Habanero Honey Hot Sauce
A homemade hot sauce using garden-grown habaneros – fiery, fruity, and incredibly versatile.
If you’ve grown habaneros this year, you’ll know that even a single plant can keep you well stocked in chillies. Their heat is intense, but behind that fire is a lovely fruity flavour that really shines when balanced with sweetness and acidity.
This Habanero Honey Hot Sauce is surprisingly simple to make, uses just a handful of ingredients, and keeps for months in the fridge. A few drops can transform soups, stews, roasted veg, grilled meats or even scrambled eggs. It’s one of those condiments you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.
Ingredients
- 6–8 habanero chillies (adjust to your heat preference)
- 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 200 ml white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
- 100 ml water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Optional: the juice of 1 lime for extra brightness
Method
- Prepare the vegetables Roughly chop the onion and carrot. Remove stalks from the habaneros. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds. If you like it hot, leave them in. Wear gloves if possible.
- Simmer the base Add the carrot, onion, garlic, habaneros, vinegar and water to a saucepan. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 12–15 minutes until the carrot is soft.
- Blend the sauce Tip everything into a blender along with the honey and salt. Blend until completely smooth. If it's thicker than you like, add a splash more water or vinegar to adjust.
- Taste and adjust Add lime juice if you want extra sharpness. For more sweetness, stir in a little more honey.
- Bottle and store Pour into sterilised bottles or jars. Keep in the fridge where it will happily last 2–3 months.
How to Use Your Hot Sauce
- Drizzle over roasted squash or sweet potatoes.
- Stir a small spoonful into soups or stews for warmth.
- Add to marinades for chicken, veg kebabs or tofu.
- Mix with mayonnaise for a quick spicy dip.
- A few drops on scrambled eggs works wonders.
Final Thoughts
Homemade hot sauce is one of the simplest ways to preserve and enjoy your chilli harvest. This version balances the heat of habaneros with the sweetness of honey and the brightness of vinegar, making it extremely versatile.
Whether you’re a chilli lover or just want to enjoy a little warmth through winter, this is well worth adding to your preserving list.