Strawberry hot sauce is a tasty mix of sweet strawberries and spicy peppers. You can make it just how you like it, with the right amount of sweetness and heat. Making your own lets you create a sauce that’s perfect for you, adding a special touch to your cooking.
Strawberry Hot Sauce Ingredients
Strawberries : Fresh strawberries provide the sweet and fruity base, balancing the heat from peppers.
Hot Peppers : Spicy peppers like habaneros, jalapeños, or scotch bonnets add the spicy element.
Garlic : Garlic imparts depth and aroma.
Butter : Butter is used for sautéing ingredients and adding richness.
Red Onion : Red onion offers a savory note to back the berries’ sweetness.
Balsamic Vinegar : Balsamic vinegar contributes acidity and complexity.
Salt : Salt enhances flavors and balances the sweet, spicy components.
Maple Syrup : Some recipes include maple syrup for extra sweetness and depth.
Olive Oil : Olive oil roasts ingredients and adds richness when used for sautéing.
Ingredients
- 1 hot pepper (like Scotch Bonnet)
- 1 1/4 cups strawberry preserves
- 2 tbs. butter
- 4-5 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper
- 1 and 1/3 tbs. balsamic vinegar
- 1 red onion (small/medium) – sliced
- Other seasonings like salt
How I Made Strawberry Hot Sauce
To begin, I prepped the ingredients. I smashed garlic cloves and sliced them to release their flavorful oils. I also sliced hot peppers in half, removing the seeds and membrane where most heat resides. Meanwhile, I trimmed the green tops from strawberries and cut them lengthwise to take out any tough cores.
Next up was the fermentation process. I placed the prepped garlic, peppers, berries and sliced onion into a large jar. Then I created a brine by combining water and fine sea salt at a 5% concentration. This mixture would aid fermentation and impart tanginess. I poured the brine over the jar’s contents, ensuring full submersion. Sealing the jar tightly, I let it ferment for about two weeks to develop flavor.
After that time, I strained the softened fruits and veggies through a sieve, reserving the brine. I blended these items along with white wine vinegar, lime juice and a splash of brine until smooth. Then I added some olive oil to thicken and mellow the sauce.
Finally, I tasted and adjusted seasoning as needed. Pleased with the results, I bottled my homemade strawberry hot sauce for keeping or serving with dishes. The unique sweet-heat flavors were worth the wait!
Some Tasty Ways to Use Strawberry Hot Sauce
Pairings
- Drizzle it over brie or goat cheese for sweet heat.
- Surprisingly, it also makes a fruity-spicy ice cream topping!
Fried Foods
- The sauce pairs wonderfully with onion rings, chicken, or pork chops.
Marinades
- Use it to marinate beef, pork or poultry for infused flavor baking.
Dipping Sauces
- Serve as an accompaniment to wings, fries or veggies.
Sandwiches
- Spread some on sandwiches or wraps for lunchtime zest.
Creative Cooking
- Drizzle on pizza for an original twist on toppings.
- Incorporate into grain bowls or salads for depth and spark.
- Substitute in BBQ sauce for fruit-spicy grilled meats.
More Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry Hot Sauce
Equipment
- Large jar with lid
- Sieve
- Blender
- Bottles for storing
Ingredients
- 1 hot pepper
- 1 1/4 cups strawberry preserves
- 4-5 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper
- 1 and 1/3 tbs balsamic vinegar
- 1 red onion sliced
- other seasonings like salt
Instructions
- Smash and slice the garlic cloves. Halve the hot peppers, remove the seeds and membrane. Trim and slice the green tops from the strawberries, then cut them lengthwise to remove any tough cores.
- Place the prepped garlic, hot peppers, strawberries, and onion slices into a large jar. Create a brine by combining water and fine sea salt at a 5% concentration. Pour the brine over the jar's contents, ensuring everything is fully submerged. Seal the jar tightly and let it ferment for about two weeks to develop flavor.
- Strain the softened fruits and vegetables through a sieve, reserving the brine.
- In a blender, combine the strained fruits and vegetables with white wine vinegar, lime juice, and a splash of the reserved brine. Blend until smooth.
- Add olive oil to the blended mixture to thicken and mellow the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Pour the homemade strawberry hot sauce into bottles for storing or serving with dishes. The unique sweet-heat flavors are worth the wait!