If you love bold Mediterranean flavors but can’t stand spending hours in the kitchen, this 5 Minute Romesco Sauce is your new secret weapon! With its fiery red hue and smoky, tangy depth, this Spanish classic brings instant character to everything it touches—whether you’re drizzling it over grilled veggies, spooning it on crispy chicken, or slathering it onto a sandwich. The best part? All it takes is a handful of pantry staples and your trusty blender. You won’t believe something this quick can taste this vibrant and complex!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves you don’t need fancy ingredients or a long shopping list to make something utterly unforgettable. Every item here plays a starring role, building flavor, texture, and that irresistible color into your 5 Minute Romesco Sauce.
- Jarred Roasted Red Peppers: These give the sauce its signature sweetness, smoky undertones, and brilliant color. Make sure they’re well-drained for the right consistency.
- Raw Almonds: For that classic Spanish crunch and a creamy body—try toasting them for even more depth!
- Garlic Cloves: Just two, but they add a punchy, aromatic bite that wakes up the whole sauce.
- Olive Oil: The finishing touch bringing all the flavors together into a silky, spoonable sauce.
- Tomato Paste: This little bit packs a ton of umami and richness—you’ll taste it in every bite.
- Red Wine Vinegar: For brightness and gentle acidity that makes each flavor pop.
- Smoked Paprika: Absolutely essential for that smoldering Spanish character—don’t skip it!
- Salt: Just enough to balance and deepen all the robust tastes.
- Black Pepper: A touch of sharpness—freshly cracked is best!
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): If you love a little heat, this is where to add it.
How to Make 5 Minute Romesco Sauce
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients
Start by draining your jarred roasted red peppers and peeling a couple of garlic cloves. No need to fuss over fancy prep—just make sure everything’s ready to toss straight into the food processor. Little steps like measuring out your olive oil and almonds will make the whole process go even faster.
Step 2: Blend the Base
Drop the red peppers, almonds, garlic, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and (if you want a kick) the red pepper flakes into your food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse a few times to start breaking everything down, scraping the bowl as needed. Blending at this stage means all those flavors begin mingling right away.
Step 3: Stream in the Olive Oil
With your machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Watch as the sauce transforms into a lush, thick, and creamy masterpiece. This step brings the 5 Minute Romesco Sauce to life, rounding out the flavors and giving it that luxurious texture Spanish classics are famous for.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Now the fun part: taste! This is your moment to play chef. Maybe you want a little more vinegar punch or a pinch more salt. Don’t be shy—season as you go so the 5 Minute Romesco Sauce is just right for your palate.
Step 5: Serve or Store
Scoop your fresh 5 Minute Romesco Sauce into a jar or bowl and dive in immediately, or pop it in the fridge for later. The flavors will only deepen as it sits, making leftovers (if you have any) even more delicious.
How to Serve 5 Minute Romesco Sauce
Garnishes
Go the extra mile with a light dusting of chopped toasted almonds, a drizzle of top-notch olive oil, or even a sprinkle of smoked paprika right over the top. These finishing touches add flair and a hint of texture that feels instantly festive.
Side Dishes
This sauce brings any side dish to a whole new level. Try spooning it over grilled cauliflower, blistered green beans, crisp roasted potatoes, or charred asparagus. It’s also amazing swirled into cooked grains like farro or bulgur for a Mediterranean-inspired bowl.
Creative Ways to Present
The 5 Minute Romesco Sauce is a powerhouse in both flavor and color, so show it off! Try serving it in a shallow bowl as a centerpiece for dipping rustic sourdough, or spread it generously inside sandwiches and wraps. Hosting brunch? Dollop it on poached eggs or breakfast flatbreads for a delightful surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover 5 Minute Romesco Sauce to a clean jar or airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to five days. You may notice the flavors mellow and deepen after a day or two—they only get better!
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch, you’re in luck: this sauce freezes well. Pour it into freezer-safe containers or even ice cube trays for convenient single servings. It will keep for up to two months—just thaw before serving.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat since this sauce is typically served at room temperature or chilled. If you’d like it a bit warmer, gently bring it to room temp or give it a quick stir if it thickens in the refrigerator. Avoid microwaving for too long, as the oil can separate.
FAQs
Can I make the 5 Minute Romesco Sauce without nuts?
Absolutely! For a nut-free version, swap out the almonds for sunflower seeds or even pumpkin seeds. You’ll still get a lovely creamy texture and delightful flavor.
Is fresh or jarred roasted red pepper better?
Jarred roasted red peppers are a timesaver with a consistently sweet, smoky flavor—just what you want for this quick recipe. If you have freshly roasted peppers on hand, they’ll work beautifully too!
Can I use a regular blender instead of a food processor?
Yes, a high-speed blender works great and will create an even smoother sauce. Just be sure to stop and scrape down the sides to make sure everything blends evenly.
How spicy is the 5 Minute Romesco Sauce?
The sauce is mild as written, but you can adjust the heat by adding or omitting the crushed red pepper flakes. It’s easy to make it as mellow or fiery as you like.
What proteins pair best with this sauce?
This sauce shines with simply grilled fish, chicken, or shrimp. It’s also incredible dolloped onto roasted tofu or drizzled over lentil patties for a fully vegan, high-protein meal.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t yet experienced how truly irresistible and versatile 5 Minute Romesco Sauce is, now’s the time to bring a little Spanish sunshine to your table! One blend and you’ll be hooked—so grab your ingredients and treat yourself to a burst of rich, savory flavor that’s ready in no time flat.
Print
5 Minute Romesco Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This 5 Minute Romesco Sauce is a quick and flavorful Spanish sauce made with roasted red peppers, almonds, and a blend of spices. Perfect for serving with grilled vegetables, fish, or chicken, or as a sandwich spread.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Blend until mostly smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Transfer to a jar or bowl and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Serve with grilled vegetables, fish, chicken, or use as a sandwich spread.
- For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seeds for almonds.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
