Dill Pickle Hot Sauce

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Bold, tangy, and unexpectedly addictive, Dill Pickle Hot Sauce is a zesty blend of brine, heat, and herbs that takes your condiment game to a whole new level. If you love pickles and enjoy a spicy kick, this hot sauce brings the best of both worlds in a jar. It pairs beautifully with burgers, tacos, grilled veggies, and even as a punchy dip for fries or chicken tenders.

Crafted with fresh dill, garlic, peppers, and a touch of vinegar, this homemade creation captures the essence of a crunchy dill pickle with just enough fire to wake up your taste buds. Make it once, and you might find yourself drizzling it over everything!

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What Kind of Peppers Should I Use?

The heat level of your Dill Pickle Hot Sauce depends entirely on the peppers you choose. Jalapeños offer a medium heat and a pleasant grassy flavor, while serranos bring a sharper, spicier note. Want it scorching? Toss in a habanero or two. You can even mix and match to customize both the heat and flavor profile to your taste.

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Ingredients for the Dill Pickle Hot Sauce

• Fresh dill: The signature herb that defines the dill pickle flavor.
• Garlic cloves: Adds depth and a savory, aromatic bite.
• White vinegar: Brings acidity that mirrors pickle brine and acts as a preservative.
• Water: Helps mellow the acidity and balance the texture.
• Pickling cucumbers or dill pickles: For that authentic, briny foundation.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning and flavor.
• Sugar: A small amount rounds out the sharpness.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Offers that speckled heat in the final sauce.
• Hot peppers (jalapeño, serrano, or habanero): The source of the spicy kick.

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How To Make the Dill Pickle Hot Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Roughly chop the cucumbers or pickles, garlic, hot peppers, and dill. No need to be precise here—they’re all going into the blender.

Step 2: Blend Until Smooth

In a blender or food processor, combine the cucumbers, garlic, hot peppers, dill, vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth. You can adjust the consistency by adding a bit more water if needed.

Step 3: Simmer and Reduce

Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors meld and to slightly thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Strain (Optional)

If you prefer a smoother texture, pass the hot sauce through a fine mesh strainer. This will remove any remaining solids for a cleaner pour.

Step 5: Bottle and Chill

Transfer the finished sauce into a clean glass jar or bottle. Let it cool to room temperature before sealing and storing in the fridge. The flavors deepen beautifully after a day or two.

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Serving and Storing Dill Pickle Hot Sauce

This bold sauce is incredibly versatile—drizzle it on sandwiches, burgers, tacos, grilled meats, or even pizza. It also works wonders as a salad dressing base or stirred into sour cream for a spicy dip. For storage, keep it sealed in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for up to a month. Always use clean utensils when serving to avoid contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is this hot sauce?

The heat level depends on the peppers used. Jalapeños will give a mild-medium heat, while habaneros will make it much hotter. Adjust to your spice tolerance.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?

Fresh dill is recommended for the best flavor, but you can use dried in a pinch. Use 1/3 the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

How long does the sauce last?

Stored in an airtight jar in the fridge, it stays good for up to 4 weeks.

Can I make it sugar-free?

Yes! The sugar simply balances the tangy vinegar and heat, but you can omit it or replace it with a sugar-free alternative like stevia.

Do I have to strain the sauce?

Not at all. Straining gives a smoother finish, but leaving it as-is keeps the texture rustic and hearty.

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Want More Sauce and Condiment Ideas?

If you’re loving this Dill Pickle Hot Sauce, here are a few more bold flavors you might want to try:

• Honey Sriracha Dipping Sauce for a sweet-heat combo perfect with fries or nuggets.
• Roasted Garlic Aioli when you’re craving creamy and garlicky richness.
• Green Jalapeño Chimichurri with a fresh herbaceous bite.
• Maple Mustard BBQ Sauce for grilled meats with a smoky-sweet edge.
• Pickled Red Onion Relish to bring tang and crunch to burgers or salads.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest sauce board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with jalapeños or something hotter? Add extra dill? Try it as a wing sauce?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other sauce smarter.

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