical taste. Put in a spoon of honey or brown sugar for more sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the heat. For smoky flavor cook the pineapple and peppers in the oven first before blending.
Serving Suggestions
This flexible sauce makes tons of foods better beyond just tacos and burritos. Mix a bit into mayo for an exciting sandwich spread. Paint some on grilled fish just before it finishes cooking. Put a few drops in your bloody mary for amazing flavor. I love it most as a dip for coconut shrimp the tropical notes work together perfectly.
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This sauce will add a burst of island heat to your cooking, making every bite something to remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will this pineapple-habanero hot sauce keep in the refrigerator?
When kept in clean, sealed bottles in your fridge, this sauce usually stays good for 2-3 months. The vinegar and lime juice work together as natural preservatives. Just make sure you always dip in with clean spoons for the longest shelf life.
- → Can I adjust the heat level of this hot sauce?
You bet! Want it milder? Just use fewer habaneros or cut out the seeds and white parts before blending. For something way gentler, swap some or all habaneros with milder options like jalapeños. Craving more fire? Toss in extra habaneros or add a couple ghost peppers or Carolina Reapers if you're really brave.
- → Why should I simmer the hot sauce?
Cooking it does a few things: it brings all the flavors together, thickens the sauce a bit, and kills off any unwanted germs to help it last longer. The heat also takes the edge off the raw vinegar and peppers while letting those fruity notes shine through better.
- → What can I use this pineapple-habanero hot sauce on?
This go-anywhere sauce tastes amazing on grilled fish, shrimp tacos, pulled pork, morning eggs, fried rice, and roasted veggies. Those tropical pineapple flavors really shine with Caribbean and Latin American cooking. Try stirring a dab into mayo or sour cream for a kickin' dip, or splash some into your chicken or pork marinade before grilling.
- → Is straining the hot sauce necessary?
It's totally up to you and what texture you want. Straining makes a smoother sauce that pours easily from bottles. Keeping everything in means more fiber, pulp, and possibly stronger flavors, but your sauce will be thicker. Want something in between? Try a bigger-holed strainer that catches the chunky bits but keeps some texture.
- → Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Sure thing! Canned pineapple chunks work fine (go for ones in juice, not syrup). Drain them well first, and if they're packed in juice, you might want to cut back on the vinegar a bit. Fresh pineapple usually tastes brighter, but canned is super convenient and gives you reliable sweetness no matter the season.