Salsa Brava (Bravas Sauce Recipe) Recipe
Salsa Brava, also known as Bravas Sauce, is a spicy and smoky Spanish sauce perfect for serving with patatas bravas or as a zesty condiment for various dishes. This recipe combines smoky paprika, roasted red pepper, and fire-roasted tomatoes to create a bold and flavorful sauce with a pleasant heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 ½ cups 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons hot smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes or fresh diced tomatoes
- 1 roasted red pepper
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or any vinegar of choice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onion. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions become translucent and soft, releasing their sweetness to form the base of the sauce.
- Add spices and tomatoes: Stir in the hot smoked paprika, hot paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Then add the fire-roasted diced tomatoes and the roasted red pepper. Pour in the sherry vinegar. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the sauce: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Blend until smooth: Turn off the heat. Carefully transfer the cooked mixture into a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender directly in the pan. Blend until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
- Season and serve: Taste the sauce and season with salt as needed. Serve warm alongside patatas bravas, grilled meats, or as a flavorful dip. Enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your heat preference; omit if you prefer a milder sauce.
- Sherry vinegar adds authentic flavor, but any vinegar such as red wine or apple cider can be substituted.
- For a chunkier texture, pulse the blender for less time or leave some pieces unblended.
- This sauce can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated gently before serving.
Keywords: Salsa Brava, Bravas Sauce, Spanish Sauce, Spicy Sauce, Patatas Bravas Sauce, Smoky Sauce
