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Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

Name: Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 fresh jalapeno peppers (about 12 ounces by weight); 1 small red onion (chopped (about 4 ounces)); 4-5 garlic cloves; ½ cup Neutral oil (use corn oil, avocado oil, or a neutral vegetable oil); 1 teaspoon salt

by Mike Hultquist · Apr 8, 2022 · 112 Comments

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This creamy jalapeno sauce is popular in Tex-Mex and Southwest cuisine, perfect for tacos, as a salsa or dip, only 5 ingredients!

This Creamy Jalapeno Sauce is going to be your new favorite sauce. It's perfect for spicy food lovers, and I think you'll find it as addictive as I do.

There is a fantastic Tex-Mex restaurant in Florida that we like to visit when we are in the area that serves up some incredible food, and it is here where I first encountered this creamy jalapeno sauce.

They served it on the side. I took one taste and was instantly hooked. As a cook, I asked the waiter how they made it. She just smiled and said, "The cooks won't say exactly, but everyone asks."

"It's so creamy. Does it have crema in it? Cream cheese? Or avocado?" I asked.

"No. It's just boiled jalapeno peppers."

WHAT?

It took me some time to figure out how to make this stuff, but I FINALLY did, and as this is one of my very favorite sauce recipes ever, I'm sharing it with you. It's really a Tex-Mex thing, and I've since learned that you'll find this creamy jalapeno sauce all over.

I think you'll love it.

The Secret of this Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

So, if this creamy jalapeno sauce does not use dairy of any kind or even a creamy avocado, then how does it get so creamy? Oil. That is the secret.

It's an emulsification of jalapenos and oil and you'll find it used widely in Tex-Mex and Southwest cuisine.

The jalapeno peppers (and onion, in this case) are emulsified with a neutral oil in a food processor or blender until it becomes very creamy.

It's perfect for spooning over tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more, but it's also awesome when served as a jalapeno dip or creamy jalapeno salsa with crispy tortilla chips.

It's seriously easy to make, and it only uses 5 primary ingredients! I've never seen anything like this in a grocery store.

So let's talk about how to make creamy jalapeno sauce, shall we?

Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Ingredients

Jalapeno Peppers.
Onion.
Garlic.
Oil. Use a neutral oil, like vegetable oil or avocado oil.
Salt.

How to make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce - The Recipe Method

First, slice the stems from the jalapeno peppers and add the peppers to a medium sized pot along with the onion. I measured out 12 ounces of jalapeno pepper to 6 ounces red onion.

Cover them with water.

Bring the mixture to a quick boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the jalapeno peppers soften up.

They will turn dull green and you can pierce them with a fork easily, but do not let them become mushy.

This is what they look like, robbed of their color.

Strain out the liquid, but keep the liquid on hand.

Add the boiled jalapenos and onion to a blender or food processor along with the garlic and salt.

Process until smooth, then slowly drizzle in the oil while processing. The jalapeno sauce will become nice and creamy, about 4-5 minutes or so.

What's happening is an emulsification, which is basically causing everything to become a single sauce that thickens up and becomes creamy.

See how creamy it is? Taste and add more salt as desired.

If you’d like a thinner sauce, add in a few tablespoons of the reserved boiling water. Mine was perfect without adding any of the reserved water.

SO GOOD!

Serving Your Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Use this jalapeno sauce as a table condiment. Spoon it over any type of taco or burrito, taco salad dressing, cheese or chicken quesadillas, pretty much anything you'd serve up at a Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant.

Serve it as a creamy jalapeno dip or jalapeno salsa with tortilla chips. It's perfect this way.

I never want pork tacos without this stuff. It's really THAT GOOD. Try it on my Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce or my Spicy Breakfast Tacos recipe, too!

Variations on this Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

As much as I LOVE this awesome jalapeno sauce, as a creative cook, I can never leave well enough alone. I just have to play around with recipes.

As such, consider this as a base recipe. You can easily add in other ingredients and experiment. Want a pop of freshness? Add some lime juice. Cilantro would be GREAT here.

Try making this with FRESH jalapeno peppers and onions, without boiling them, or with pickled jalapenos for a vinegary pop. You can also make this with other peppers. Consider a serrano or habanero version. Extra heat!

If you're looking for more of a hot sauce vibe, add in a bit of vinegar for some tang. And, despite its wonderful creaminess, try adding in some sour cream or crema, or even a nicely ripe avocado for another flavorful version.

You can also add more seasonings as you wish, such as cumin, garlic powder, chili powder and more. This is the creamy jalapeño sauce you need in your life.

Patty's Perspective

It’s unreal how creamy this sauce is when you look at the ingredients. It’s silky smooth and gives me endless ideas of what food to pair with it. And now I'm obsessed with it. I can't help grabbing a bag of chips and eating it like salsa.

I hope you enjoy it!

Try Some of My Other Popular Jalapeno Sauce Recipes

See my other Sauce Recipes and Hot Sauce 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.

Creamy Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

This creamy jalapeno sauce is popular in Tex-Mex and Southwest cuisine, perfect for tacos, as a salsa or dip, only 5 ingredients!

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course, Salsa, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Buffalo sauce, condiment, jalapeno

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 33kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings:

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4.98 from 36 votes

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Ingredients

8 fresh jalapeno peppers about 12 ounces by weight
1 small red onion chopped (about 4 ounces)
4-5 garlic cloves
½ cup Neutral oil use corn oil, avocado oil, or a neutral vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Slice the stems from the jalapeno peppers and add them to a medium sized pot along with the onion.
Cover with water and bring to a quick boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the jalapeno peppers soften up. They will turn dull green and you can pierce them with a fork easily, but do not let them become mushy.
Strain but keep the liquid on hand.
Add the boiled jalapenos and onion to a food processor along with the garlic, oil and salt. Process until very smooth and creamy, about 4-5 minutes.
If you’d like a thinner sauce, add in a few tablespoons of the reserved boiling water.
Adjust for salt and serve!

Video

Notes

Yields 2+ cups.

Heat Factor: Medium. Jalapeno peppers pack a decent level of heat, though they can vary. It won't be very hot for a seasoned chilihead, but it is still highly flavorful. You can up the heat factor with some spicy chili flakes, or try making a serrano pepper version.

Keeps for about 1 week in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 33kcal Fat: 3g Sodium: 72mg Potassium: 15mg Vitamin A: 40IU Vitamin C: 4.5mg Calcium: 2mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 4/8/22 to include new information, photos and video. It was originally published on 7/13/18.

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