FOOD NEWS
Hot Pepper Butter Might Not Be What You Expect But It’s Everything You Need
BY JULIA HOLLAND
Hot pepper butter may sound like a spicy, chili-infused dairy spread, but this condiment contains no butter. Its flavor is closer to mustard, and it adds a kick to any dish.
This tart, sweet, and spicy sauce with a thick and rich texture can be made with any of your favorite chili peppers, plus mustard, vinegar, sugar, and even sweet bell peppers.
Some recipes call for banana peppers, Hungarian peppers, or bell peppers with jalapeños or serranos. The chili heat balances the tangy sweetness of sugar, vinegar, and mustard.
To make this sauce, add fresh peppers blended into a paste into a pot of boiling water, mustard, vinegar, salt, and flour. Stir the ingredients as they slowly simmer and thicken.
The result is a butter-like condiment with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sweet, tangy, hot flavor. It goes well with sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and more.
Hot pepper butter is also a great addition to a cheese plate or charcuterie board, or as a dressing for salads and coleslaw, a pizza or deviled egg topping, and even a steak sauce.