Go Back

Carolina Reaper Sauce recipe

a glass jar full of homemade Carolina reaper hot sauce - Experience the fiery heat and bold flavor of this Carolina Reaper sauce. Perfect for heat enthusiasts, this delicious hot sauce blends the world’s hottest peppers with garlic, onion, and a touch of smoked paprika. Use it to spice up your favorite dishes or bottle it for a flavorful, long-lasting kick!
Experience the fiery heat and bold flavor of this Carolina Reaper sauce. Perfect for heat enthusiasts, this delicious hot sauce blends the world’s hottest peppers with garlic, onion, and a touch of smoked paprika. Use it to spice up your favorite dishes or bottle it for a flavorful, long-lasting kick!
Munchyesta.com
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Serving Size 10 ounces

Ingredients

Carolina reaper hot sauce recipe Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (225g) Carolina Reaper peppers stems removed - NOTE: go by weight, not size. This was about 18 pods for me, but size varies
  • 1 large bulb garlic top sliced open to expose most of the garlic
  • 1 medium white onion sliced in half (or red onion)
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) good quality vinegar (distilled white, or apple cider vinegar for more tangy flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon (3g) salt or more to taste if needed
  • 1 cup (240ml) water or more as desired to make the sauce thinner
  • 1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
  • Juice from 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) syrup (optional)

Instructions

How to make Homemade Carolina Reaper Hot sauce recipe Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the Carolina Reaper peppers, garlic, and onion on a baking sheet. Sprinkle smoked paprika over the peppers. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the skins are slightly charred, but not burnt. Be cautious of the fumes.
  • Transfer the peppers and onion to a food processor. Squeeze the garlic from their skins and add them to the processor.
  • Add the vinegar, lime juice, and salt. Process until you have a chunky mixture. Be careful of the fumes.
  • Add half a cup of water and process again until the sauce starts to smooth out. If the sauce is too thick, add more water gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
  • You can strain the sauce for a smoother texture, or leave it as-is. If you strain it, you can discard the pulp or dehydrate it to make a superhot seasoning powder.
  • Pour the sauce into sterilized bottles. The flavors will improve over time. Enjoy!

Notes

This yielded two 5-ounce chili bottles for me when strained. Unstrained, it makes nearly 1.5 cups. The exact amount will vary based on the size of your onion and garlic. This sauce is incredibly hot and absolutely delicious. Carolina Reapers are intense!
Note: You can also preserve this Carolina Reaper sauce recipe by canning it for extended storage.

Homemade Carolina Reaper hot sauce recipe safety tips 

Safety Tips When Handling Carolina Reaper Peppers & Other Superhots:
    •    Use Gloves: Superhot peppers contain oils that can cause a burning sensation if they come into contact with your skin, especially when cutting or chopping them. Always wear gloves to protect your hands. Avoid touching other parts of your skin, such as your face.
    •    Minimize Fumes: When cooking indoors with these peppers, be cautious of the fumes they release, which can be irritating similar to pepper spray. Open windows and use a fan to ventilate the area. Consider cooking the peppers outdoors, on a grill, to reduce indoor fumes.