Used both for marination, seasoning and also as an accompaniment, Homemade Peri Peri Sauce recipe is a classic, pungent side that would warm up the winters. Here is a video and step by step recipe of how to make best ever Nando’s style peri peri sauce.
I grew up in the era when ketchup was catching up with everyone’s fancy. I still remember my friends relishing piping hot bowl of Maggi with ketchup or rice with ketchup and it goes without saying right from Chawal ke Pakode till any fritters made at home were 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 about the same.
To catch up with the time, even I have tried and tasted umpteen sauces like Mango Chilli Sauce, Marinara Sauce, Tzatziki Sauce, Bechamel Sauce but my new fond love has become Peri Peri Sauce without a doubt. This has been inspired by Nando’s Peri Peri Sauce which was my hot favourite for long 🙂
If you love spicy food, this peri peri recipe should be in your do make list most definitely.
This winter could not have got a better start than with Homemade Peri Peri Sauce Recipe. Used for marination, seasoning and also as an accompaniment, this Peri Peri Sauce Recipe is a classic, pungent sauce that would warm up the winter for you!
What is Peri Peri?
PERi-PERi is also known as the African Bird’s Eye Chilli. It’s grown in the 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 difference between Peri Peri and 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
What is Peri Peri Sauce?
Originally made in Portugal, Peri Peri Sauce is a hot sauce made using Piri Piri or African Bird’s eye chillies. 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 savour Hot Red Homemade Peri Peri 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.
Peri peri sauce has the depth and flavours like Harissa Sauce and a kick of spice like a classic hot sauce. It tastes, sweet, salty and sour, all at the same time.
How to use Peri Peri Sauce?
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 sauc and I am sure you are going to love this sauce on everything that you make.
My personal favourite is the grilled chicken coated with a thick layer of this sauce. I will be putting up the recipe to make it very soon.
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 Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
We came across Nando’s while our stay in Malaysia. The famous chain serving Chicken marinated with peri peri sauce with varying level of heat caught our fancy very soon and we were a regular at the outlet. The inspiration of 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 peri peri 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.
So let’s better get started and bookmark this easy peasy recipe of Nando’s Peri Peri Sauce Recipe, okay then?
Does peri peri sauce contains gluten?
All the ingredients added in this sauce are gluten free and hence the resulting sauce is gluten free too.
Can you eat peri peri sauce 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 quantity.
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How to make Peri Peri Sauce Step By Step
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.
Peri Peri Sauce Video Recipe
Homemade Peri Peri Sauce Recipe

Peri Peri Sauce
Used both for marination, seasoning and also as an accompaniment, Homemade Peri Peri Sauce recipe is a classic, pungent side that would warm up the winters. Here is how to make best ever peri peri sauce recipe.
Ingredients
- 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.
Recipe Notes
Use any other hot red chilli if bird's eye chilli is not available.
Are you making this recipe? I LOVE to see your creations so snap a photo and tag Whiskaffair on Instagram with the hashtag #Whiskaffair and please give a star rating below ★. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more such easy recipes.
Reena
Hi
can we use with sauce for prawns?
msnehamathur
Yes of course.
Neha Mathur
Yes sure you can.
mohit verma
There is a Nando’s down my street but I have never tried it! You’ve put the idea in my head to go there for dinner though.
Neha Mathur
🙂
Joseph Elmore
You must go. The Peri Peri chicken is amazing.
Neha Mathur
Thnx for your testimonial 🙂
Bec
Hi there, what kind of vinegar do you use in this recipe?
Neha Mathur
Hi. I have used plain white vinegar. Updated in the recipe.
Guy
How hot is the sauce?
Neha Mathur
It is quite hot. Also depends on the hotness of chillies that you are using.
Eric
May I use it for cooking in chicken?
Neha Mathur
Yes, you can.
Joni
Hi. I just bought a GIANT bottle of Nando’s peri-peri sauce at Grocery Outlet for $3. I’ve never heard of Nandos or peri peri, but it looked great and was so cheap I thought I’d give it a try. Any suggestions on how to use it in my vegetarian diet?
Neha Mathur
I have mentioned some of ways you can sue the sauce in the post. Do check.
Farha
Sounds good!!How much of sauce does this make?
Neha Mathur
It will make approx 2 cup sauce. The same quantity as shown in the picture.
Arya
Is it normal paprika or smoked paprika?
Neha Mathur
Hi Arya, I have used normal paprika but you can definitely use smoked one too.
Afia
I forgot to cook the sauce and I marinated my chicken!! Will it make a huge difference??
Neha Mathur
Hi Afia, it should be fine because you will anyways be grilling the chicken.
Peter Nordlund
Can the sauce be canned?
Neha Mathur
It can be. But I am not an expert in canning, so cannot suggest how.
Holly
Thank you for this recipe! I am a Nando’s loving American and it hasn’t made its way to NY. I have been seeing peri peri spice popping up a bit and just ordered some powder, so excited to give this a go. Thank you!
Neha Mathur
Do try the recipe Holly and share your feedback 🙂