Habanero pineapple hot sauce that gives you spicy, sweet and savoury all in one bite! This spicy pineapple hot sauce is a favourite of mine and goes with pretty much anything.
Spicy flavours and tropical fruits go together perfectly, and this pineapple hot sauce is stuffed full of fresh ingredients so really packs a nutritional punch too. I love a fruity hot sauce, the pineapple tames the heat of the chilli pepper and works so well with savoury flavours, that's why I think this is the best homemade hot sauce recipe to make yourself.
How spicy are Habanero chilli peppers?
Habanero chillis measure a hefty 100,000 to 350,000 heat units on the Scoville scale so they do pack a punch compared to the jalapeno which measures only 2500 to 8000. The Habanero was once in the Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chilli (in the year 1999) but it's since been displaced and the title now goes to the Carolina Reaper which comes in a 1,400,000 to 2 200,000. Phew! By those standards, the habanero would be considered a medium heat chilli pepper but don't be fooled, it is pretty spicy.
This sweet and spicy habanero pineapple hot sauce recipe was designed to go alongside dishes like this juicy BBQ black garlic chicken in the summertime, piled on top of fish tacos or simply enjoyed on its own with tortilla chips. This is my most requested dish to take to BBQs, I seem to spend hours making it each summer but once you've tried it, you'll know why. Make a large bowl as trust me, it will disappear fast, especially if you like spicy food.
I like to make my pineapple hot sauce smooth so I blend it in a food processor but you can leave it chunky, more like a salsa if you prefer.
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Ingredients
- Pineapple
- Habanero chilli
- Shallot
- Yellow bell pepper
- Garlic clove
- Fresh lime zest
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh cilantro/coriander leaf and stalk
- Salt and pepper
I like using yellow bell pepper to keep the colour of the pineapple hot sauce yellow, with tiny flecks of the red habanero chilli and fresh green herbs.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Grate the zest from the lime, taking care to only grate the green surface layer of zest, and stop once you reach the white layer of pith. The white pith is bitter in taste, so we don't want to include it!
Slice your lime in half and juice it.
Slice the bell pepper into small square pieces.
Remove the papery outer layer from the shallot and trim the base.
Remove the papery outer layer from the garlic clove.
Slice your pineapple horizontally into rings, before trimming off the outer skin. Chop into pieces, removing the central core.
Slice your habanero chilli in half and remove the stem. You can either keep or discard the seeds and white pith but be warned, there is a lot of heat in those bits.
Shred your fresh herbs and cut the stalk into small pieces.
Make your habanero pineapple hot sauce by adding everything to a food processor and blend until smooth and fully incorporated. Season to taste.
Hint: when handling spicy peppers like habanero chilli it is a good idea to wear gloves!
Wine pairing with spicy food
Do you love a bit of heat but wonder what wine to serve with spicy food? I love to serve a Gewürztraminer or a Reisling as the slight sweetness of the grapes works well with spice. A ripe Pinot Noir is also usually a good option.
Serving suggestion
This pineapple hot sauce tastes great with anything, I especially love it drizzled over baked eggs when I make them for brunch.
Substitutions and variations
Here are a few ways you can change up this homemade pineapple hot sauce recipe to suit you.
- Mango - instead of pineapple (or as well as) try mango in this spicy homemade hot sauce recipe!
- No fruit - not a fruit fan? Sweetcorn tastes great too.
- Jalapeno peppers - use a chilli pepper like jalapenos if you want mild heat.
- Lemon juice - use lemon instead of fresh lime juice.
Serving this hot sauce at a BBQ? This buttered sweetcorn is another great recipe to make.
Equipment
A decent vegetable peeler, grater, a sharp knife and a large bowl are all you need!
I use Robert Welch knives.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container, squeezing over a bit of extra lime juice to keep things fresh. Good for 2-3 days.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top tip
To take even more heat out of the habanero, soak it in alcohol like tequila first. Then use that tequila to make spicy margaritas! Win win.
Homemade Habanero Pineapple Hot Sauce
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 Chopping board
- 1 zester
- 1 Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 pineapple
- 2 habanero chillis
- 2 shallot
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 lime
- 1 handful coriander/cilantro
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Grate the zest from the lime, taking care to only grate the green surface layer of zest, and stop once you reach the white layer of pith. The white pith is bitter in taste, so we don't want to include it!
- Slice your lime in half and juice it.
- Slice the bell pepper into small square pieces.
- Remove the papery outer layer from the shallot and garlic and trim the base.
- Slice your pineapple horizontally into rings, before trimming off the outer skin. Chop into pieces, removing the central core.
- Slice your habanero chilli in half and remove the stem. You can either keep or discard the seeds and white pith but be warned, there is a lot of heat in those bits.
- Shred your fresh herbs and cut the stalk into small pieces.
- Add everything to a food processor and blend until smooth and fully incorporated. Season to taste.
Dan says
So addicted to this hot sauce! It was so easy to make but tastes great with everything.
Erin says
This was super spicy and we loved it! The habanero chilli with the pineapple was delicious, this is a great hot sauce recipe
Natalie says
I used lemon juice instead of fresh lime juice and it was just perfect! My husband loved it as much as I did! Thanks.
Kalin says
I’ve never made my own hot sauce before but I have to give this a try! It sounds so simple and so tasty
Bobbie says
This is perfect with grilled chicken! Love the flavors!
Giangi says
My mouth is burning by only reading your instructions but boy!!! I cannot wait to make it for my husband that loves habanero.
Thank you for sharing
Lisa says
This is amazingly good! Too hot for those who are not into hot things, but for those of us who are, we were happy to have it all to ourselves. I used it on achiote shrimp tacos, it was delish!
Sean says
While I have a habanero hot sauce I don't have one with pineapple. This recipe was fantastic.
Jacqui says
I am a sucker for spice, and habanero is one of my absolute favorites. This dip turns out to be so flavorful and wholesome - thank you so much!
nancy says
wow this firey sauce is perfect whenever I'm looking for some spice
Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
Bell pepper is my favourite, and I usually have it pickled. I need to try this hot salsa!
Katie says
I've been wanting to make homemade hot sauce for years!! This recipe showed me how simple and delicious it is to make your own, I'm obsessed!