Salsa Brava (Bravas Sauce Recipe) (2024)

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ByKristen Wood Last updated

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Learn how to make salsa brava, the spicy Spanish tomato sauce! This bravas sauce recipe is easy and adds a delightful rich flavor to anything you use it on.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super easy to make.
  • Rich and flavorful.
  • Versatile and can be used many different ways.
  • Naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and soy-free.
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🗒️ Ingredient Notes

Olive oil: This is a great recipe to use that fancy olive oil you had stowed away for a rainy day. A good quality extra virgin olive oil does the trick here. Bonus points for Spanish olive oil!

Onion: I’ve made this sauce with white, yellow and red onion—all delicious. Use what you like or have on hand.

Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves really add a depth of flavor to this spicy sauce, but if you do not have any on hand, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder can be used in a pinch.

Smoked paprika: This is a classic, essential ingredient in a good salsa brava recipe, so I do not recommend omitting it or replacing it with any other spices. A good Spanish smoked paprika gets the job done here.

Hot smoked paprika: Hot smoked paprika, aka pimenton de la vera, has that rich smoky body not unlike regular smoked paprika, but with a delightful kick. It is another quintessential bravas sauce ingredient, but if you aren’t here for a spicy factor you can replace it with more smoked paprika.

Cayenne pepper: This optional ingredient just adds additional depth of flavor and heat for the true spice lovers.

Tomatoes: I find a can of fire roasted tomatoes to add the most flavor this sauce, but any kind of diced tomatoes, fresh or canned will work well.

Roasted red pepper: I find adding just one roasted red pepper to really round out the flavors in this recipe and also add a subtle sweetness. If you do not have it on hand however, it can be omitted for a still-tasty sauce.

Sherry vinegar: I really love the subtle flavor and acidity sherry vinegar adds to this sauce, but any vinegar will get the job done. White wine, red wine and even apple cider vinegar are great choices as well. Do not have vinegar? Use lemon juice!

Salt: What’s nearly any recipe without a bit of salt? I leave it up to you to adjust the salt in this recipe to suit your own tastes. I like to add around 1 teaspoon, for a mild-moderate salty factor, but it really is a personal preference in this case. I recommend starting with 1/2 teaspoon and going from there.

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🔪 How to Make Salsa Bravas

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🍽️ How to Use

The most common use for bravas sauce is in a Spanish dish called patatas bravas, which means “spicy potatoes” and they are just that: fried potatoes tossed about with salsa brava. Salsa bravas is also great served alongside a favorite tapa (aka an appetizer or snack as known in Spain).

Salsa bravas has many uses including, but not limited to, the below:

  • Pasta sauce.
  • Dipping sauce for fries, fried appetizers, chips and more.
  • Marinade for roasted vegetables or tofu.
  • Pizza sauce with a kick.
  • Drizzled over grain bowls, roasted veggies and more.
  • Sandwich spread.
  • Mixed into mayonnaise (or vegan mayo) for a fun twist.
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💭 Top Tip

You can easily adjust the spiciness level of this recipe to suit your own tastes. To make a mild salsa brava, omit the cayenne and replace the hot paprika with more smoked paprika. For the true spicy food lovers, you can make a spicy salsa brava by using the optional cayenne pepper and if you really want a kick, saute a chopped fresh cayenne or Thai chili when sautéing the garlic and onion.

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🥡 Storing

This delicious sauce keeps stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Any longer, and I would advise freezing the sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.

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❓ FAQ

Where did bravas sauce originate?

Bravas sauce, also known as salsa brava, originated in Madrid, Spain. It is most commonly served over fried potatoes in a dish called “patatas bravas”, which can be found in tapas bars throughout the country. This dish is also sometimes served alongside a garlic aioli, which helps balance this spicy tomato sauce! You will find some regional variances throughout Spain in the ingredients used to make salsa brava, but all delicious.

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🌶️ More Delicious Hot Sauce Recipes

Best Fresh Salsa Recipe

Mango Salsa

Louisiana Hot Sauce

Peri Peri Sauce

Do you LOVE hot sauce? Check out my books Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners and Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook for more!

Salsa Brava (Bravas Sauce Recipe) (15)

Salsa Brava (Bravas Sauce Recipe)

Learn how to make salsa brava, the spicy Spanish tomato sauce! This bravas sauce recipe is easy and adds a delightful rich flavor to anything you use it on.

4.91 from 54 votes

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Course: Condiments

Cuisine: Spanish

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Author: Kristen Wood

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons hot smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon hot paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, omit if not a fan of super spicy
  • 1 14.5-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes or fresh diced tomatoes
  • 1 roasted red pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or any vinegar of choice
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil, garlic and onion. Saute for 5 minutes, or until the onions appear translucent.

  • Add the paprika, cayenne, tomatoes, red pepper and vinegar. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Turn off the heat and then carefully add the cooked ingredients to a blender or food processor. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender. Blend until smooth.

  • Salt to taste, serve and enjoy!

Notes

Please see the full post above this recipe card for lots of valuable information including ingredient substitutions, storage information and more.

You might like: Boom Boom Sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 691IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

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Salsa Brava (Bravas Sauce Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is Bravas sauce made of? ›

Ingredients: Tomato, water, sunflower oil, sugar, vinegar, almond, garlic, spices, salt, and stabilizer: xanthan gum.

Where is salsa brava from? ›

Bravas Sauce, also referred to as salsa brava, originates from Madrid, Spain. This piquant sauce boasts a deep, mildly spicy, and smoky profile, largely attributed to the smoked paprika it contains. Typically poured over deep-fried potatoes, it becomes the centerpiece of the renowned Spanish dish, patatas bravas.

What ingredients are in Patatas Bravas? ›

Image of What ingredients are in Patatas Bravas?
The potato is a starchy root vegetable native to the Americas that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are tubers of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a perennial in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potato species can be found from the southern United States to southern Chile.
Wikipedia

What is Brava food? ›

Patatas bravas (Spanish: [paˈtatas ˈβɾaβas], also called patatas a la brava or papas bravas, all meaning "spicy potatoes") is a dish native to Spain. It typically consists of white potatoes that have been cut into 2-centimeter (0.79 in)-wide cubes, then fried in oil and served warm with a spicy "brava" sauce.

What is Brava tapas? ›

It is hard to believe that someone may not know them, but if that is your case, I will explain. It is a typical Spanish tapa made of potatoes cut into small cubes or pieces (today there are many versions) and cooked in oil, water or baked. They are served bathed in a spicy sauce: the famous Brava Sauce.

What is the brown sauce in Spain? ›

Translated as the 'Spanish' sauce, Espagnole is a rich-bodied brown sauce. The sauce is the base of many other sauces, but perhaps most popularly, the demi-glace. Demi-glace is a time-consuming super-concentrated sauce popular in restaurant dishes.

Who owns Salsa Brava? ›

Chef John Conley, a native of Phoenix, AZ, with his love of food and cooking embedded early on in life and the inspiration to open his own restaurant, John opened his first restaurant, Salsa Brava, at the age of twenty-one.

What did Guy eat at Salsa Brava? ›

Guy tries a football-size chicken sopapilla at Flagstaff's Salsa Brava.

Who is the owner of Salsa Brava Colorado Springs? ›

The new owner, Scott Morrissey, will change the name to Salsa on the Rock. “As a former member of our management team for more than five years, Scott's leadership and expertise is the perfect fit for the future of this location,” said Randy Price, owner of Rocky Mountain Restaurant Group, in a press release.

What does bravas mean in Spanish? ›

Bravo/brava is an adjective with various meanings in Spanish. We use it when we want to say someone is brave or courageous. In some Spanish-speaking countries, however, bravo/brava is also used as a synonym for angry, mad or upset. This adjective can also help us describe the world around us by meaning rough or fierce.

Why is it called patatas bravas? ›

The “Patatas Bravas” are potatoes accompanied by hot sauce. In fact, its name comes from the spicy cayenne, which is essential in the sauce. Potatoes can be prepared fried, cooked in water, cooked in oil and even in some cases baked. It is a typical dish of Spanish cuisine, although its origin is really from Madrid.

Why are patatas bravas called bravas? ›

Patatas bravas, or spicy potato as it is translated, originates from Madrid and is a traditional Spanish cuisine typcially served to share. Patatas means “potato” in Spanish, and bravas is the sauce and lends to the term “spicy”. They make for a perfect start to a delicious meal with friends or loved ones.

How much does a Brava cost? ›

It's $1,100, which is enough to buy an excellent full-size oven. Proprietary pan sets cost up to $400 more. A peculiar countertop oven debuted with a splash in 2018, wooing cookery nerds like me with claims of "pure light" heating and using connected cooking to streamline dinner-making.

What is the history of salsa brava? ›

They were founded in Los Angeles in 1917, and introduced the first jar salsa product in the US, Salsa Brava, a true Mexican-style salsa, still sold today. In 1941, Henry Tanklage created the La Victoria Sales Company, introducing green and red taco sauce, and enchilada sauces.

What can Brava take over? ›

The following Defender Gadgets can be hacked by Brava, converting them to Attacker Gadgets:
  • Alibi's Prismas.
  • Aruni's Surya Gates.
  • Echo's Yokai Drone.
  • Ela's Grzmot Mines.
  • Fenrir's F-NATT Dread Mines (activated)
  • Jäger's Active Defence Systems.
  • Kapkan's Entry Denial Devices.
  • Lesion's GU mines.

What is Spanish sauce made of? ›

However, the famous Spanish sauce is made entirely from scratch and the aroma and taste are simply irresistible. The combination of roasted peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, with toasted almonds and smoked Spanish paprika, results in a sauce that you'll demand an IV for.

What do they call tomato sauce in Spain? ›

Tomate frito is a very simple Spanish sauce made from sautéing tomatoes with onion, garlic, salt, and sugar, then puréeing it. Salsa de tomate is made with a similar method, but includes carrot and a little flour for thickening it. Also, the vegetables are strained out, leaving the sauce behind, not puréed.

What is Spanish green sauce made of? ›

Mojo verde sauce originates from the Spanish Canary Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa. Traditionally, it's made with cilantro, cumin, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil and pounded in a mortar and pestle. It's herbaceous, garlicky, and bracingly acidic, and perfect for brightening up any smoked and grilled food.

What is the Spanish name for hot sauce? ›

They are picante (U.S), salsa picante (Mexico), enchilada sauce, and salsa ranchera. Green salsa (salsa verde or tomatillo salsa): The ingredients match those of red salsa but with small green tomatoes called tomatillos.

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