Hey there, hot sauce lovers! Today, I’m excited to share a killer recipe for fresh cayenne hot sauce made from homegrown cayenne peppers. That’s right—I grew these beauties myself, so I know just how fiery and flavorful they are! If you’re into sauces with a kick and love adding a homemade touch to your meals, this one’s for you.

This hot sauce has a bold cayenne flavor with a little smokiness from paprika, some savory notes from garlic and onion, and the tangy punch of vinegar. It’s simple, but trust me, the taste is next level.

Ingredients In Cayenne Hot Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need to make this fiery goodness:

Fresh cayenne peppers, stems removed
Red onion
Garlic cloves
White vinegar
Smoked paprika
Sea salt

Pile of Cayenne Peppers with Onions and Spices — Cayenne Peppers for Making Cayenne Hot Sauce

Recipe Substitutions And Notes

Adjust the Heat: If you like a milder sauce, consider adding more red onion or even a bit of tomato to the mix. For extra fire, toss in a couple of habaneros or jalapeños.
Add Sweetness: A touch of honey or brown sugar can balance the heat if you’re looking for a sweet-and-spicy profile. Start with just a small amount and taste as you go.
Play with Smokiness: If you’re a fan of smoky flavors, try adding a little more smoked paprika or even a hint of liquid smoke.
Swap the Peppers: Don’t have cayennes? Red jalapeños or serranos make great substitutions, though the flavor and heat will vary a bit.
Try Other Spices: A dash of cumin or oregano can add a deeper, earthy flavor if you’re looking for a unique twist.
Add Fresh Herbs: A few sprigs of cilantro or a hint of basil could add some interesting, garden-fresh flavors.

Step by Step Instructions For Cayenne Hot Sauce

Prep the Peppers and Ingredients: Start by washing your cayenne peppers and removing the stems. Be careful—cayenne peppers can be hot, so you might want to wear gloves if you’re sensitive!
Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the cayenne peppers, red onion, garlic, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Blend until everything is finely chopped and looks like a spicy red pepper paste.
Cook the Sauce: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan, then add the white vinegar. Give it a stir to mix everything together. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil, which helps infuse all the flavors.
Simmer for Flavor: Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This lets all the flavors meld together and gives the vinegar a chance to mellow out a bit.
Blend Again for Smoothness: After simmering, remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool down a little. Then, pour it back into the blender and blend until it’s perfectly smooth.
Bottle It Up: Transfer your hot sauce to a sealable jar or bottle. Store it in the fridge, where it’ll stay fresh for weeks (if it even lasts that long!).

Georgie’s Tips

Protect Yourself: Wear some kind of protective gloves and do NOT touch your face.
Using Dehydrated Peppers? If you have dehydrated peppers, you can place them into a skillet and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and then cover and let sit for 10 minutes. This rehydrates them so they will incorporate into the sauce when you blend it.
Strain for Smoothness: For an extra-smooth hot sauce, you can strain it after the final blend to remove any pulp or seeds. This will give you a sauce that pours beautifully.

Fresh Cayenne Hot Sauce with Bottle — Fresh Cayenne Hot Sauce

This homemade cayenne hot sauce is one of those recipes that’ll keep you coming back for more, whether you’re drizzling it on tacos, adding it to marinades, or mixing it into dips. Give it a try, and let the garden-grown flavors bring some serious heat to your table!

Recipes That Use Hot Sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

White vinegar gives that classic hot sauce tang, but you can swap it for apple cider vinegar if you prefer a slightly sweeter, fruity finish.

It’s got some heat, for sure! Fresh cayenne peppers are naturally spicy, but the vinegar and other ingredients help balance it out. If you want it milder, you can use fewer cayennes or add more red onion.

Yes, though fresh is best for flavor! If you’re using dried, rehydrate them by soaking in hot water for about 15 minutes before blending.

Absolutely! It’s naturally gluten-free, just like many traditional hot sauces.

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Fresh Cayenne Hot Sauce

Fresh, tangy cayenne hot sauce with the perfect kick! Bold spice, garlic, and a smoky touch—perfect for adding heat to tacos, eggs, grilled meats, and more.

5 from 1 vote

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Total Time 50

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 24 kcal

Ingredients

6 oz fresh cayenne peppers (stems removed)
¼ red onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Add everything but the white vinegar to the blender and blend until everything is all chopped up.
Transfer everything to a saucepan. Add the vinegar and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool before returning it to the blender and blending again until smooth.
Store the hot sauce in a sealable jar or bottle in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 24kcal

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