Aji Ecuadorean Hot Sauce

Add a fiery flair to your meals with Aji Ecuadorian Hot Sauce, a vibrant and zesty condiment that’s a staple in Ecuadorian cuisine. This recipe combines the rich sweetness of ripe tomatoes with the bold heat of aji peppers (or substitute with Thai chiles or serranos), balanced by fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and apple cider vinegar. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile sauce can be blended to your preferred texture, whether smooth or delightfully chunky. Perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, dolloping onto empanadas, or using as a dip for plantain chips, this hot sauce brings a burst of fresh, spicy flavor to any dish. Packed with authentic Ecuadorian ingredients and quick to prepare, it’s an irresistible addition to your homemade condiment collection!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 medium ripe tomatoes
• 4 small aji peppers (or substitute with red Thai chiles or serrano peppers)
• 1 small white onion
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

Chop the tomatoes and place them in a small saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water. Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 2

Meanwhile, finely chop the aji peppers (remove the seeds if you prefer less heat) and the white onion.

Step 3

Allow the cooked tomatoes to cool slightly, then blend them in a food processor or blender until smooth.

Step 4

Add the chopped peppers, onion, cilantro, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt to the blender. Blend the mixture until you reach your desired consistency—smooth or slightly chunky.

Step 5

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or lime juice, if needed.

Step 6

Transfer the aji sauce to a serving bowl or jar. Serve immediately, or let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	439.5 grams (439.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	217

Total Fat 14.60g	19%
Saturated Fat 2.20g	11%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1198mg	52%
Total Carbohydrate 21.40g	8%
Dietary Fiber 4.40g	16%
Total Sugars 10.50g
Protein 3.20g	6%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 51mg	4%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 769mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.2%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 37.2%