Brazilian Cuisine
Homemade Molho de Pimenta
Molho de pimenta is a traditional Brazilian hot pepper sauce that is an essential accompaniment to meats, bean dishes like feijoada, and various street food items. The intense heat of fresh chili peppers is balanced by the tangy sharpness of vinegar, savory garlic, and a touch of vegetable oil. The resulting sauce is thin yet incredibly flavorful, offering a clean, sharp heat and a deep aroma. It cuts perfectly through rich, fatty meats and adds a vibrant Brazilian spark to any meal.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 15 min
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cooking
- 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 45 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Wash the peppers, dry them, cut off the green stems, and chop…
Wash the peppers, dry them, cut off the green stems, and chop them into large pieces with the seeds for authentic heat.
- 02
Peel the garlic cloves and slice them in half to release thei…
Peel the garlic cloves and slice them in half to release their essential oils into the liquid base.
- 03
Place the peppers, garlic, vinegar, water, vegetable oil, sug…
Place the peppers, garlic, vinegar, water, vegetable oil, sugar, and salt into a blender bowl.
- 04
Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes relatively smoo…
Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes relatively smooth with no large chunks remaining.
- 05
Pour into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and cook on low heat…
Pour into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, and cook on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- 06
Remove from heat, let the sauce cool completely at room tempe…
Remove from heat, let the sauce cool completely at room temperature, and transfer to a clean glass container.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
Always wear culinary gloves when handling hot peppers to protect your skin and prevent accidental contact with your eyes.
How to serve
Serve in small condiment bowls alongside grilled meats, pastel pastries, or add a few drops directly into bean stews.
How to store
Store the sauce in a clean glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator; the vinegar ensures it keeps its vibrant flavor for a long time.
Note
To reduce the heat level, discard the seeds and internal white ribs from the peppers before blending.
