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A close-up shot of a clear bottle filled with vibrant red Cayenne Pepper Sauce, ready to be poured.

Fiery Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce

This vibrant homemade cayenne pepper sauce delivers an intense burst of heat and tangy flavor, perfect for drenching wings, eggs, tacos, or anything that needs a spicy kick.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Course: Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 15

Ingredients
  

For the Hot Sauce
  • 1 lb fresh cayenne peppers stems removed, roughly chopped (wear gloves for handling)
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp sea salt or to taste
  • 1/2 cup water or as needed for desired consistency

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Blender (high-speed recommended)
  • Fine-Mesh Sieve
  • Rubber Spatula
  • Glass Bottles or Jars for Storage

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Carefully wash the fresh cayenne peppers and remove their stems. Roughly chop the peppers. It is highly recommended to wear gloves when handling cayenne peppers to avoid skin irritation.
  2. Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.
Cooking the Sauce Base
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped cayenne peppers, white vinegar, chopped garlic, sea salt, and water. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the cayenne peppers are very soft and easily mashable.
Blending and Straining
  1. Carefully transfer the hot pepper mixture to a blender. Start blending on low speed and gradually increase to high, blending until the sauce is very smooth and uniform. This may take 2-3 minutes. Use caution when blending hot liquids, ensuring the blender lid is securely vented if necessary.
  2. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a clean bowl. Pour the blended sauce through the sieve, using a rubber spatula or spoon to press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining pulp and seeds in the sieve.
Finishing and Storage
  1. Taste the finished Cayenne Pepper Sauce and adjust the salt if necessary. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a tiny bit more water or vinegar and stir.
  2. Allow the sauce to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to clean, sterilized glass bottles or jars. Seal tightly.

Notes

Homemade cayenne pepper sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 months. For an extra layer of flavor and to mellow the heat slightly, you can let the sauce age in the fridge for a week or two before using. Shake well before each use. This sauce is excellent on eggs, fried chicken, roasted vegetables, or as a base for marinades and dressings.