Hot sauce pretty much goes hand-in-hand with traditional Mexican culture food; from burritos and tacos to quesadillas and even chopped salads, the right hot sauce can add a nice kick that takes the flavors of the dish to the next level. However, store-bought hot sauce just never tastes the same as it does at your favorite restaurant, does it? Not to worry. We’ve got a couple delicious hot sauce recipes that you can whip up at home with a little bit of time and basic ingredients.

Jalepeño Hot Sauce

If you can’t get enough when it comes to hot and spicy foods, we recommend this jalepeño hot sauce recipe. It’s great on everything from Mexican food to pizza and even some sandwiches. Just be sure to taste it as you go along to ensure that it’s not too hot or spicy for your tastes! Remember, you can always adjust the amount of jalepeños you use to suit your preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you need:

• 20 fresh jalepeño peppers, sliced and seeded
• three cloves of minced garlic
• a half cup of minced onion
• a pinch of salt
• two cups of water
• one cup of white vinegar
• a teaspoon of vegetable oil

Over high heat in a sauce pan, mix together the peppers, garlic, onion, oil, and salt. Heat for a few minutes before adding the water and cooking for another 20 minutes, being sure to stir as you go. Then, remove from heat and allow to cool before pouring the mixture into a food processor and pureeing until the texture is nice and smoth. Add the vinegar and pour into a jar, which should keep for several months in the refrigerator.

Mexican Hot Sauce

What about that hot sauce you get from your favorite Mexican place but can never seem to find a similar version of in stores? This is it. This authentic Mexican hot sauce recipe will be your new go-to any night you’re making tacos, quesadillas, burritos, or anything in between. Understand that this recipe does take some time to make properly, but it will also yield a large amount of sauce that should last you for awhile to come. Ingredients needed are as follows:

• two dried chiles of your choosing
• two dried New Mexico chile pods
• two cloves of minced garlic
• a cup and a half of warm water
• a teaspoon white vinegar
• a teaspoon of brown sugar
• a teaspoon of ground cumin
• a pinch of salt

Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat, then toast the dried chiles until they’ve just started to slightly brown (be careful not to burn them). Move them into a small bowl and then pour the warm water over them, allowing them to sit for about an hour. Remove the chiles and use a spoon to scoop the pulp out of them, which can then be placed in a food processor, along with the water. Once pureed, add the remaining spices and other ingredients (including vinegar) before mixing until smooth. Enjoy!

Of course, for the best Mexican hot sauce with none of the work involved, you can always drop by Macayo’s. Be sure to check out our new drink menu while you’re here!