Description
This Bravas Sauce is a vibrant and smoky Spanish sauce perfect for drizzling over crispy potatoes or using as a spicy dipping sauce. Made with olive oil, smoked paprika, cayenne, tomato paste, and sherry vinegar, it delivers a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor that’s authentic to traditional patatas bravas. The sauce can be smoothly puréed or left chunky depending on your preference, making it versatile for tapas, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or eggs.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Allow it to warm up for about 1 minute.
- Sauté the onion: Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until the mixture is fragrant and the spices release their aroma.
- Incorporate tomato paste: Add the tablespoon of tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to deepen the flavor and slightly caramelize the paste.
- Add crushed tomatoes and vinegar: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and the sherry vinegar, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Season the sauce: Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as desired to balance the flavors.
- Blend for smoothness (optional): Use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan or transfer to a regular blender and purée until smooth. Alternatively, leave the sauce chunky if preferred.
- Serve: Serve the warm Bravas Sauce over crispy potatoes or as a flavorful dipping sauce with other dishes like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or eggs.
Notes
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- This sauce also pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or eggs for added smoky, spicy flavor.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spice level according to your taste.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality smoked paprika and fresh tomatoes when in season.
