Have a taste for a little extra spice? Try this top-notch homemade peri peri sauce recipe and experiment with different flavor profiles.
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🌶️ What is Peri Peri Sauce?
Peri peri sauce, also known as piri piri sauce, is a complex and versatile hot sauce made from African bird's eye chiles, which are native to Mozambique. These small red chilies are also known by the name pili-pili. Peri peri is a complex and versatile sauce with roots in Africa, by way of Portuguese settlers.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make.
- Can be used many different ways.
- Medium spicy. A perfect fit for true hot sauce lovers!
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free and free of added sugar.
📓 Ingredient Notes
Peri Peri Chiles: You can use dried or fresh peri-peri chiles (African bird's eye chilies) in this recipe. Dried chiles come out slightly spicier and smokier, and fresh chiles offer just that -- a fresher flavor.
Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves greatly complement these particular chili peppers and I do not recommend omitting them.
Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil will adds flavor and texture to this delicious sauce.
Lemon Juice: The acidity of lemon really adds additional flavor to the sauce mixture, while also cutting some of the heat.
Fresh Cilantro: Cilantro really adds some complexity and freshness to the flavor notes and I do not recommend omitting it.
Salt: A half teaspoon salt is just enough to enhance all flavors in this recipe.
🥣 Instructions
- If using dried chiles, you will soak them in boiling water prior to using. If using fresh chiles, you will skip this step.
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
- Enjoy!
🍴How to Use Peri Peri Sauce
Salad: Mix one part perr-peri sauce with one part mayo or yogurt for a delicious salad dressing recipe.
Marinades: Peri peri sauce makes a wonderful marinade for vegetables, tofu, tempeh and more.
Dipping: Peri peri sauce makes a great dipping sauce for french fries and other fried foods.
Drizzle: Over roasted veggies, burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, wraps -- you name it!
❓FAQ
African.
Peri peri sauce has a medium level of heat.
No. The African bird's eye chile and Thai bird's eye chili have a lot of similarities, but are not the same chili pepper.
Keep peri peri sauce stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
💭 Top Tip
The quality of the peri-peri chiles and the olive oil can greatly impact the taste and quality of this hot sauce. If you are able, indulge in organic chiles and organic cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil for best results.
📗 Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners
Turn up the heat on any dish with homemade hot sauce!
Nearly every corner of the planet has its own beloved hot sauce. This beginner-friendly hot sauce cookbook has everything you need to start making classic hot sauces and regional favorites from scratch. What sets this hot sauce recipe book apart:
- Intro to hot sauces—Learn the fundamentals for making homemade hot sauces, the fermented and non-fermented methods, and what you need to know about chiles—from tame poblanos to scorching habañeros.
- Stocking the saucy kitchen—Discover the must-have staples you should stock in your pantry along with the equipment you’ll need and tips for preserving and storing your creations.
- Regional flavors—Go on a heated world tour with recipes divided by regions and explore different palates and spice profiles. Plus you’ll find more than a dozen recipes for cooking with hot sauces you made.
Spice it up in the kitchen with the easy-to-make recipes in the hot sauce cookbook, including this amazing peri-peri sauce!
🔥 More Delicious Hot Sauce Recipes
📖 Recipe
Amazing Homemade Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 dried peri peri chiles or 10 fresh
- 4 garlic cloves
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, cover the chiles with boiling water and let sit for 10 minutes (skip this step if using fresh chiles).
- Drain the chiles, then transfer to a blender or food processor. Add the garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro and salt. Blend until smooth, leaving a vent to allow steam to escape.
- Enjoy right away or keep stored in the fridge for up to one month. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Toni says
This is seriously amazing!! Homemade sauces are the best!
Kristen Wood says
I couldn't agree more. I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Michelle says
This was a such a delicious and easy recipe! It went perfect with my dinner meal. So good!
Janessa says
We make your peri peri sauce so often! I especially love dipping my fries in it.
Farah says
I ALWAYS have a bottle of peri peri in the fridge, but love the idea of a homemade version. Less preservatives and much more budget friendly. Thanks so much!
Kristen Wood says
So happy you enjoy it! Thank you for taking the time to share here. 🙂
Ieva says
I just love your sauce, but I've not made this one before! And I am now so glad I tried this recipe cause it may just be my favourite (alongside your Barbados and Louisiana-style sauces)! Soooo good!
Tara says
I love how easy this spicy sauce is! So versatile, too!
Mairead says
Peri peri sauce is a favorite in my home. Thank you for such a detailed tutorial and information about the origins of this tasty sauce.
Dionne says
I could use this sauce with so many of my favorite dishes. Yum!
Andrea says
This homemade peri peri sauce sounds fantastic. It pairs perfectly with my grilled chicken or steak.
Laressa says
love this marinade for chicken skewers. thanks for sharing!
Farah Maizar says
Love peri peri sauce how cool that it's so easy to make at home! Thanks for this recipe! So excited to try it out
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
We love to barbecue so this will be perfect to keep in the fridge and have with grilled meats.
veenaazmanov says
Would love to have some in my Kitchen. This is a must try recipe. Flavorful and perfect for my recipes.
Liz says
Ok I want to put this sauce on everything! Such a good recipe and perfect for anything from burgers to veggies!
Anita says
We love a good peri-peri sauce, and yours is easy and delicious. It's simply the best with some fried/roast chicken.
Sharon says
I love spicy sauces that I can add to dishes to make them full of flavor! This one is a winner.
Alison says
I enjoy adding a little kick to my recipes, and this sauce definitely brings the heat! It was very simple to make, and pairs nicely with so many different types of recipes!
Catherine says
I have never had this sauce before believe it or not but as a lover of all things spicy I cannot wait to give it a try! Looks absolutely delicious...love that bright color! Can't wait to make this!
Mirlene says
Love this spicy sauce. My family loves this. It's great with seafood such as fishes and shrimps.
Jyoti Behrani says
We love spicy food. This sauce had a perfect balance of flavors and spice. Thanks for sharing!
Jess says
Gimme all the spice! I love it!
Heather says
I love a good sauce and this sauce looks so flavorful! Going to make some and use as chicken marinade and then save some for french fry dipping 😉
Elaine says
I love spicy sauces, and this one is just my absolute favorite. I love the consistency a lot!
Anjali says
This sauce sounds so flavorful and I love how bright and vibrant it is! Can't wait to whip up a batch and use it in a variety of recipes!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!!
Tara says
Oh wow! I love all the flavors in this homemade sauce and how easily it comes together. So good with the chiles!
Vanessa says
I love peri peri sauce with chicken but never thought of making it myself before. It's so good and I love knowing that there are only real ingredients in it!
veenaazmanov says
This sauce sounds spicy and bursting with flavors. Would love to stock some in my kitchen and get going with some amazing recipes.
Cathleen says
No way!! I buy peri peri sauce at least once a month, and I never even thought at ALL of making it myself at home!! Bookmarked for when my bottle is done (which will be very soon!!)
Natalie says
I love Peri Pero sauce and never thought it could be made at home. Looks so delicious and easy!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!
Tayler Ross says
I love spice, so this sauce is perfect for me! So full of flavor and delicious!
Saif says
Looks good. Although I never tried peri peri sauce, but when it comes to hot sauce, I will definitely love it.
Holley says
I LOVE peri peri sauce!!! Always looking for a great recipe and found it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sara says
Loved this recipe, great flavour in the sauce and so simple to make!
Kristen Wood says
So happy to hear! Thank you for sharing. 🙂