Description
This vibrant Pineapple Habanero Hot Sauce combines the sweetness of fresh pineapple with the fiery kick of habanero peppers, balanced by aromatic garlic, tangy apple cider vinegar, and a touch of honey. Perfect as a spicy condiment to elevate your meals, this vegan and Caribbean-inspired sauce is easy to prepare on the stovetop and develops deeper flavors after a day of resting in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
- 4–5 habanero peppers, stemmed and seeded for less heat
- 1/2 cup white onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
Liquids & Oils
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sweeteners & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil, then add the chopped onion and peeled garlic cloves. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant, creating a flavorful base.
- Add Pineapple and Peppers: Stir in the diced fresh pineapple and stemmed, seeded habanero peppers. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the fruits to release juices and meld flavors.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the apple cider vinegar, water, lime juice, honey, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook gently for 10 minutes to soften the pineapple further and blend all the flavors together.
- Blend to Smooth: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Add a little more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Store and Develop Flavor: Pour the finished hot sauce into a clean glass bottle or jar. Refrigerate and allow the sauce to rest for at least 24 hours before serving to deepen the flavor profile.
Notes
- For a milder sauce, reduce the number of habanero peppers or remove all seeds and membranes to lower the heat.
- If fresh pineapple isn’t available, canned pineapple in juice can be used as a convenient substitute.
- Always wear gloves when handling habanero peppers to avoid skin irritation.
