Homemade Peri Peri Sauce

Used both for marination, seasoning and also as an accompaniment, Homemade Nando’s Style Peri Peri Sauce is a classic, pungent side that would warm up the winters. Here is how to make it.

I grew up in the era when ketchup was catching up with everyone’s fancy.

It’s still available in every household, but at that time, the craze was different. 

I still remember my friends relishing a piping hot bowl of Maggi with ketchup or even fried rice with ketchup and it goes without saying right from Pakode to any fried dish made at home was nicely dunked in ketchup and eaten with joy by our generation.

But now, the times have changed! Ketchup is considered to be the most common accompaniment that is served across the globe and we have grown accustomed to the same.

To catch up with the time, even I have tried and tested umpteen sauces like Mango Chilli Sauce, Marinara Sauce, Tzatziki Sauce, Bechamel Sauce, Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce, Boom Boom Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce, but my new found love is this recipe without a doubt.

This has been inspired by Nando’s sauce, which was my hot favorite for long.

Whoever doesn’t know what is Nando’s, it is a popular food chain which has made its mark all over the world. 

Whenever I have gone to this restaurant, whether outside or in India, this sauce is a must on my table.

Because if like me, you also love eating spicy food, this recipe should be in your do make list most definitely.

Used for marination, seasoning, and also as an accompaniment, this sauce is a classic, pungent sauce that would warm up the winter for you!

So, don’t wait anymore!

What is this made with

Its generally made with PERi-PERi which is also known as the African Bird’s Eye Chilli. It’s grown in Africa and is spicy and tastes amazing. It has many benefits including

• Rich in Vitamins A, B, and C.
• Have capsaicin, which enhances mood: your pupils dilate, your metabolic rate increases, and there’s a rush of endorphins when you consume it!
• PERi-PERi is a natural preservative.

What is the difference with Piri Piri?

“Piri-piri, peri-peri or peli-peli is the name used in Portuguese and a number of African languages to describe the African bird’s-eye chilli.

The variations in spelling derive from the various pronunciations of the word in parts of Africa, although ‘piri-piri’ is the correct spelling in Portuguese.” – BBC Good Food

About this recipe

Originally made in Portugal, it is a hot sauce made using Piri Piri or African Bird’s eye chillies.

The recipe also uses red peppers, red onions, and garlic but the show stealer of this sauce is African Red Chilli or Bird’s Eye Chilli which grants it its sensation!

In case African Red Chillies are not available then you can use any other hot red chilli like Thai Chilli as well.

Every time you would savor this Hot Red Sauce Recipe, you would certainly get a culinary kick on your palate and that’s the reason why I just cannot have enough of it.

IT has the depth and flavors like Harissa Sauce and a kick of spice like a classic hot sauce.

It tastes, sweet, salty, and sour, all at the same time.

Ingredients

To make this spicy and hot sauce, you will need red bell pepper, onion, African red chilli, garlic, paprika powder, black pepper powder, vinegar, salt, olive oil, dried oregano, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

It has a nice hot, spicy, and tangy flavor in one and makes any simple dish irresistible.

While the African red chillies do the magic here, you can also use any other spicy dry red chilli if you don’t find the African ones. 

Just mix all the ingredients, grind them, and cook for 15-20 minutes. Your sauce is ready! 

Usage Suggestions

Use this versatile sauce for marinating potatoes, paneer, chicken recipes, or use it as a dressing for french fries, sandwiches – oh, you are going to love it all.

This is a great recipe to make piri piri sauce and I am sure you are going to love this sauce on everything that you make.

My personal favorite is Peri Peri Chicken Skewers where chicken strips are coated with a thick layer of this sauce and grilled.

You can add some in mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and make a nice peri peri dip.

Thin it down with water and drizzle over your salad.

You can add some to soups and stews for a nice kick.

Nando’s Recipe

We came across Nando’s while our stay in Malaysia.

The famous chain serving Chicken marinated with sauce with varying levels of heat caught our fancy very soon and we were a regular at the outlet.

The inspiration for making this sauce comes from the many bottles of this goodness that we brought back to India and used them in everything from chicken to shrimps to dips.

After quite a few experiments, I can proudly say that this recipe gives a fabulous result which is very close to Nando’s Sauce.

It’s, in fact, better because you can control the level of heat and knows what’s going into your sauce.

Our spice level is a little towards the higher side and hence I have used 100 g of African chillies. You can feel free to reduce the amount if you like your sauce a little milder.

Use more of red peppers in place of chillies if you want a milder version.

If the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can thin it down with some olive oil or water.

Storage Suggestions

You can store it in an airtight container for about 15 days in the refrigerator.

Does this sauce contain gluten?

All the ingredients added in this sauce are gluten-free and hence the resulting sauce is gluten-free too.

Can you eat it when pregnant?

There is no harmful effect of eating Peri Peri sauce while pregnancy, but since it is a very hot sauce you should avoid consuming it in large quantities because it may cause heartburn and general stomach upset if taken in large quantities.

You might also like:

Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia

Harissa Sauce

Schezwan Sauce

Homemade Tahini

Hoisin Sauce

Boom Boom Sauce

Step By Step Recipe

Add all the ingredients in the jar of a food processor.

Blend to make a smooth puree.

Transfer the sauce in a pan.

Cook for 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat. Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool down.

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Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Used both for marination, seasoning and also as an accompaniment, this sauce is a classic, pungent side that would warm up the winters. Here is how to make it.

4.5 from 55 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cooking Basics

Cuisine: African

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 73kcal

Author: Neha Mathur

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 300 g Red Bell Pepper (Chopped)
• 100 g Onion (Chopped)
• 50 g African Red Chilli (Use any other spicy variety if these are not available)
• 10-12 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 1/4 cup White Vinegar
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Lemon Zest
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients in the jar of a blender and blend to make a smooth sauce.
• Transfer the sauce in a pan and cook for 15-20 minutes on medium low heat.
• Remove the pan from heat and let the sauce cool down.
• Pour the sauce in a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 15 days.
• Use as required.

Notes

Use any other hot red chilli if bird's eye chilli is not available.

Nutrition Facts

Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 73 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 469mg20%

Potassium 128mg4%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1340IU27%

Vitamin C 48mg58%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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