04 September 2026
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THE UNIVERSALGASTRONOMY AUTHORITY
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Serrano Hot Sauce
The Kitchen

Serrano Hot Sauce

Here's an easy method for a wicked batch of Serrano Hot Sauce!

By Test Kitchen · Mexico · 2 min ·
Ingredients · Servings 24
  • 1/2 lb. Serrano peppers (approx. 18-20)
  • 1 Habanero pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 onion
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • juice of 1 lime
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional)
  • 8-10 cilantro sprigs
Method · 10 min
  1. Give the Serranos a good rinse and de-stem them. Be sure to wash your hands after handling them. More tips on handling hot chiles.
  2. Saute a roughly chopped 1/4 onion and 1 whole, peeled garlic clove in a glug of oil over medium heat.
  3. Once the onion is browning you can add 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, some freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional). Briefly cook until fragrant and then add the de-stemmed Serranos, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. You can optionally add a rinsed and de-stemmed Habanero pepper. Bring to a simmer and then add everything to a blender.
  4. Add 8-10 sprigs cilantro and the juice of 1 lime to the blender. Combine well or to your desired consistency. I usually leave it a bit chunky but you can always blend it thinner.
  5. Add mixture to two 5 oz. bottles or a small Mason jar. Store in the fridge where it will keep for weeks at a time.

With a half pound of Serranos you'll get two 5 oz. bottles worth of delicious, fiery hot sauce. Note: instructions not designed for long term canning.

Serrano peppers (approx. 18-20) 1 Habanero pepper (optional) 1/4 onion 1 garlic clove 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water juice of 1 lime freshly cracked black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional) 8-10 cilantro sprigs Method Give the Serranos a good rinse and de-stem them. Be sure to wash your hands after handling them.

Saute a roughly chopped 1/4 onion and 1 whole, peeled garlic clove in a glug of oil over medium heat. Once the onion is browning you can add 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, some freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional).

Briefly cook until fragrant and then add the de-stemmed Serranos, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. You can optionally add a rinsed and de-stemmed Habanero pepper. Bring to a simmer and then add everything to a blender.

Add 8-10 sprigs cilantro and the juice of 1 lime to the blender. I usually leave it a bit chunky but you can always blend it thinner.

Add mixture to two 5 oz. bottles or a small Mason jar. Store in the fridge where it will keep for weeks at a time.

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