This copycat Nando's peri peri sauce is a must-try! It is aromatic, delicious, and by far the easiest sauce you can ever make!
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If you ask me, Nando's makes one of the best chicken (not sponsored)! I am a Nando's girl, through and through! And that is why I was so disappointed, when I found out that the restaurant chain does not exist here in Germany (at least that's how it is, for now). So what do you do when you cannot find your favorite restaurant's sauce? You make your own, of course!
why this homemade nando's peri peri sauce recipe works
- Easy prep! You get to prepare your own flavorful sauce at home with just a handful of ingredients.
- Vegan and vegetarian!
- Easy on the pocket! Making your own peri peri sauce is way cheaper!
- Healthy! It is made using wholesome ingredients and has no added preservatives!
✨You guys know how much I like recreating my favorite restaurant dishes at home! My Homemade Peri Peri Seasoning and Blueberry Bliss Tropical Smoothie are just a few examples, that I totally recommend that you try out!
what is peri peri sauce?
Peri peri sauce, also known as piri piri sauce, is a hot sauce that originated in the Southern-African Portuguese-speaking countries of Mozambique and Angola. It is made from African bird's eye chili peppers, also known as peri peri peppers, which are blended with spices, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and oil. Peri peri sauce is known for its spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor, and it is often used as a marinade for grilled chicken, vegetables, fish, and other dishes.
And just like twins are related but not the same, Peri peri sauce is related to but not the same as the Eastern, and Central African pili pili sauce, particularly popular in Congo, Tanzania, and the coastal towns of Kenya. You can read more about the difference between pili pili and peri peri sauce here.
peri peri sauce ingredients
Here is a summary of the ingredients you will need to make nandos-style peri peri sauce, as well as possible options for substitution. See the full measurements in the recipe card provided below.
- sunflower seed oil - or your preferred choice of vegetable cooking oil.
- fruit - African bird eye chillis and red or orange bell peppers. You can use thai red chilis or habeneros, in place of the bird eye chilis.
- vegetables - onion, garlic (not pictured), and the grated zest and juice of one lemon.
- spices - cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.
- herbs - fresh or dried rosemary, and some fresh parsley.
- other (condiments) - salt, sugar, and red wine vinegar.
how to make nando's style peri peri sauce
This is a summary of how to make nando's style peri peri sauce. For detailed instructions please see the recipe card provided below.
- Add all the ingredients (with the exception of the lemon juice and grated lemon rind) to your blender and process to a sauce.
- Reduce the sauce in a saucepan (unlike the African pili pili sauce, we are only allowing it to reduce for a few minutes, and not frying it in heated oil).
- Add the lemon juice and rind, then stir to combine.
- Use your peri peri sauce as preferred or transfer it to sterilized airtight containers and keep in the fridge or freezer for later.
useful tips
- To make sure the peri peri sauce retains its tangy-sweet flavor and to prevent it from developing a bitter taste, avoid using aged parsley or rosemary leaves.
- This recipe is very spicy. For this reason, feel free to use more or less of the chili peppers, depending on how spicy you like your peri peri sauce.
- Roasted bell peppers add an extra depth of flavor, so I recommend using these if you have them. Otherwise, just use regular fresh red bell peppers, without roasting.
how to use peri peri sauce
One of the reasons we love this sauce is how versatile it is! Here are a few ways to use it:-
- Marinade: use it as a marinade for your grilled or roasted meats and vegetables, such as pork, beef, roast potatoes, and lamb. Peri peri chicken is a classic that you have to try!
- In cooking: Add it when cooking stews or use it as a stir-fry sauce.
- Condiment: The spicy and tangy flavor of the sauce adds depth and flavor to cooked food. Use your peri peri sauce as a dipping sauce for vegetables, chips, bread, or even vegetable sticks.
- Salad dressing: we like to combine ours with some olive oil, lemon juice, and honey to make a flavorful and spicy salad dressing.
- Love to have your pizza spicy? Then try using peri peri sauce as a pizza topping!
- Combine it with some mayonnaise to make spicy mayonaise.
- Sandwich spread: Use it as a sandwich spread to add some heat and flavor to your sandwiches and wraps.
refrigeration and freezing
The best way to store this nando's style sauce is to keep it in airtight, sterilised bottles or jars. If stored in a sterilized airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade peri peri sauce will keep for 2-4 weeks.
Want to store it longer? Then simply keep it in the freezer! When stored in suitable airtight jars or containers, homemade peri peri sauce will keep for up to 12 months in the freezer. To use, allow the sauce to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Because the quality and flavor of homemade peri peri sauce may start to degrade over time, you want to try and use it within the recommended timeframes for best results.
more world cuisine recipes
These international recipes are a must-try!
- Zaalouk Recipe (Moroccan Tomato and Aubergine Sauce)
- Kuku Choma (East-African Grilled Chicken Recipe)
- Speculaas Spice (popular Dutch spice that is normally used around the Advent period).
- Mascapone Chicken and Mushroom
Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this Nando's copycat peri peri sauce recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below. Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Nando's Peri Peri Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup sunflower seed oil or your preferred choice of vegetable oil
- 1 cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup African bird eye chilis (use between 2-5 chillis, if you prefer your peri peri sauce less spicy)
- 3 roasted red or orange bell peppers
- 1 red onion
- 7 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon smoked or sweet paprika (ground paprika)
- a handful of fresh rosemary (or 1½ tablespoon dried rosemary)
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- 2½ teaspoon salt
- 2½ sugar (optional)
- grated zest and juice of one lemon
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients with the exception of the grated lemon rind and lemon juice to your food processor. Blend into a sauce. How smooth or chunky the sauce should be will totally depend on your preference.
- Allow a small saucepan to heat under medium heat. Add the blended peri peri sauce and allow it to reduce.
- Once done, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool. Stir in the lemon juice and grated lemon zest. Use your peri peri sauce or keep it in sterilised jars or bottles in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- How smooth or chunky the sauce should be will totally depend on your preference.
- To make sure the peri peri sauce retains its tangy-sweet flavor and to prevent it from developing a bitter taste, avoid using aged parsley or rosemary leaves.
- Use more or less of the chili peppers, depending on how spicy you like your peri peri sauce.
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