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You are here: Home » Salsas

Chocolate Habanero Pepper Sauce Recipe

Published: Oct 28, 2013 · Updated: Aug 2, 2021 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

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!

Habanero Chocolate Sauce | easy and with excellent results

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.

Jump to:
  • What Is A Chocolate Habanero Pepper?
  • Chocolate Habanero Sauce Is NOT A Chocolate Sauce
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Habanero Peppers
  • Mexican Chocolate Habanero Pepper Sauce
  • How To Make This Habanero Sauce Recipe: Step By Step Tutorial
  • How To Use Habanero Sauce In Mexican Recipes
  • More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

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.

Habanero Chocolate Sauce | Mexican Markets

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!

Habanero Chocolate Sauce | Mexican Markets

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!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

Habanero Chocolate Sauce | Mexican peppers

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.

Habanero Chocolate Sauce | Instructions step by step

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,

📖 Recipe

Chocolate Habanero Pepper Sauce

Mely Martínez
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 slightly stronger aroma when crushed. If you like hot peppers, look for them and give them a try. Habanero Chocolate Sauce.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
0 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salsas
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 Tablespoons (1-½ cup) of salsa
Calories 7 kcal

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!

Notes

*Here 4 or 5 drops will be fine. The bitter orange juice has to be a mix between sweet and bitter taste.
**If you are not used to handling hot peppers, use caution while cooking.
***The best remedy for an over dose of hot salsa is a glass of cold milk.
****This salsa is ideal for grilled meats or fish, stewed meats, and, of course tacos.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 15mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 63IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lars

    December 08, 2021 at 10:23 am

    I've not made your recipe, but I do make my own version. It is necessary for me to grow my own chocolate Habanero chilies to get enough to make my sauce, but I make huge amounts at a time. I grill the chilies and garlic over mesquite for an even more intense smoky flavor, along with some red bell pepper, to help extend the sauce. Instead of bitter orange juice, I use white Balsamic vinegar and a fair amount of salt, to help preserve it. I put my sauce through a food mill to remove the seeds, and I do this outdoors, as the fumes can be overwhelming. I also wear a swim mask and snorkel when I make it. I buy the seeds from Baker seed company and generally start them in February. I grow the plants outdoors in Los Angeles and get chilies all winter.

    Reply
  2. Tim

    August 21, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Can you advise on some sources for Chocolate Habaneros? They are proving difficult to locate. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      August 21, 2021 at 10:52 am

      Hello TIM,
      you can try local farmers' markets or organic stores like Whole Foods. Online, I have only found people that sell the seeds for planting them.

      Reply
  3. Amy Thompson

    April 23, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    Chocolate Habanero have the most flavor of any I have ever used. I keep them in the freezer for best flavor through the winter.

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      May 02, 2017 at 9:29 pm

      Thank you for the great tip Amy. I will sure save some for the freezer this summer.

      Reply
  4. Prieta

    November 02, 2013 at 4:06 am

    Great salsa, Mely! I can Almonte smell the heat, it looks so good!

    Reply
    • Mely

      November 03, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      Hola Prieta,

      Yes, they are hot indeed!

      Reply
  5. Chris

    October 31, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    I would definitely make this if I could find the chocolate habnero.

    Reply
  6. CQUEK

    October 30, 2013 at 10:37 am

    This one will definitely be going onto my to make list!

    Reply
  7. Rebecca Subbiah

    October 30, 2013 at 2:48 am

    love the farmers markets too and wow this salsa looks good and spicy

    Reply
  8. NORMA RUIZ

    October 30, 2013 at 2:44 am

    Deliciosa pero debe ser súper picosaaaaaaaaaa, saludos amiga.

    Reply
  9. Karen

    October 29, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I love spicy and even hot, but I've tried habaneros before and they are just way too hot for me. I love the sound of a chocolate habanero, though!

    Reply
  10. Nammi

    October 29, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    hello Mely, 🙂 I can almost feel my mouth burn just thinking about all those harbenero.

    Reply
    • Mely

      October 29, 2013 at 6:38 pm

      Hey! Nammi, I did burn mine, a little.

      Reply
  11. Swathi Iyer

    October 29, 2013 at 3:44 am

    That is really spicy treat Mely Love hot peppers.

    Reply
    • Mely

      October 29, 2013 at 6:39 pm

      I am sure you do Swathi. I hope to see some spicy dishes in your blog.

      Reply
  12. Ziho

    October 29, 2013 at 1:03 am

    Me encantan las salsitas de habanero, qué rico!

    Saludos Mely!

    Reply
  13. MeOfCourse

    October 28, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    Hi Mely. Of course I would try it and have. This year our yard produced 2 different types of habaneros and lots of New Mexico chili's and jalapenos, Fresno, thai and more. I gave some away and dried a lot of it in my dehydrator. It's awesome drying the chili's because when they are completely dry, I grind them down to a powder and store in my pantry for future use. In fact I'm drying some habaneros and cayenne right now. Lovely post Mely. Have a great week.
    gloria

    Reply
    • Mely

      October 29, 2013 at 6:39 pm

      Gloria, you should send some of those magic hot powders my way. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Anonymous

    October 29, 2013 at 1:34 am

    You are one of my favorite blogs. I so look forward to making this salsa if I can find the right peppers.....not too many choices here in Kona. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mely

      October 29, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      Hello Anonymous, You sure can try using the peppers available in your area.

      Reply

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ABOUT ME

Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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