Red Robin Island Heat sauce is a sweet and spicy hot sauce made from tomatoes, jalapeno chilis, garlic, and onion. It has been a Red Robin fan-favorite since its introduction over 35 years ago.
And now you don’t have to visit Red Robin to get this great taste of the islands.
I’ve put together an authentic Red Robin Island Heat sauce with all the spicy-sweet flavor of the original that’s easy to make in the comfort of your kitchen.
This super versatile sauce will add the perfect amount of spice to all your favorite dishes, from grilled chicken to burgers and even rice and beans.
So read on to learn how to make a delicious Red Robin Island Heat sauce that will give great Caribbean flavor to all your favorite dishes.
Now dat’s di bomb, mon.
What Do You Need To Make Red Robin Island Heat Sauce
Ingredients
Fresh ingredients are essential to making a delicious Red Robin Island Heat sauce.
Using overripe or sub-par produce can affect the taste and texture.
Roma Tomatoes
Look for fresh, firm tomatoes.
If you can’t find Romas, any other firm, ripe tomato will work. If you can’t find decent fresh ones, you can substitute a can of diced tomatoes.
Fresh Garlic
Intensifies the flavor. You can substitute garlic powder.
However, make sure you don’t use garlic salt, which will overpower your sauce.
Onion
Deepens the flavor of the sauce.
Feel free to substitute a red onion for a more intense flavor.
Jalapeno Peppers
Give the sauce its heat. I find that two jalapenos add the perfect amount of heat, but you can reduce or add more depending on how hot you like it.
Also, consider using a habanero instead of jalapenos for a more exotic heat.
Fresh Cilantro
Look for fresh cilantro (no limp stems), or it can give your sauce a soapy flavor.
However, I don’t recommend using dried cilantro as it can make your sauce taste bitter.
Lime Juice
If at all possible, use fresh lime.
If you don’t have access to fresh limes, you can use two tablespoons of bottled lime juice instead.
Ground Cumin
A popular spice used throughout the Caribbean that gives your sauce an authentic island flavor.
Salt and Black Pepper
I recommend using coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
The salt unlocks the other flavors, but be sure you taste it, so you don’t over-season your sauce.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Medium saucepan
- Spoon or spatula
- Blender
How To Make Red Robin Island Heat Sauce
Step One: Heat the oil in a medium saucepan at low-medium heat.
Step Two: While the oil is heating, peel and mince the garlic. Dice the onions and jalapenos.
Step Three: When the oil is hot, add the garlic, onion, and jalapeno and saute at low-medium heat until soft, approximately five minutes. It’s okay if they turn a little brown, but you don’t want them to burn.
Step Four: Remove them from the heat.
Step Five: Next, cut the tomatoes in half and put them in a blender. Add the sauteed garlic mixture and the rest of the ingredients and process until smooth, one to two minutes.
Step Six: Return the mixture to the saucepan and simmer at low heat, frequently stirring until thickened, approximately 10-15 minutes. You can add a little water if you want a thinner sauce.
Step Seven: Taste the sauce and adjust any ingredients to get your desired flavor—season with salt and pepper.
Step Eight: Serve hot or chill in the fridge.
Enjoy!
Other Things To Consider When Making Red Robin Island Heat Sauce
You Can Adjust or Substitute Ingredients
This recipe makes an authentic Red Robin Island Heat sauce.
However, feel free to substitute any ingredients or vary the amounts to suit your taste. For example, for a sweeter sauce, add more honey.
Or up the heat by adding another jalapeno or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
I like to use a sweet onion instead of yellow for a subtler and sweeter flavored Island Heat sauce.
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules regarding sauces. Let your taste be your guide, and enjoy experimenting.
Who knows, you might discover an even better version than the original.
What Can I Eat With Red Robin Island Heat Sauce?
Red Robin Island Heat sauce is traditionally served as a dipping sauce for chicken wings. But this versatile sauce has the perfect amount of spice that goes great with a variety of your favorite dishes.
- Use it instead of ketchup on burgers to spice up a backyard classic.
- Adds the perfect amount of exotic heat to all kinds of seafood and grilled steaks.
- Makes a delicious grilled island red snapper.
- Serve it over red beans and rice as a Jamaican-inspired side dish.
- And a personal favorite, grilled chicken with Red Robin Island Heat sauce served with a blended margarita. Now that’s living!
Make More Than You Need!
Red Robin Island Heat sauce spices up so many dishes that you’ll want to make more. So go ahead and double the recipe.
It keeps well in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze it for up to three months. It’s quick and easy to reheat or serve chilled.
Red Robin Island Heat is my go-to sauce whenever I crave some exotic island heat.
Red Robin Island Heat Sauce Recipe
This Red Robin Island Heat Sauce Recipe provides the perfect balance of sweet and spice. It's incredibly versatile and works with a variety of dishes!
Ingredients
- 6 Roma tomatoes
- 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
- 2 medium-sized white or yellow onions, diced
- 4 Cloves of garlic, peeled and finely minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Juice from one lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan at low-medium heat.
- Peel and finely mince the garlic. Dice the onion and jalapeno.
- When the oil is hot, add the garlic, onion, and jalapeno and saute at low-medium heat until soft, approximately five minutes. It's OK if they turn a little brown, but you don't want them to burn. Remove from heat.
- Cut the tomatoes in half and put them in a blender. Add the sauteed garlic mixture, honey, fresh cilantro, cumin, and lime juice and process until smooth, one to two minutes.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and simmer under low heat until thickened, approximately 10-15 minutes. You can add a little water if you would like a thinner sauce.
- Taste the sauce and adjust any ingredients to get your desired flavor.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot or chill in the fridge.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Want more tomato flavor? Add up to a tablespoon of tomato paste.
- Substitute habanero for the jalapeno for a more authentic island flavor.
- Add a few drops of liquid smoke for a smokier Island Heat sauce.
- Use a red onion instead of the yellow for more onion flavor, or substitute a sweet onion for a milder sauce.
- For a little more zing, add some lime zest.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 31.5Total Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 32mgCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0.7g
Other Red Robin guides and recipes you may want to check out!
- Red Robin Bistro Sauce Recipe
- Red Robin Buzz Sauce Recipe
- What Is Red Robin Buzz Sauce?
- Red Robin Campfire Sauce Nutrition
- What Is Campfire Sauce?
Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.