Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water is a traditional Hawaiian condiment made with Hawaiian chili peppers, rock salt, vinegar and more! It's typically used as a hot sauce and adds a ton of flavor to whatever you toss it on.
Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water
This is one of those recipes you may have never heard of, but once you've tried it, you don't know how you ever lived without it! It's a condiment that's like a hot sauce in style, but somehow also something completely original that can't quite be compared to anything else.
Hawaiian chili pepper water is VERY MUCH like a watered down Pique, which is a Puerto Rican condiment made primarily with vinegar and hot peppers. See my Puerto Rican Hot Sauce - Pique Recipe here. Basically, it's a mixture of water and vinegar that has been infused with chili pepper flavor and heat.
Ingredients in Chili Pepper Water
- Water
- White vinegar
- Hawaiian rock sea salt
- Hawaiian chili peppers
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Soy sauce (or Worcestershire sauce)
How to Make Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water
Boil, then simmer. Add all of the ingredients to a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Enjoy! Remove from heat, cool completely, then transfer to a bottle.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Let it sit. The longer it sits, the more the peppers and other flavors will infuse the water/vinegar mixture.
- Feel free to change up the flavors. Variations include adding slices of garlic and/or ginger (which you can also smash to release the juices more), as well as a splash of soy sauce and/or Worcestershire sauce for added flavor.
- Can't find any Hawaiian rock salt? No worries. You can use kosher salt or any other sea salt you have on hand.
Storage
You can keep this bottled chili pepper water in the fridge for up to 1 year! Just make sure it's fully cooled to room temperature prior to storing for the best results.
You'll also need to make sure your bottle is sterilized - if it has even a little bit of bacteria in it, your chili pepper water will spoil.
Try More of the Best Condiment Recipes
- Caribbean Style Mango-Habanero Hot Sauce
- Pineapple-Mango Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
- Homemade Caribbean-Style Sweet Chili Sauce
- Homemade Fire Cider
- Pique - Puerto Rican Hot Sauce
Try More of My Hawaiian Recipes
If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #ChiliPepperMadness on Instagram so we can take a look. I always love to see all of your spicy inspirations. Thanks! -- Mike H.
Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water - Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces water
- 2 ounces white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Hawaiian rock sea salt you can sub in any sea salt or kosher salt
- Hawaiian chili peppers sliced (add anywhere from 3-20, or as many as you can fit - you CAN sub in other spicy chili peppers)
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- 2-3 fresh ginger slices
- Splash of soy sauce and/or Worcestershire sauce if desired
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a small pan and bring to a quick boil. Reduce the heat immediately and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cool, then transfer to a sterilized bottle. Use as needed. The longer it sits, the more the peppers and other flavors will infuse the water/vinegar mixture.
Notes
Heat Factor: Medium. You'll get some good zestiness with this recipe!
Nutrition Information
Mark Adams says
Can I use frozen peppers in the recipe for Hawaiian chili water?
Mike Hultquist says
You sure can, Mark! It works great for infusing it with flavor. Enjoy!
Debb says
I grew Hawaiian chiles the last few years, and I have a couple bottles of this chile water in my fridge. Great on greens or in soup.
Mike Hultquist says
Yes!! So good. Thanks, Deb.