Easy Guajillo Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Spicy and slightly sweet, this easy guajillo sauce is a popular and versatile condiment made from dried guajillo chiles. This homemade guajillo sauce recipe adds authentic Mexican flavor to tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, marinades or grilled meats. Naturally gluten-free and vegan too.
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Rich, Flavorful Sauce for Those Who Love Some Heat
If you’re like me and enjoy a kick of heat in your meals, then boy are you gonna be in for a spicy treat!
Made from dried guajillo peppers (the dried form of the mirasol pepper), guajillo sauce is popular in Mexican cuisine.
Plus, it’s honestly the perfect addition to your meals – drizzle it over tacos, dip tortilla chips in them, use it as a marinade, or serve it alongside grilled meat.
There are just so many delicious ways to enjoy this homemade sauce recipe…and you’re gonna love it!
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make your own guajillo pepper sauce.
- Easy to Make: A batch of this super flavorful hot sauce is ready in under 30 minutes – just soak, cook, and blend!
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this guajillo chili sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free diet or vegan diet can enjoy them without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this guajillo chile sauce recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Guajillo Chiles: For the best flavor, make sure to use good-quality dried guajillo chiles that are deep red in color, pliable, and free of any cracks. Do NOT use brittle chiles which are faded in color because that means the chiles are very old and lack flavor.
- Olive Oil: I used olive oil but you can also use other types of vegetable oil if you prefer (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, etc,)
- Onion & Garlic: Fresh onion and garlic will really impart deeper flavors to this homemade guajillo chile sauce, so make sure to add them in. I used yellow onion, but white onions or red onions will work too.
- Seasonings: I used dried oregano and ground cumin for flavor. But you can also add in other dried herbs (such as dried parsley, dried thyme, etc).
- Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you can also use cane sugar, dark brown sugar, or coconut sugar if you prefer.
- Broth: I used vegetable broth to keep this recipe vegan. However, if you are not vegan, go ahead and use chicken broth for extra flavor.
How to Make Guajillo Sauce:
Soak Guajillo Chilies:Â Remove the stems and seeds from the guajillo chilies. Soak the dried chiles in hot water for 15 minutes (reserving 1 to 2 tablespoons of the soaking water for later).
Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat up the olive oil in a pan on low heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Add Sugar, Salt & Spices:Â Add salt, oregano, cumin, and brown sugar. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
Combine Ingredients in Blender: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the soaked chilies (without soaking water), vegetable broth, and the sautéed onions and garlic.
Blend Until Smooth:Â Blend until you get a smooth puree. If needed, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the soaking water to make it smoother.
Strain: Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth texture. Cool and serve with tacos or other Mexican dishes.
Dish by Dish Tips:
- How to Choose Guajillo Chiles: The best chiles for making a flavorful sauce will be deep red in color, pliable, and free of any cracks. Do NOT use brittle chiles which are faded in color because that means the chiles are very old and lack flavor.
- Strain for a Smoother Sauce: For the smoothest texture, make sure to strain the blended sauce through a fine-mesh sieve so you get rid of any pieces that were not properly blended.
- For Tanginess: Add a teaspoon of fresh lime juice if you want to have a tangy sauce.
- Storing: To store, place the guajillo chile sauce in an airtight container or mason jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Other Gluten-Free Mexican Recipes You’ll Love:
- Carnitas Street Tacos (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Mexican Shredded Beef (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Homemade Corn Tortilla Chips (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Easy Mexican Rice (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Gluten-Free Sauces and Dips You’ll Enjoy:
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Easy Guajillo Sauce (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Spicy and slightly sweet, this easy guajillo sauce is a popular and versatile condiment made from dried guajillo chiles. This homemade guajillo sauce recipe adds authentic Mexican flavor to tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, marinades or grilled meats. Naturally gluten-free and vegan too.
Ingredients
- 5 to 6 dried guajillo chiles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Soak Guajillo Chilies: Remove the stems and seeds from the guajillo chilies. Soak them in hot water for 15 minutes (reserving 1 to 2 tablespoons of the soaking water for later).
- Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat up the olive oil in a pan on low heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add Sugar, Salt & Spices: Add salt, oregano, cumin, and brown sugar. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
- Combine Ingredients in Blender: In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked chilies (without soaking water), vegetable broth, and the sautéed onions and garlic.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend until very smooth. If needed, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the soaking water to make it smoother.
- Strain Sauce: Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve for a smooth texture. Cool and serve with tacos or other Mexican dishes.
Notes
Guajillo Chiles: For the best flavor, make sure to use good-quality dried guajillo chiles that are deep red in color, pliable, and free of any cracks. Do NOT use brittle chiles which are faded in color because that means the chiles are very old and lack flavor.
Olive Oil: I used olive oil but, you can also use other types of vegetable oil if you prefer (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, etc,)
Onion & Garlic: Fresh onion and garlic will really impart deeper flavors to this homemade guajillo chile sauce, so make sure to add them in. I used yellow onion, but white onions or red onions will work too.
Seasonings: I used dried oregano and ground cumin for flavor. But you can also add in other dried herbs (such as dried parsley, dried thyme, etc).
Sugar: I used light brown sugar, but you can also use cane sugar, dark brown sugar, or coconut sugar if you prefer.
Broth: I used vegetable broth to keep this recipe vegan. However, if you are not vegan, go ahead and use chicken broth for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Soaking Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
