Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

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This creamy jalapeño sauce is spicy, tangy, and super easy to make at home. It’s all about fresh jalapeños, onion, and garlic blended into a smooth, flavorful sauce. You can use it as a dip, spread it on sandwiches, or drizzle it over your favorite meals for an extra kick.

Making this sauce is really simple. You just boil the jalapeño peppers and onion, blend everything up, and you’re done! It’s a great way to use up those extra jalapeños from the garden or farmers market.

What I love about this easy recipe is how simple it is to adjust the heat. If you like it milder, remove the seeds and placenta from the fresh jalapeños. Want it spicier? Leave them in or even add a few serranos. You can also play around with the amount of lime juice or vinegar to get the tanginess just right for your taste.

This sauce is super versatile, too. I like to use it as a dip for tortilla chips or veggie sticks. It’s also amazing drizzled over tacos or burritos, and it adds a beautiful color to various dishes. You can even mix a spoonful of the jalapeño sauce into guacamole or sour cream for an extra kick.

If you’re new to making your own sauces, this is a great place to start. It’s very forgiving and the results are way better than anything you’d buy at the store. Plus, you know exactly what’s going into it (no weird additives or preservatives).

For more delicious sauce recipes try our classic jalapeño hot sauce or our homemade enchilada sauce.

Recipe Highlights

• Our recipe uses fresh ingredients, giving you a bright, zesty flavor that store-bought sauces can’t match.
• You can easily adjust the heat level by keeping or removing the jalapeño seeds, making it suitable for both spice lovers and those who prefer milder flavors.
• The sauce comes together quickly – it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.
• With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is budget-friendly and easy to make with items you might already have on hand.

Ingredients Needed

The full list of measurements for each ingredient is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Jalapeno peppers – These are the star of the creamy jalapeño sauce. Fresh homegrown jalapeños give the best flavor and heat, but you can also sub serrano peppers or poblano peppers for a different taste. You can adjust the spiciness by removing the seeds and ribs.
• White onion – Adds a sweet and punchy taste to the sauce. Make sure to chop it before boiling for even cooking.
• Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic provides a punch of flavor. Feel free to add more if you’re a garlic lover like us! This is a great recipe to add some spicy pickled garlic.
• Avocado oil – This helps create a smooth, creamy texture. It also has a neutral flavor that allows the other ingredients to shine.
• Lime juice – Adds a bright, tangy note that balances the heat of the jalapeños. Fresh is always best when it comes to lime juice!
• Apple cider vinegar – Just a touch adds extra tang and helps the sauce last longer.
• Salt – A little bit of salt enhances all the other flavors.

How to Make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Boil the vegetables. Add the jalapeños and chopped onion to a large pot. Add water to just cover the vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 7-10 minutes, until jalapenos are just softened but still bright green. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the boiling water.

Prep the jalapeños. After boiling, remove the stems from the jalapeños. If you want a milder sauce, you can also remove the seeds at this point.

Blend the sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the boiled jalapenos and onion, garlic cloves, avocado oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt. Blend for 4-5 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Adjust the consistency. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of the reserved boiling water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Season to taste. Give it a taste and adjust the salt or lime juice if needed. If it seems bland, add a generous pinch of salt and re-blend until it has a nice flavor.

Chill & Serve. Transfer the sauce to a container and refrigerate for at least an hour. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Use as a dip, spread, or sauce for your favorite dishes. Enjoy your homemade creamy jalapeño sauce any way you’d like!

Storage and Serving

This creamy jalapeno sauce will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The flavors actually improve after a day or two as they meld together. Give the sauce a quick stir before using, as it may separate slightly in storage. If it thickens too much in the fridge, you can thin it out with a little water or lime juice.

Serve the sauce chilled or at room temperature, depending on how you’re using it. It’s great as a dip for chips or fresh veggies, or as a topping for tacos, burritos, or burrito bowls. Try drizzling it over roasted vegetables or use it as a zesty spread for sandwiches.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before blending. On the other hand, leave them in for higher heat.
• If you accidentally make the sauce too spicy, try adding more avocado oil or a bit of plain yogurt or sour cream to mellow it out.
• For a chunkier sauce, pulse the ingredients in the blender or food processor instead of blending until smooth.
• Experiment with different peppers like serrano, poblano, or even a habanero or two for varied flavors and heat levels.
• Add more salt if needed at the end.

Can I use a different oil instead of avocado oil?

Yes, you can use another neutral-flavored oil like grapeseed or light olive oil. However, avocado oil gives a nice creamy texture and doesn’t influence the flavor too much.

My sauce is too thick. What should I do?

Add a bit of the reserved boiling water, regular water, or extra lime juice, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

Is this sauce very spicy?

The heat level can vary depending on the jalapeños used. Start with fewer peppers if you’re unsure, and adjust to your taste.

Video Recipe:

Other jalapeños recipes to try

• Jalapeño pepper jelly (only 4 ingredients)
• The best jalapeño poppers
• Jalapeño strawberry jam