Description
This smoky Mexican hot sauce delivers authentic chile de árbol flavor with a perfect balance of heat and smokiness. Made with toasted chiles and charred vegetables, this homemade Mexican hot sauce is incredibly easy to make and adds incredible depth to any dish. The traditional toasting technique unlocks complex flavors that you simply can’t get from store-bought versions.
Ingredients
- 15–20 dried chile de árbol peppers (adjust for desired heat level)
- 4 large Roma tomatoes (ripe and firm)
- 4–5 fresh garlic cloves
- 1 medium white onion (quartered)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup warm water (to control consistency)
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Optional: 1/4 cup fresh cilantro for extra flavor
Instructions
- Toast the chiles: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add chile de árbol peppers and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant and slightly darkened. Don’t let them burn.
- Char the vegetables: In the same skillet, char the tomatoes on all sides until blistered, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic cloves and quartered onion, roasting until they develop char marks, about 5-7 minutes.
- Blend the sauce: Transfer all toasted chiles and charred vegetables to a high-speed blender. Add salt, vegetable oil, and white vinegar. Start with 1/4 cup warm water and blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth.
- Adjust consistency: Add more water gradually if needed for desired consistency. The sauce should be smooth but not watery.
- Simmer to perfection: Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld together.
- Cool and store: Let cool completely before transferring to glass jars. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Heat Level Tips: For milder sauce, use 8-10 chiles and remove seeds. For extra spicy, use 20+ chiles with all seeds included.
Storage: This smoky Mexican hot sauce keeps fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Serving Suggestions: Perfect for tacos, grilled meats, eggs, or as a dipping sauce. Mix with cream cheese for an amazing party dip.
Pro Tip: The flavor actually improves after 24 hours as the spices meld together. Don’t skip the toasting step – it’s crucial for authentic flavor!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: smoky mexican hot sauce, chile de arbol salsa, homemade mexican hot sauce, authentic mexican hot sauce, spicy mexican sauce, mexican condiment, hot sauce recipe, chile de arbol recipe