Jamaican-Style Hot Sauce
If you love bold, fiery flavors, this homemade Jamaican-style hot sauce will become a kitchen staple. Made with fresh scotch bonnet peppers, onions, scallions, thyme, garlic, red bell pepper, and pimento, this sauce captures the authentic taste of Jamaica in every drop. Apple cider vinegar balances the heat with tang, while adobo and complete seasoning give it a savory, well-rounded flavor. The best part? It’s easy to make at home—simply sauté the ingredients, blend until smooth, and enjoy a fresh, vibrant hot sauce that pairs perfectly with jerk chicken, seafood, stews, and more. This recipe is preservative-free, customizable to your spice level, and guaranteed to bring island heat to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion , roughly chopped
- 4-6 scotch bonnet peppers , stemmed and chopped (adjust for heat preference)
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 stalks scallions , chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper , chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tsp pimento (allspice) berries (or ½ tsp ground allspice)
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp adobo seasoning
- ½ tsp complete seasoning
- 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil (for sautéing)
- Optional: 1–2 tsp sugar or honey if you want to balance the heat
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients:
- Wash all vegetables. Chop onions, bell pepper, scallions, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers.
Sauté Aromatics:
- Heat 1–2 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, scallions, and red bell pepper. Cook 3–5 minutes until softened.
- Add Herbs and Peppers:
- Add thyme, pimento, and scotch bonnet peppers. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Season and Add Vinegar:
- Stir in salt, black pepper, adobo, complete seasoning, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
Blend:
- Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Adjust consistency with water if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Bottle and Store:
- Pour into sterilized jars or bottles. Refrigerate for up to 2–3 weeks.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Making your own Jamaican-style hot sauce at home is a rewarding experience. Not only do you get to control the ingredients, heat, and flavor, but you also create a sauce that’s fresher and more vibrant than anything you can buy on a shelf. Whether you’re drizzling it on your favorite meals, using it as a marinade, or sharing it with friends, this sauce is guaranteed to bring a taste of Jamaica into your kitchen.
Nutrition
Serving: 4gCalories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 214mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1147IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg
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