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Homemade roasted red pepper sauce in a jar.
Deborah Rainford

Quick and Easy Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

4.45 from 9 votes
This roasted red pepper sauce is a luscious, sweet, savory, and a little smokey red pepper sauce that only takes about 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 cups
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 119
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium red bell peppers cut into large chunks
  • 4 small banana shallots peeled and sliced
  • 3 cloves of garlic sliced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 8 sprigs of thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method
 

Preheat the Oven:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
Prepare the Vegetables:
  1. In a large roasting tray, combine the red pepper chunks, sliced shallots, and garlic. Ensure the vegetables are spread out in a single layer for even roasting.
Season the Vegetables:
  1. Sprinkle the brown sugar and drizzle the balsamic vinegar evenly over the vegetables.
  2. Remove the leaves from the thyme sprigs and scatter them over the mixture. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
Roast the Vegetables:
  1. Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for about 20-25 minutes. The peppers should start to char slightly, and the sugars in the vinegar and brown sugar should begin to caramelize.
Blend the Sauce:
  1. Transfer the roasted vegetables and any juices from the tray into a blender. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Strain (Optional):
  1. For an ultra-smooth texture, strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve.

Notes

  • Consistency Adjustment: If the sauce is too thick after blending, thin it out with a little water or additional balsamic vinegar to achieve your desired consistency.
  • Storage Tips: This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
  • Serving Suggestions: This versatile sauce can be used as a pasta sauce, a topping for grilled meats, a unique pizza sauce, or as a dip for crusty bread.