Learn how to ferment peppers to make pepper mash at home so you can make your own homemade hot sauces and help preserve your abundant chili pepper harvest. Fermenting chili peppers is a fun, great way to preserve them, and essential for making hot sauces.
How to Ferment Peppers (Make Pepper Mash)
There are many ways to make hot sauce, and as you can tell by our Hot Sauce Recipes section of the web site, I’ve made a lot of them. However, one way we have yet to explore is making them with fermented chili peppers.
If you’ve ever enjoyed Tabasco sauce, you’ve tasted fermented chili peppers. Tabasco starts with tabasco peppers which they crush, mix with salt, and ferment in oak barrels for up to 3 years. The original Tabasco sauce only uses 3 ingredients – tabasco peppers, salt, and distilled vinegar.
A number of hot sauce makers use fermented peppers in the form of pepper mash to make their products, and a good pepper mash makes a difference in the resulting flavors. If you’re interested in making sauces from pepper mash, good news. It’s easy to make at home and you don’t need to wait 3 years for it to be ready.
But first…
What is Fermented Pepper Mash?
Pepper mash is a collection of chili peppers that have been mashed together with salt then aged until they break down chemically. Fermentation is one our oldest methods of food preservation. Humans have preserved many foods this way, from cheeses to wine to a slew of other vegetables.
Fermentation, basically, is the decomposition of foods by micro-organisms (Lactic Acid Bacteria) or enzymes. We create an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment for the peppers so the natural Lactic Acid Bacteria can thrive, and other undesirable bacteria cannot.
Bad bacteria or rotting molds, cannot survive in an anaerobic environment, which we create with salt and brine, therefore protecting the peppers while the good bacteria do their work. The salt is not actually the preservative. It is the acid produced by the fermentation process that does the preserving.
Lactic acid bacteria consumes carbohydrates in the peppers and converts them to acid. After fermenting, the carbohydrates have been predigested, leaving them with more vitamins and flavor than fresh peppers.
It is akin to a controlled decay process, and there are numerous benefits to fermentation, including more digestible foods and more desirable flavors. With peppers, you’ll notice a mellowing of flavors, changes in color, and in the pleasant smell of the resulting mash.
How Safe is Fermenting Peppers?
Fermenting peppers is very safe! Before I began my exploration into fermentation, I succumbed to the common misconception that fermenting could easily lead to rotten or even dangerous foods, but in truth, fermentation is very simple and hard to mess up.
The key is to ferment properly. You’ll know if you’ve made a mistake by the smell of a ferment. It will smell “off” or “rotten”.
The fact is, we’re fermenting in a controlled environment, so just be sure to follow the proper procedures.
Making Basic Pepper Mash
You can make fermented pepper mash from any type of chili pepper, even dried peppers. Your only consideration is the thickness of the pepper walls. Thicker walled peppers may need to be strained after the fermentation period, to remove the coarser skin, so you don’t need to seed them if you don’t want to.
Thinner walled peppers won’t need straining, so you may want to seed them first if you prefer a smoother result when you process the mash later on.
To make pepper mash, first process your fresh peppers in a food processor. If you don’t have a processor, use a mortar and pestle or simply finely chop them.
Next, mix in salt. You should use 1-2 teaspoons salt (5.69 - 11.38 g) per pound (.45 kg) of peppers. 1 pound of peppers should process down to about 1 cup of mash. So, use 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of mash, which is roughly 2.3% salt by weight.
Resources vary in their salt recommendations. Most recommend 2-5% by weight and up to 10%, with 2-3% being ideal.
The peppers will begin to release their moisture right away. A note about salt: most salts are fine to use, but avoid using salts with additives, such as table salt.
Place your mash into a jar and press it down to remove any air pockets. Leave at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) of headspace. The peppers may rise a bit when fermenting. The brine will rise up and cover the peppers. It is important to keep the peppers covered with brine to avoid spoilage. Check this daily.
Screw on the lid and set the jar away from direct sunlight to ferment for at least 1 week. Ideal temperatures are between 55-75 degrees F (12.78-23.89 C). The most active fermentation period is between 1-2 weeks, so be sure to monitor it during this time. “Burp” the jars often by unscrewing the lid a bit to let out some of the accumulating gases. Or, use an airlock or membrane for easier fermenting. See below for what I like to use.
After 1-2 weeks, the fermenting activity will diminish. Move it to a pantry where you can let it ferment longer if you’d like, or use it right away. You can ferment for months or even longer to allow the flavors to more fully develop.
Once it is ready, store it in the refrigerator where it will last for a year or longer.
Making Brine Pepper Mash
An alternate method to the basic pepper mash is using a brine, which is a salt water solution. The primary difference is that we’re adding water rather than using the natural juices from the peppers. This method ensures the peppers stay beneath the brine, and is more ideal for thinner walled peppers.
To make a brine pepper mash, first chop your fresh peppers. You can process in a food processor or use a mortar and pestle or simply finely chop them. Pack them into a jar, leaving at least 1 inch of head space. The peppers may rise a bit when fermenting.
Next, mix 1 quart (.95 liter) unchlorinated water with 1.5 (27 g, for 3% brine) to 3 tablespoons (54 g, for 6% brine) sea salt. Pour just enough brine over the peppers to cover them, pressing them down a bit as you go. It is important to keep the peppers covered with brine to avoid spoilage. Check this daily.
Screw on the lid and set the jar away from direct sunlight to ferment for at least 1 week. Ideal temperatures are between 55-75 degrees F (12.78-23.89 C). The most active fermentation period is between 1-2 weeks, so be sure to monitor it during this time. “Burp” the jars often by unscrewing the lid a bit to let out some of the accumulating gases. Or, use an airlock or membrane for easier fermenting. See below for what I like to use.
After 1-2 weeks, the fermenting activity will diminish and the brine will turn cloudy and taste acidic. Move it to a pantry where you can let it ferment longer if you’d like, or use it right away. You can ferment for months or even longer to allow the flavors to more fully develop.
Once it is ready, process it with a food processor. You can use it right away to make hot sauce or store it in the refrigerator where it will last for a year or longer.
I personally like to add a bit of vinegar at this stage before storage.
Good luck, and happy fermenting! Let me know what you make with your pepper mash.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fermenting Peppers and Making Pepper Mash
Best Salt for Fermenting Peppers
When fermenting chilies, it is important to use salt that does not contain anti-caking agents or iodine, as these can inhibit the natural fermentation process. Here are some types of salt that are commonly used for fermenting chili peppers:
- Non-iodized Sea Salt. Sea salt is a popular choice for fermenting chili peppers, as it is minimally processed and typically does not contain anti-caking agents or iodine. Look for non-iodized sea salt, which is readily available in most grocery stores.
- Kosher Salt. Kosher salt is a coarse-grained salt that dissolves easily in water, making it suitable for fermenting. Like sea salt, kosher salt does not usually contain anti-caking agents or iodine, but it's important to check the packaging to make sure.
- Pickling Salt. Pickling salt is specifically formulated for preserving and fermenting vegetables, making it a good choice for fermenting chili peppers. It is fine-grained and dissolves easily in water, ensuring even distribution of salt in the fermentation brine.
- Himalayan Pink Salt. Himalayan pink salt is a natural salt that is often used in fermenting and has gained popularity for its trace mineral content and unique flavor. It is typically non-iodized and does not contain anti-caking agents, making it suitable for fermenting chili peppers.
When fermenting chili peppers, it's important to use the right amount of salt according to your recipe or fermentation process. Too little salt can lead to spoilage or mold growth, while too much salt can inhibit fermentation.
Why Does My Pepper Mash Taste Bitter?
I sometimes get some bitterness with my fermented pepper batches. I've seen a lot of discussion on it, whether it is from kahm yeast or from the starting peppers themselves, where the slight bitterness is amplified in the fermentation process. The best way to counter it is through the addition of other ingredients.
Also, some people report a bitterness from the pepper seeds, so try removing the seeds before fermentation and see if that affects your resulting flavor.
To counterbalance the bitterness, try adding an acid like vinegar or lime juice, which can help balance it out, then a sweetener like sugar or honey. Certain roasted vegetables can help, too, like carrots or other flavors. Garlic is good. They can all help balance out the bitterness. Give the final sauce time to rest and let the flavors meld in the refrigerator.
What is Kahm Yeast?
Kahm yeast is a whitish film that can sometimes appear on top of your ferment. It can form when all of the sugar in your ferment is consumed. The PH drops because of lactic acid buildup, allowing kahm yeast to form. It is not a mold, and can be scraped away from your ferment.
Sweeter vegetables, particular peppers, are more prone to kahm yeast.
How do I tell if peppers are fermenting?
You will often see bubbling activity in the jar as the fermentation process takes place, but not always. Sometimes you may have what is called a "quiet ferment", where it seems little activity it taking place. Fermenting peppers give off a slightly sour, pleasent smell, so trust your nose to know fermentation is taking place.
How Do You Know if the Fermentation is Bad?
You can usually tell if a fermentation is bad by sight or smell. If you see signs of fuzzy or pinkish colored mold, the ferment is infected. If the peppers are very mushy, something has gone wrong.
If the ferment smells rotten or disgusting to you, it has gone bad. Trust your nose to know if something is bad. A good ferment will have a slightly sour smell, but will smell pleasant.
Hot Sauce Recipes with Fermented Peppers
Here are some of my own recipes that use fermented chili peppers.
- Fermented Hot Sauce Recipe
- Homemade Sriracha Hot Sauce
- Fermented Aji-Garlic Hot Sauce
- Homemade Louisiana Hot Sauce
- Spicy Serrano Hot Sauce
Check out more Hot Sauce Recipes or learn more about How to Make Hot Sauce. Also see my post on Homemade Kimchi (How to Make Kimchi).
The best ph meters that I recommend are from Thermoworks. Get yourself a ph meter from Thermoworks today. I am a happy affiliate.
Got any questions? Please contact me anytime and I will do my best to help. Good luck with your pepper fermentation!
How to Ferment Chili Peppers (Pepper Mash Recipe)
Ingredients
FOR BASIC PEPPER MASH
- 1 pound chili peppers stemmed and roughly chopped (cored and seeded, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon salt
FOR BRINE PEPPER MASH
- 1 pound chili peppers stemmed and roughly chopped (cored and seeded, if desired)
- 1.5-3 tablespoons salt (1.5 tablespoon (27 g, for 3% brine) to 3 tablespoons (54 g, for 6% brine))
- 1 quart unchlorinated water
Instructions
FOR MAKING BASIC PEPPER MASH
- Finely chop your peppers. You can blend them to fit more into jars, but this can make it harder to keep below the brine.
- Next, mix in salt. You should use 1 teaspoon salt (5.69 g) per pound (.45 kg) of peppers. 1 pound of peppers should process down to about 1 cup of mash. So, use 1 teaspoon of salt per cup of mash, which is roughly 2.3% salt by weight.
- The peppers will begin to release their moisture right away.
- Place your mash into a jar and press it down to remove any air pockets. Leave at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) of headspace. The peppers may rise a bit when fermenting. The brine will rise up and cover the peppers. It is important to keep the peppers covered with brine to avoid spoilage. Check this daily.
- Screw on the lid and set the jar away from direct sunlight to ferment for at least 1 week. Ideal temperatures are between 55-75 degrees F (12.78-23.89 C). The most active fermentation period is between 1-2 weeks, so be sure to monitor it during this time. “Burp” the jars often by unscrewing the lid a bit to let out some of the accumulating gases. Or, use an airlock or membrane for easier fermenting. See below for what I like to use.
- After 1-2 weeks, the fermenting activity will diminish. Move it to a pantry where you can let it ferment longer if you’d like, or use it right away. You can ferment for months or even longer to allow the flavors to more fully develop.
- Once it is ready, store it in the refrigerator where it will last for a year or longer.
FOR MAKING BRINE PEPPER MASH
- Finely chop your fresh peppers. You can blend them to fit more into jars, but this can make it harder to keep below the brine. Pack them into a jar, leaving at least 1 inch of head space. The peppers may rise a bit when fermenting.
- Next, mix 1 quart (.95 liter) unchlorinated water with sea salt. Pour just enough brine over the peppers to cover them, pressing them down a bit as you go. It is important to keep the peppers covered with brine to avoid spoilage. Use a glass weight or a baggie filled with water on top if needed to press the peppers down below the brine. Check this daily.
- Screw on the lid and set the jar away from direct sunlight to ferment for at least 1 week. Ideal temperatures are between 55-75 degrees F (12.78-23.89 C). The most active fermentation period is between 1-2 weeks, so be sure to monitor it during this time. “Burp” the jars often by unscrewing the lid a bit to let out some of the accumulating gases. Or, use an airlock or membrane for easier fermenting.
- After 1-2 weeks, the fermenting activity will diminish and the brine will turn cloudy and taste acidic. Move it to a pantry where you can let it ferment longer if you’d like, or use it right away. You can ferment for months or even longer to allow the flavors to more fully develop.
- Once it is ready, process it with a food processor. You can use it right away to make hot sauce or store it in the refrigerator where it will last for a year or longer.
- I personally like to add a bit of vinegar at this stage before storage.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Rob says
Hi. Did the salt water fermentation process. After about 2 weeks, got white mold layer. Is that right?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Rob, is it mold for sure? It might be kahm yeast. Kahm yeast forms when the sugar is consumed and the PH drops because of lactic acid formation. Peppers are more prone to this because they are sweeter. Kahm yeast can be scraped off. Let me know.
Sega says
Hi, I have recurring Kahm yeast in my hot sauce mix, must be the sweet peppers and tomatoes, and I keep scraping it off. (It’s only been two weeks).... My biggest concern is Does it alter taste? Will my sauce taste weird and be slimy?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hi, Sega. Kahm yeast is definitely something you can scrape off. If it gets into the mash, it can leave a bitter taste, so get as much out as you can.
Rob says
Hi Michael. Not sure if it’s mold or kham yeast. How can one tell? Also, I used a bodem (coffee plunger) to keep the chillies down. Works very well.
Question:
When you “burp” the jars, doesn’t it fill up with air? Affecting the anaerobic process?
Thanks
R
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Nice tip on the bodem. Kahm yeast will float at the top and is whitish in color. Mold is typically a blue or green color, though it can be white, and it is fuzzier. Check the smell, too. If it smells bad, that's not a good thing. Also, yes, when you burp the jars, you do run the risk of contamination. It is best to do it quickly, or use an airlock system. I've been using the Mason Top Lids and am happy with them. There's a link to them in the text above.
Rex says
Hi. Not sure if this has been asked.. I made my mash...did the fermentation...got some great sauce. Now I have left over mash, which I thought would make a great relish. Any advise or recipe on how to make a relish from my unused mash?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Rex, yes, you can use it to make a relish. Follow my Hot Pepper Relish Recipe using the mash. I think it would be great!
Rex says
Thanks. That worked great..almost better than the hot sauce...
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great!!
Virgilio says
Hi , have tons of serrano peppers , can i do The fermenting proces in 200 liters plastic Containers ?(plastic drums) and , does that amount of peppers (mash) Will call for extra care or precautions?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Virgilio, I have never fermented a batch that large. As long as you follow proper safety protocols and everything is properly cleaned and covered, I'm sure you'd be fine. You might look into how commercial operations operate.
Brac says
When I’m fermenting, I’m using 5 kilos of peppers, which is yielding me 6 Liters when processed, during the initial fermentation, I’m getting expansion to almost twice that amount, which is making it difficult to find a proper container to not have too much headspace once it has “calmed down”. Any suggestions?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Brac, are you using jars with airlocks? The gas is causing the expansion, I would suspect, but should be able to be released through your airlock or through burping the gases. You may need to use larger containers.
Jacques says
Awesome site guys, can’t believe it took me this long to find it!
Can I use distilled water for the brine? We don’t have specific ‘chlorine free’ water in South Africa.
Thanks for the help!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jacques. Yes, you can use distilled water for vegetable ferments. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Chris says
Yes, distilled works. Some people will use tap water and leave it out 24 hours on your countertop because chlorine is unstable (so I've heard).
Ed Christopher says
Love the site and all the information. A few weeks ago I made a Ghost sauce and it turned out great. I am about to venture into fermenting two different peppers I grew this year. Aji Amarillos and Ghosts. For the Ajis I am thinking that I will just make the pepper mash without water. I do not want to dilute their beautiful flavor. Am I right in my thinking that the water brine method would dilute the flavor or, actually give me more flavorful liquid increasing my final yield? Needless to say the more yield I can get with degrading it the better. Also, for the mash method, 1 teaspoon of salt to a pound of peppers does not sound like much salt, using canning salt. Any comments or suggestions? I know I am overthinking this but is my third year with the Ajis and they are my pride and joy. I am also growing them in the Chicago region.
For the Ghost Peppers I plan to use the water brine method given that they are thin walled. I am planning to add some garlic to both but I still have some time to think about it since the peppers are still ripening. I got a late start getting the plants started this year. Thanks for this website.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hey, Ed. I don't think the brine method affects flavor, really, so both methods are good from my perspective. As for the salt, it may sound like a lot, but that briny environment is important to stop the growth of bad bacteria. You still have pepper ripening? I'm also in the Chicago area and had to pick my peppers quite a while back. Let me know how it all turns out for you. Please follow up with a quick report. I and my readers would love to hear!
Ed Christopher says
Hey Mike. The deed is done. Processed about 1.2 pounds of Aji's . They filled the quart jar about 2/3rds. Added the brine and weight and will just wait. I didn't like the idea of any floating mash around the edges of the weight so I took some whole Ajis and and sliced them open and pressed them on top of the mash before adding the weight it worked great. Also did about 11 ounces of Ghost.
We battled frost taking the plants in at night and covering others as long as we could. We finally lost the battle about 1.5 weeks ago, picked everything and did the banana in the bag with the peppers trick to help the ripening process. We still have about a pound or more the Ajis that are partially ripe so I will see if they continue to ripen. I will dehydrate them and use the flakes.
I also have 1 Rocoto plant that I took inside. It has three peppers that I am hoping make it to adulthood. I did not get good germination with my Rocotos this year and the few pants that did survive never pollinated. Needless to say I might be buying seeds again. Oh, it reminds me. I think rocotos cross pollinate very easy. Last year I had two plants that the ripe peppers turned orange like the Ajis and were not as hot as they should be.f The seeds from them never did germinate. Sorry for running on. I will try to report on the fermentation and sauce around the new year.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Ed!
Jan says
Hi
Can I use kombucha to give chill is a kick start?
Regards
Jan
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Jan, yes, you can use kombucha or brine from a previous ferment to get you going. Let me know how it goes.
Brandon says
I had a small mental lapse and used tap water instead of my non-chlorinated water when I made my mash. Do you have any advice moving forward to save the sauce? Can I make a non fermented sauce out of it? I’m guessing it won’t ferment because of the chlorine. It’s my year’s end batch so I’m trying to save it if possible. As always, thank you for all the help.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Brandon, if fermentation doesn't start, you should still be able to use the batch. Just check it for any weird contamination. I would process the peppers with a normal recipe and cook it down, etc. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Mario Piper says
I just mashed some ghost peppers and naga Dorset peppers. I added the sal water brine, but added a bit too much. I’m in a conundrum now. I want to drain it a bit so that the water just covers it, but I don’t want to waste any of the capsainoids. What to do?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Mario, you can leave it as it, or add more peppers to use the brine. If you really feel you need to drain, best to do it sooner rather than later. Let me know how it goes.
john franz says
I wish that you would give us a percentage of salt by weight. For example, when I make sauerkraut I have learned to weigh the ingredients that are going into the crock and multiply by .02 (2 percent) to see how much salt I need. Then I weight out that much salt. To give a volume, by tablespoon, is not accurate. Different salts have different size crystals and therefore different volumes. But I get confused when I'm adding something like water (no water goes into sauerkraut since the liquid from the mashed cabbage is enough). I guess I'm going to make the mash of chiles, add enough spring water to cover and then figure out how much it all weighs subtracting the weight of the jar of course and then multiply by 2%. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
John, I see different percentages from different resources. I shoot for between 3-5%, as peppers are a bit more prone to mold that other vegetables. Some people go with 1.5%, while others will go up to 10% for mash. I feel about 5% is fine, but you can go even lower if you're concerned about the amount of salt. Higher concentrations of salt will result in a slower ferment, but too low and you run the risk of letting the bad bacteria a foothold.
Rhea Pappas says
Hey, hoping to have some help. I did this and it's been about 7 days. The peppers are not changing color, but they definitely smell like thai chilies. I have noticed some black spots on a couple of the peppers, but didn't know if they were there prior. Should I be worried. I filled a quart jar 2/3 full and put 3.5 tablespoons of salt and filled with enough water to cover the peppers. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Rhea, I'm not sure if those dark spots are rot, but it's not a good sign. It would be rot from before you started, which could permeate the brine. Yuck. You may want to remove those and check them.
Matt Johnson says
Firstly, I love this website. Good work! Last weekend I harvested my chillis, made 3 of your sauces and decided to make a mash of everything that was left (Trinidad scorpion, naga, Orange habs and some prairie fire).
Now onto my question(s)
I used the wet brine method. My mash has risen to the top. Do you think I should just stir this all up again and try to push the mash down (I don’t have any weights or anything involved)?
Would I need to sterilise anything I use to stir/push?
Should I add more fresh brine to ensure they are well submerged (although I’m sure it will just rise to the new level!)?
Thanks in advance, Matt
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Matt, yes, you can sterilize a spoon and just sort of shove everything down. It's important that it stays below the brine to stay protected. You can always add in a bit more of the brine to make sure it's all covered. Let me know how it turns out for you.
kevin says
love the site and already made the ghost pepper pineapple mango hot sauce. it came out great and made some for friends and family who also enjoyed it.
I am trying to ferment a small batch of a 3 pepper blend of Ghost peppers, Thai Hot Chili and Cayenne for the first time. I have added small amounts of peppers to the mash since I first started it. I can clearly see the fermentation happening but not sure what type of funky smell I should be expecting.
thanks for the help kevin
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Kevin, you might not get a funky smell. Sometimes it's a bit sour/acidic as it ferments, though if you get kham yeast growth, you might notice that grows extra sour, though you can skim it off the top. Let me know how it turns out for you.
kevin says
just made my first batch of hot sauce using the three pepper mash, it came out excellent, I used your siracha recipe loosely. I had used malted vinegar and added paprika , and extra garlic and a few other ingredients. friends and family already are asking me when the next batch is coming. got the last batch of peppers (and much larger amount) starting again to ferment(I might be getting addicted). thanks again for everything , love the site and been recommending it to everyone I talk to
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks a lot, Kevin! I'm glad to be helpful. Thanks for spreading the word!