Nandos Garlic Sauce Recipe

If you like bold garlic flavor, you’ll love this Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe.

Combining sweet and spicy Portuguese peri peri sauce with the rich taste of garlic and lemon, this sauce has a bold yet complex flavor.

You’ll taste onion, garlic, peppers, spices, and sweet and sour, all in a single bite.

Yet, with so much flavor, this Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe is surprisingly easy to make. After roasting the red peppers, onion, and garlic, just add all the ingredients to a blender and puree.

It’s that simple.

Yet, your guests will swear you spent hours making it.

So if you crave a bold garlic taste, read on for the best Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe that you can have ready in less than 15 minutes.

What Do You Need To Make Nandos Garlic Sauce

Fresh ingredients are crucial to making a great-tasting Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe.

Look for firm, ripe produce to get that authentic Nandos flavor.

Ingredients

Roasted Red Peppers

Roasting brings out the sweetness of the peppers.

You can use jarred roasted red peppers if you don’t want to roast your own, but be sure to drain the liquid before using.

Roasted Yellow or White Onion

When you roast onions, you unlock the sugars and soften the flavor.

You can omit the roasting, but your sauce will have a more robust onion flavor.

Roasted Garlic

You unlock its soft, nutty flavor by roasting it.

For a more intense garlic flavor, use raw garlic instead of roasted.

Red Thai Chilis

Give your sauce its heat.

Change the number to make your sauce as hot or mild as you want.

Fresh Lemon

The lemon juice and zest give your sauce a bright citrus taste that pairs well with the chilis and garlic.

Look for firm, fresh lemons for the best flavor.

Olive Oil

A staple in Mediterranean cooking with its distinctive nutty flavor.

Feel free to substitute canola or sunflower oil if you don’t have olive oil.

Distilled White Vinegar

The acid cuts through the olive oil and gives your sauce some tang.

Honey

Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance out the spice.

You can substitute molasses for a more intense flavor.

Paprika

This recipe uses both regular and smoked paprika to give the sauce a spicy, smokey taste.

Oregano

Has a slightly bitter and earthy flavor.

Feel free to use either fresh or dried. However, if you use fresh, be sure to double the amount.

Allspice

A popular spice in Mediterranean cooking featuring notes of cloves, nutmeg, star anise, fennel, black pepper, and cinnamon.

It has a warm, savory flavor that gives your sauce an exotic taste.

Ground Cumin

Acommon spice used throughout the Mediterranean.

Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor with a hint of citrus that adds depth to your sauce.

Ground Cayenne Pepper

Adds another dimension of heat and is entirely optional.

Salt and Pepper

The final touch that brings everything together.

Use sparingly, so you don’t over-season your sauce – no more than a pinch or two.

Equipment

• Cutting board and knife
• Oven, grill, or stovetop (for roasting the red peppers, onion, and garlic)
• Blender or food processor
• Spoon or spatula

How To Make Nandos Garlic Sauce

Step One: First, roast the red peppers, onion, and garlic using your broiler, grill, or a cast iron pan on your stovetop. You want to soften the veggies while giving them a nice char.

Step Two: Next, remove their skins and put them into a blender or food processor.

Pro Tip: place the roasted red peppers, onion, and garlic in a plastic bag and rub vigorously to remove the outer skins easily.

Step Three: Now add the rest of the ingredients and puree until well combined and your sauce is smooth.

Step Four: Taste your sauce, adjust any of the ingredients, and season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Other Things To Consider When Making Nandos Garlic Sauce

You Control The Heat

Making the perfect sauce is all about balance. And though this Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe is full of rich garlic and lemon flavor, it does pack quite a kick.

So if you don’t like your sauce quite so spicy, you can change the heat by using less Thai chilis and omitting the cayenne pepper.

What Can I Eat with Nandos Garlic Sauce?

This Nandos Garlic Sauce recipe goes great with chicken.

I like to bake mine – the sauce makes a delicious crust that keeps the chicken moist and tender.

But why limit yourself? The bold flavors will go great with so many of your favorite dishes.

• Makes a great burger topping.
• Goes great drizzled over rice.
• Brush over crusty french bread for a spicy take on bruschetta.
• Add a dollop to your eggs and toast for a spicy morning wake-up.
• The perfect marinade for grilled chicken, meats, pork, and seafood.
• Add heavy cream for a hearty and spicy red pepper soup.
• Use on all your favorite sandwiches.
• Tastes fantastic with roasted squash and eggplant.
• A bold sauce calls for a bold wine. I recommend serving it with a full-bodied Malbec or Petite Sirah.

Make More Than You Need!

With so many delicious options, you’ll want to make sure you always have this delicious sauce on hand. Plus, this sauce gets better the longer it sits.

So go ahead and double the recipe.

Extra sauce will stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Or you can freeze it for up to four months.

Use small zip locks to separate your sauce into meal-sized portions.

That way, you can pop a bag in the microwave whenever you’re craving that garlicky deliciousness.

Then, in just a minute, you’re ready to go.

Other Nandos Recipes you may want to try:

• Nandos Peri Peri Sauce Recipe