Serrano Hot Sauce Recipes

SERRANO HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Give the Serranos a good rinse and de-stem them. Be sure to wash your hands after handling them. More tips on handling hot chiles.
• Saute a roughly chopped 1/4 onion and 1 whole, peeled garlic clove in a glug of oil over medium heat.
• Once the onion is browning you can add 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, some freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional). Briefly cook until fragrant and then add the de-stemmed Serranos, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. You can optionally add a rinsed and de-stemmed Habanero pepper. Bring to a simmer and then add everything to a blender.
• Add 8-10 sprigs cilantro and the juice of 1 lime to the blender. Combine well or to your desired consistency. I usually leave it a bit chunky but you can always blend it thinner.
• Add mixture to two 5 oz. bottles or a small Mason jar. Store in the fridge where it will keep for weeks at a time.

SERRANO HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Place serrano peppers, garlic, and salt in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour the vinegar through the feed tube; process until sauce is smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Pour sauce into a saucepan; bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Pour sauce into a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 day.
• Strain sauce through a fine-mesh strainer; store in the refrigerator.

SPICY SERRANO HOT SAUCE - RECIPE

Steps:

• First, ferment the serrano peppers. Process your fresh peppers in a food processor. If you don't have a processor, use a mortar and pestle or simply rough chop them. Pack them into a jar, leaving at least 1 inch of head space. The peppers may rise a bit when fermenting.
• Next, mix 1 quart unchlorinated water with 3 tablespoons sea salt. Pour just enough brine over the peppers to cover them, pressing them down a bit as you go. Discard or save any remaining brine for another use. It is important to keep the peppers covered with brine to avoid spoilage. Check this daily.
• Screw on the lid and set the jar away from direct sunlight to ferment for at least 1 week. Ideal temperatures are between 55-75 degrees F. The most active fermentation period is between 1-2 weeks, sobe sure to monitor it during this time. "Burp" the jars often by unscrewing the lid a bit to let out some of the accumulating gases. Or, use an airlock or membrane for easier fermenting. See our page, "How to Make Fermented Pepper Mash", for further instruction.
• After 1-2 weeks, the fermenting activity will diminish and the brine will turn cloudy and taste acidic.
• Pour the fermented serrano peppers, including the brine, into a pot along with garlic, vinegar and tequila. Bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. NOTE: If you feel the brine will make your hot sauce too salty, you can strain the peppers and use fresh water instead, just enough to cover the peppers in the pot. Or, use a combination of brine and fresh water.
• Cool slightly then add to a food processor with the lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Strain the mixture to remove the solids, if desired. Pour into hot sauce bottles and enjoy.

SALSA DE SERRANO ROJO (RED SERRANO SAUCE)

Steps:

• Stem serranos, and puree along with garlic in blender until smooth adding water if necessary to maintain puree.
• Press puree through a sieve to remove seed particles.
• Combine 40 oz. serrano puree with all other ingredients in bowl.
• Work in batches back through blender, and strain again.
• Bottle in sprinkle top bottles and refrigerate.

HOMEMADE SPICY HOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut habanero and serrano peppers in half; discard stems and seeds. In a bowl, combine arbol chiles and enough boiling water to cover. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes; drain., Meanwhile, in a well-ventilated area, fill a 6-qt. stockpot three-quarters with water; bring to a boil. Add carrots, onion and garlic. Return to a boil; cook until soft, 20-22 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Add peppers to stockpot; return to a boil. Boil 1 minute; drain. Place water, vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper in a blender. Add vegetables; cover and process until smooth. Return to stockpot; bring to a boil., Carefully ladle mixture into 5 hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.