Fermented hot sauce is a spicy condiment made by fermenting chillies and other ingredients, such as garlic and onions, over a period of time. This fermentation process, driven by beneficial bacteria, enhances the flavors and adds a tangy complexity to the heat of the chillies. The natural fermentation not only intensifies the taste but also creates a probiotic-rich sauce, offering potential health benefits such as improved digestion. Fermented hot sauce is versatile, adding depth and spice to a variety of dishes, from tacos to marinades.
Our 1L Fermentation Jars are perfect for making fermented hot sauce and are available now in our store. Click here to explore!
Ingredients:
- 450g hot chillies (such as jalapeños, habaneros, or a mix)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 25g pink himalayan rock salt
- 1 L water (chlorine-free, if possible)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar (to feed fermentation)
- Optional: Additional spices like cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika for flavor variation
Method
1: Prepare the Chillies
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from the heat of the chillies. Remove stems from the chillies and chop them roughly.
2: Create Brine
- Add 1L of water to a separate bowel. Add 25g of pink Himalayan rock salt and stir until the salt has dissolved.
3: Combine Ingredients
- Transfer the chopped chillies, garlic & onion to your fermentation jar. Add the brine mixture until all the ingredients are completely submerged in brine. Stir well to combine.
4: Fermentation
- Seal the jar with the self-burping airlock and steel ring. Place the jar in a dark place, ideally around 65-75°F (18-24°C), to ferment.
- Give the fermentation jar a gentle shake daily to help release Carbon Dioxide. Come back in 2-3 weeks after the fermentation process is complete.
5: Blend Ingredients
- After 2-3 weeks, separate the brine from the ingredients using a fine-mesh sieve. Using a blender, combine the chopped chillies, garlic, onion and optional spices. Blend until smooth.
6: Simmer the sauce
- Transfer the blended ingredients to a pot or saucepan and gently simmer over low heat for 10-20 minutes. Adjust the consistency of your hot sauce by gradually incorporating small amounts of the brine as needed. Adjust to achieve your desired thickness. Simmering the hot sauce not only stops the fermentation process but also enhances the flavors of any optional spices you've added.
How to Store Fermented hot sauce
Transfer hot sauce into clean, sterilized bottles or jars with airtight lids. Store the bottled hot sauce in the refrigerator to slow down fermentation and preserve its flavor. It's recommended that you test the pH level of your hot sauce to ensure it’s shelf stability. A pH reading of 3.4 or lower is optimal, though many commercial operations accept levels of 4.2 or lower.
What to do with Fermented Hot Sauce
- Enhance Flavor: Add hot sauce to dishes like tacos, eggs, soups, or marinades to impart a spicy kick and enhance overall flavor.
- Dip and Condiment: Use hot sauce as a dipping sauce for snacks like chicken wings, fries, or vegetables, or as a condiment on burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas.
- Mix in Recipes: Incorporate hot sauce into recipes for sauces, dressings, or spreads to elevate the heat level and add complexity to your culinary creations.
Benefits of Fermented Hot Sauce
Fermented hot sauce offers several health benefits beyond its fiery flavor. Packed with probiotics due to the fermentation process, it supports gut health by promoting a diverse microbiome and aiding digestion. These beneficial bacteria, like lactobacillus, help maintain a balanced gut flora, potentially reducing inflammation and bolstering the immune system. Additionally, fermented hot sauce retains the nutritional benefits of its base ingredients, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds from hot peppers and spices. Its tangy, complex flavor profile adds depth to dishes while the fermentation process enhances the bioavailability of nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb. Incorporating fermented hot sauce into meals not only elevates taste but also contributes to overall well-being through its probiotic content and nutritional value.