Pineapple habanero sauce gives you spicy, sweet, and savory all in one bite! This spicy pineapple hot sauce is a favorite of mine and goes with pretty much anything.
Spicy flavors and tropical fruits go together perfectly, and this homemade pineapple hot sauce is stuffed full of fresh ingredients so really packs a nutritional punch too. I love a fruity hot sauce, the sweet pineapple tames the heat of the spicy habanero peppers and works so well with savory flavors, that's why I think this is the best homemade hot sauce recipe to make yourself.
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How spicy are Habanero chili peppers?
Habanero peppers 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 chili (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 chili 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.
Love spicy food? Try this chipotle ketchup or a chicken vindaloo.
Ingredients
- Pineapple: Some recipes will call for roasted pineapple to caramelize the sugars but I prefer to use fresh raw pineapple.
- Habanero chili: You can use other chili varieties if you prefer, but to really make the most of this pineapple habanero sauce, use habanero peppers.
- Shallot: Shallot has a milder, sweeter taste than onion so I prefer cooking with it.
- Yellow bell pepper: Yellow peppers aren't quite as sweet as red bel peppers, but the sweetness of the pineapple more than makes up for it and they have a delicious, almost citrusy taste. I like using yellow bell pepper to keep the color of the pineapple hot sauce yellow, with tiny flecks of red habanero chili peppers and fresh green herbs.
- Garlic: A small amount of garlic gives a delicious kick to this pineapple habanero sauce.
- Fresh lime juice and zest: Citrus acidity lifts this whole pineapple habanero hot sauce to a new level, I love adding lime to spicy recipes it's the best.
- Fresh cilantro: Also known as coriander, cilantro leaves are
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors of this spicy habanero pineapple sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar (optional): Some like a splash of apple cider vinegar in their hot sauce. I prefer just to add lime, but you can play with it and see what you prefer.
See the recipe card for all of the quantities and full step by step instructions.
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.
- Juice your lime.
- Slice the yellow bell pepper into small square pieces.
- Remove the papery outer layers from the shallot (or onion) and garlic and trim the base.
- Slice your fresh pineapple horizontally into rings, before trimming off the outer skin. Chop into pieces, removing the central core.
- Slice your habanero chili 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 pineapple habanero sauce by adding everything to a food processor and blending until smooth and fully incorporated. Season to taste with salt.
Top Tip: when handling spicy peppers like habanero chili it is a good idea to wear gloves!
I like to make my pineapple habanero sauce as a thinner hot sauce that is quite smooth so I blend it in a food processor but you can leave it chunky, more like a salsa if you prefer.
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 recipes like this pineapple habanerno sauce. 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. It's great on top of these tortilla breakfast cups too!
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 chili 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. And have you tried hot honey? It's another favorite.
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 leftover pineapple habanero sauce in an airtight container, squeezing over a bit of extra lime juice to keep things fresh and use it within 3-4 days.
You can also freeze this homemade hot sauce in an airtight container and use it within 1 month.
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.
Pineapple Habanero 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. Juice your lime.
- Prepare the vegeables. Slice the yellow bell pepper into small square pieces. Remove the papery outer layers from the shallot (or onion) and garlic and trim the base.
- Slice your fresh pineapple horizontally into rings, before trimming off the outer skin. Chop into pieces, removing the central core.
- Slice your habanero chili 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.
- Blend all the ingredients together until fully incorporated and season to taste with salt.
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!