Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water is a very traditional Hawaiian condiment used similar to hot sauce. The flavorful hot pepper water is made with Hawaiian sea salt, garlic, vinegar, Hawaiian chili peppers, and water. It is easy to make and perfect for those who love to eat hot foods!
"Best chili pepper water!"
★★★★★- Dee
Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water- What Is it?
Hawaiian chili pepper water is a condiment, similar to hot sauce, only with much less vinegar and much more water.
It is spicy, garlicky, and salty. You drizzle it on anything you would a hot sauce from rice, fish, chicken, eggs, stews, vegetables.
The water consistency makes the sauce very runny, but if you like garlic and hot food, you will become immediately hooked. Enjoy! Xoxo- Katie
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Tips for making Chili Pepper Water
Here are some tips for making Hawaiian Chili Pepper water.
- Hawaiian sea salt is a MUST! It is NOT the same with regular salt.
- In Hawaii, they use Hawaiian chili peppers. I can't source them here, so I substituted Thai chili peppers. They worked great.
- Some Hawaiians use ginger, some don't. It is totally up to you to use the ginger in the recipe. My sister in law does not, so I don't.
- Some recipes put a splash of soy sauce, sriracha, or pineapple juice to change it up. I kept it more traditional. You can add either of those in for a different flavor.
- Last, some recipes use rice vinegar (miran) instead of white vinegar. I made mine with white vinegar, but I am going to try the rice vinegar is good too.
How long will chili pepper last?
If you store the chili pepper in the refrigerator in an air tight container it will last several months. However, in my home it will only last a couple of weeks at the most because we eat it on everything!
About the Recipe
Years ago, my brother Uriah, moved to Hawaii to work at an animal sanctuary to help with injured birds. His stay was supposed to be temporary... however one year has since then turned into many years.
Shortly after moving to Hawaii, he met a very sweet girl named Dee that he began dating. They fell in love and were married. I was lucky enough to attend their wedding in O'ahu. I was able to see and experience first hand why everyone falls in love with Hawaii.
I love the culture, the food, the scenery....It is a magical place. Every year for Christmas, they send my family a Hawaiian care package of delicious Hawaiian treats such as macadamia nuts, chocolates, plum wine, and cashews. Dee asked if I wanted anything special this year and I told her to send me Hawaiian Hot Sauce.
She explained that Hawaiians really doesn't use hot sauce, instead they use something called "pepper water." I was immediately like, "What is Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water?" Dee sent me a homemade bottle that she made herself. I fell in love with it.
The hot and spicy flavors were so delicious. I went through that bottle in less than a week. I decided to make a huge batch for me with enough to share with my friends. I had saved a bunch of little bottles and filled those bottles up. I gave out bottles to my foodie friends that accepted them graciously.
If you store the chili pepper in the refrigerator in an air tight container it will last several months. However, in my home it will only last a couple of weeks at the most because we eat it on everything!
📖 Recipe
Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water
Ingredients
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 ½ teaspoons Hawaiian Sea Salt
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 6 Hawaiian chili peppers or more if you want it hotter
Instructions
- Finely chop 3 garlic and 6 or more peppers.4 garlic cloves, 6 Hawaiian chili peppers
- Add garlic, peppers, 1 ½ teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt, 2 ounces vinegar, 12 ounces water to a pot. Cook to a boil. Boil one minute.1 ½ teaspoons Hawaiian Sea Salt, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups water
- Remove from heat. Cool mixture, then refrigerate. Let stand 2 to 3 days before using. Store up to 6 months in refrigerator.
Notes
- We like our chili pepper water on the hotter side. If you like yours mild, use 3 to 4 peppers. If you like yours even hotter.... add more! If I am making a bottle just for me, I add 10 because I love spicy food.
- If you live outside of Hawaii and do not have access to Hawaiian Chili Peppers, Thai peppers make a great substitute.
Louise says
I congratulate you in a pretty presentation. I can't wait to make your recipe.
Dee Jones says
Are these dried or fresh chili peppers?
Katie Crenshaw says
They are fresh chili peppers.
Gary says
Love it!❤️
Ben says
I made this using left over hot pepper brine from making fermented peppers and it was delicious since I only needed to add vinegar and garlic.
Leslie says
I just love this recipe idea for a homemade gift! What a fun, unique twist on hot sauce!
Lauren Michael Harris says
My husband and I loved this! It was so easy to make and tasted amazing - we have quite the collection of spicy sauces, but this one is definitely in this top of the list!
Tammy says
Oh my this sounds beautiful! I have to try this...I've never heard of Hawaiian sea salt but I'll have to find where to buy it for this. Love the spicy heat!
Jamie says
Wow! This looks like great condiments for our dish! Looks so yummy too! Plus the packaging makes it so enticing and tempting!
veenaazmanov says
Definitely need to stock a bottle in my Pantry. Hot combination and perfect homemade recipe too.
Jessica says
How interesting! I love hot sauce, and so does my husband 😉 I'll be on the lookout for that Hawaiian salt so I can make this, it sounds just right!
Ann says
I have not heard of this sauce before. Sounds delicious, and very versatile. Thanks for the recipe share! Excited to give it a try!
Megan says
Dangerously good and addictive. Me and the hubby love this pepper water so much. Thanks for a great recipe.
Amanda Dixon says
Love this sauce! I was gifted some Hawaiian sea salt from a friend for the holidays and was looking for a great recipe to go with it. This sauce has the perfect kick. Can't wait to put it on just about everything!
Dee says
Best chili pepper water!
Roberta Westbrooks says
Aloha......I am a local gal from the waianae coast line.
I now live in Clarksville,Tennessee.
I love chilly peppers, I ca make them. Love it all.