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You are sure to love my Peri Peri Sauce to spice up any dish with chicken, beef, or pork, and you can even use it for dipping! Plus this Portuguese sauce recipe only takes 10 minutes to make with minimal cooking needed.
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Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Also known as Piri Piri Sauce or Pili Pili Sauce, Peri Peri Sauce is a popular South African sauce that originates from Portuguese settlers discovering the bird’s eye chili of the area. If you’ve ever eaten at Nando’s, the South African restaurant chain, then you already know what the hype is about!
My homemade Portuguese Piri Piri Sauce recipe is very close to the sauce you would get at Nando’s, but even better! Since you’re making this easy sauce right at home, you’re in full control over what goes into it. Make it as spicy as you like!
Most often, this Nando’s inspired sauce pairs well with chicken, as the spicy, tangy depth of flavors of the sauce complements meat deliciously. If you haven’t tried making a homemade Piri Piri Sauce recipe yet, this is one you need to add to your list!
My new favorite sauce. I love making it in batches and using it for a quick and easy meal.
Jordan
Peri Peri Sauce Ingredients
- Vegetable Oil
- Garlic
- Red Onion
- Sweet Paprika
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Thai Red Chilis
- Sherry Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Lemon
- Brown Sugar
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Peri Peri Sauce
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, garlic, and paprika until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add fire roasted peppers, Thai red chilis, sherry vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, brown sugar, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and the sauteed onions and garlic to a blender. Blend until nearly smooth.er ingredients, to a blender.
- Serve immediately, or store and enjoy later!
Piri Piri Sauce Recipe Tips
- If you’d like a milder sauce, reduce the amount of chili, and increase if you like it hot.
- When using fire-roasted peppers from a jar, discard any liquid.
- Smoked paprika can be used as a substitute for sweet paprika.
- If the sauce is too thick for your liking, you can thin it down with olive oil or water.
- Try it with Fried Chicken Wings!
What is Peri Peri Sauce?
Peri peri sauce is a blend of African bird’s eye chilies or Peri Peri chilies, and spices that give this sauce a unique bold flavor. It is a hot sauce perfect for pairing with chicken, beef, and pork, or for use as a dipping sauce.
Peri Peri Sauce FAQs
Peri peri sauce is loaded with garlicky, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It is a boldly flavorful sauce that stands out in every dish it’s included in.
There is no difference between piri piri sauce and peri peri. You may also hear the name “pili pili sauce”; all three variations of the name refer to the same recipe.
My recipe for piri piri sauce is 100% gluten-free and vegan, so anyone at the table can enjoy it.
Storing Peri Peri Sauce
Storing and freezing peri peri sauce is a great way to preserve its flavor and extend its shelf life. Here are steps on how to store and freeze peri peri sauce:
Storing Peri Peri Sauce:
- Refrigeration: If you plan to use the sauce within a few weeks, store it in the refrigerator. Transfer the sauce into an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Ensure that the container is clean and dry before transferring the sauce.
- Label and Date: Always label the container with the contents and the date it was made or opened. This helps you keep track of its freshness.
- Refrigeration Temperature: Keep the peri peri sauce in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically around 35-40°F (1-4°C).
Freezing Peri Peri Sauce:
If you want to store peri peri sauce for an extended period, freezing is a good option:
- Cool the Sauce: Allow the peri peri sauce to cool down to room temperature before freezing. This helps prevent condensation inside the container.
- Use Suitable Containers: Choose freezer-safe containers or freezer bags to store the sauce. Ensure they are airtight to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor.
- Label and Date: Clearly label each container or bag with the date and the type of sauce. This makes it easy to identify and use later.
- Freezer Temperature: Store the peri peri sauce in the coldest part of your freezer, typically at 0°F (-18°C) or lower.
Thawing and Using Frozen Peri Peri Sauce:
- Thaw in the Refrigerator: For best results, thaw the frozen peri peri sauce in the refrigerator. This slow thawing process helps maintain the sauce’s texture and flavor.
- Quick Thaw: If you need to use the sauce quickly, you can place the sealed container or bag in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the sauce has thawed.
- Do Not Refreeze: Once the sauce has thawed, use it within a few days and do not refreeze it. Refreezing can affect the quality of the sauce.
Store in an airtight container for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 2 months in the freezer.
Portuguese Recipes
Spicy Sauce Recipes
📋 Recipe
Peri Peri Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ medium red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika (see note 3)
- 2 large fire roasted peppers (see note 2)
- 6-7 Thai red chilis seeds removed and finely chopped (see note 1)
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar  or red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, garlic, and paprika until softened, about 5 minutes.2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 4 cloves garlic, ½ medium red onion, 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- Add fire roasted peppers, Thai red chilis, sherry vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, brown sugar, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and the sauteed onions and garlic to a blender. Blend until nearly smooth.2 large fire roasted peppers, 6-7 Thai red chilis, ¼ cup sherry vinegar, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, Zest of one lemon, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 4 teaspoons dried oregano, 1½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Serve immediately, or store and enjoy later!
Video
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the heat to your taste by adding more or less chili peppers. This Peri Peri sauce recipe is medium-hot.
- When using fire roasted peppers from a jar, discard the liquid they came in.
- You can used smoked paprika if you prefer.
- If you want to make batches of Peri Peri Sauce and store them, make sure to use sterilized bottles and use proper canning procedure.Â
Nutrition
Photos by Marie Roffey.
Mary says
We really liked the peri peri sauce! I marinated and baked boneless, skinless chicken thighs and they turned out great. I have some wild salmon in the freezer and am thinking of trying the sauce on it.
Em Beitel says
That sounds amazing, Mary! Thank you so much for sharing with us. We would love to hear how it pairs with the salmon. It sounds like an incredible combo!
Annette says
Question, you used thai chili, how many dried Peri Peri’s would I use for this recipe?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Annette! Red Thai chilis are the same as bird’s eye chilis (the peri peri peppers). So, you can use the same amount. Enjoy!