Sweet Spicy Pineapple Sauce (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Base Sauce Essentials
01 -
2 cups chopped pineapple (use fresh or drained canned ones)
02 -
4-6 habanero peppers, seeded and without stems
03 -
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or plain white vinegar
04 -
2 tablespoons of squeezed lime juice
05 -
1 tablespoon sugar or honey (optional)
06 -
1/2 teaspoon of salt
07 -
2 garlic cloves, if you'd like
08 -
1 small onion, chopped (optional)
09 -
1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
→ Extra Flavors (Optional)
10 -
1/4 teaspoon of smoky paprika
11 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 -
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
# Instructions:
01 -
Chop fresh pineapple after peeling and removing the core, or just drain canned chunks. Wear gloves and clean out the seeds and stems from the habaneros. Prepare other optional items like garlic or onion if needed.
02 -
Warm up a saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Toss in the chopped onion and cook until it softens, stirring now and then for around 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute or two until it smells amazing.
03 -
Throw pineapple chunks, habaneros, the sautéed ingredients (if you cooked them), vinegar, lime juice, salt, and sweetener into a blender or food processor. Blend till it's smooth, adding some liquid if it's too thick.
04 -
Pour the blended mix into a saucepan and let it simmer gently over medium heat. Stir every so often for 15-20 minutes, letting the flavors combine and the texture thicken a bit. Keep it from boiling too hard so you don’t lose flavors.
05 -
Adjust it to your liking. Mix in a little more sweetener for less spice, extra pineapple or vinegar to balance it, or keep some pepper seeds if you want it hotter.
06 -
Take the pan off the heat and cool the sauce on the side for a bit. Use a funnel to pour it into clean bottles or jars and seal them up tight.
07 -
You can dig in right away or chill it in the fridge to boost the flavor. Drizzle it over meals, dip your snacks, or even use it as a tasty marinade.
# Notes:
01 -
The sauce actually tastes better as it sits and stays good in the fridge for up to 3 months.
02 -
How many habaneros you use just depends on how spicy you like it.
03 -
This spicy-sweet combo goes great with grilled meat, tacos, or Caribbean-inspired dishes.