Description

This homemade vegan chili sauce is a flavorful condiment made from ripe tomatoes, aromatic spices, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. Perfect for adding a zesty kick to meats, burgers, or using as a base for sauces and marinades, this sauce offers a balanced blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes. Made on the stovetop and simmered to perfection, it yields a smooth, thick sauce that’s ideal for everyday use and can be stored for future meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Wet Ingredients

½ cup apple cider vinegar

Sweeteners

¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Seasonings & Spices

1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

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Instructions

Prepare and cook the vegetables: In a large saucepan, combine the peeled and chopped tomatoes, finely chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the mixture begins to thicken.
Add vinegar, sugar, and spices: Stir in the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, salt, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground cloves, and cayenne pepper if using. Continue simmering for another 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce reaches your desired thickness and flavor concentration.
Puree the sauce: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer the mixture in batches to a blender. Puree the mixture until smooth, achieving a consistent texture for the sauce.
Simmer to blend flavors: Return the pureed sauce to the saucepan and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.
Cool and store: Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly. Transfer to sterilized jars or containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

The chili sauce can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months without any loss of flavor.
For an ultra-smooth texture, strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve after pureeing.
Use this versatile sauce as a condiment for grilled meats, burgers, or as a flavorful base for various sauces and marinades.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 25
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg