Chocolate habanero peppers= deliciousness! This chocolate habanero sauce recipe is really spicy with a smoky undertone. It's an authentic recipe from Yucutan that you can share with friends and family. The main ingredient is the dark-colored chocolate habanero that packs lots of heat in a small pepper. The ingredients are all easy to find at your local grocery store or farmer's market so if you're looking for a new way to spice up your dishes then keep reading!
We are almost at the end of the farmer’s market season, but we still enjoy their bounty every Saturday. This year, the local farmers have really outdone my expectations. I’ve enjoyed the poblano peppers, tomatillos, tomatoes, red and green jalapenos, potatoes, sweet corn, juicy strawberries, and plums.
Well, the list is long, but the thing that got me very happy was this year’s pepper variety! The colors, shapes, spiciness, and the many things you can do with them.
As a cook who loves spicy food, I'm like a kid in a candy store!
And this, my friends, is a very spicy pepper, not just any regular habanero pepper. It's the Chocolate Habanero pepper.
What Is A Chocolate Habanero Pepper?
Chocolate habanero peppers are the main ingredient in today's recipe. They stand out from other types of peppers because they have dark red skin. They go by other names too! You might hear them called Cuban Habanero, Cappuccino Habanero, or Black Congo.
In the Yucatan Peninsula where there are great Habanero Pepper plantations and consumption, this is known as “Chile Habanero, Cubano, or Chocolate". This sauce is both smoky, slightly sweet, and very spicy. It's an all-purpose sauce that you can use as a salsa with your chips or drizzle it on top of your favorite dishes to make them spicier.
Chocolate Habanero Sauce Is NOT A Chocolate Sauce
Sadly, there isn't any chocolate in this sauce. I know - I love chocolate too! The name might be a little confusing, but it's a hot sauce that uses chocolate habanero peppers.
I wish these hot peppers had a different name, but they are called chocolate habaneros because they are as dark as the color of chocolate.
If you like a really spicy hot sauce, then you are going to love making this!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Habanero Peppers
Here are some questions people ask about this habanero sauce recipe. If you have a question, please leave it in the comments.
How do chocolate habaneros compare to red or yellow habaneros?
If you ask me how it compares to the yellow, red, and orange habaneros, I will say that it is a little bit spicier and with a hint of smoky flavor and a slightly stronger aroma when crushed. If you like hot peppers, look for them and give them a try.
What can I use instead of bitter orange juice?
This sauce is traditionally made with bitter orange juice, which is very difficult to find in the United States. Instead of bitter orange juice, mix orange juice, grapefruit juice, and some lime juice. This will recreate the flavor of bitter oranges, also known as Naranja agria, cucha, or cochi in Mexico.
How do you store homemade habanero salsa?
Store leftover habanero sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a month!
Can I use other types of peppers in this sauce?
Yes, you can use any variety of pepper that you like in this sauce. If you can't find chocolate habaneros, use green habaneros, jalapenos, or even poblano peppers.
Mexican Chocolate Habanero Pepper Sauce
This pepper sauce is very easy to make but you do have to take more caution when working with hot peppers. Here's what I used in my sauce:
- Chocolate Habanero Peppers
- Garlic Cloves
- Fresh Orange Juice
- Grapefruit Juice
- Lime or Lemon Juice
- Salt
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
How To Make This Habanero Sauce Recipe: Step By Step Tutorial
The entire recipe is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here's a quick over with tips:
- Place the peppers and garlic cloves in a griddle over medium-high heat.
- Roast the peppers and garlic, turning regularly to have an even roasting.
- Garlic cloves will take less time, make sure to remove them promptly after they are roasted.
- Peel the garlic skins off and let cool.
- Once you finish roasting the habaneros, remove them from the griddle and cool.
- Prepare a mix with the orange, grapefruit, and lime juices.
- Place the garlic cloves and habanero peppers (with stems removed) into a molcajete or food processor and form a coarse texture.
- Slowly add the juice mix and process until you have a finer texture.
- Serve in a bowl, season with salt, and enjoy!
How To Use Habanero Sauce In Mexican Recipes
Use this sauce the same way you use your favorite salsa or hot sauce. Add it to a salsa recipe to make it spicier. It also tastes perfect on top of chorizo tacos or a big plate of Mexican nachos.
It's the perfect addition to almost any recipe you can make. If you find some chocolate habaneros, make this sauce. It brings the authentic taste from the Yucatan peninsula right to your table - and with a lot of fiery heat too.
More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe for Chocolate Habanero sauce, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
- Roasted Red Jalapeño Salsa Recipe
- Salsa Verde Recipe
- Super Spicy Salsa With Puya And Arbol Peppers
- Fresh Salsa Roja
- Chile De Arbol Salsa Recipe
I hope you make this recipe for spicy chocolate habanero pepper sauce If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely
CHOCOLATE HABANERO PEPPER SAUCE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 8 habanero peppers you can use any variety
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoons of fresh grapefruit juice
- A few drops of lime or lemon juice”*
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the peppers and garlic cloves in a griddle over medium high heat. (They will start developing brown spots). Roast the peppers and garlic, turning regularly to have an even roasting. Garlic cloves will take less time, make sure to remove them promptly after they are roasted. Peel the garlic skins off and let cool. Once you finish roasting the Habaneros, remove them from griddle and cool.
- Prepare a mix with the orange, grapefruit and lime juices.
- Place the garlic cloves and habanero peppers (with stems removed) into a molcajete or food processor and form a coarse texture.
- Slowly add the juice mix and process until you have a finer texture. Serve in a bowl; season with salt and enjoy!
Prieta
Great salsa, Mely! I can Almonte smell the heat, it looks so good!
Mely
Hola Prieta,
Yes, they are hot indeed!
Amy Thompson
Chocolate Habanero have the most flavor of any I have ever used. I keep them in the freezer for best flavor through the winter.
mmartinez
Thank you for the great tip Amy. I will sure save some for the freezer this summer.