How do you make homemade tabasco sauce?

Tabasco sauce is a fairly simple mixture of Tabasco chilies, garlic, onions, seasoning, vinegar and oil. It is easy to make from scratch and to customize.

Homemade Tabasco Sauce Recipe

This recipe originally appeared on "Emeril Live" on the Food Network and is published on the Food Network website. Both the Food Network and reviewers rate the recipe as easy.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ready in: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 20 Tabasco chilies
• 1 1/2 tbsps. garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup onions, sliced
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar

1. Prepare the vegetables

Cut the stems from the chilies and slice them into 1/8-inch slices. Mince the garlic and slice the onions. Mix the ingredients together in a saucepan and toss with the salt and oil. Cook them for 3 minutes over high heat.

2. Cook the ingredients in water

Open a window or turn on a fan to ensure that the kitchen is well ventilated. Add the water to the pan and cook for 20 minutes. Let the peppers soften and the water evaporate. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

3. Puree the mixture

Puree the pepper mixture in a food processor until it is smooth. Add the vinegar through the processor feed tube as it is running to blend it into the mixture. Add salt to taste.

4. Bottle the sauce

Use a fine strainer to strain the pepper mixture. Pour the liquid in sterilized jars or bottles. Age the sauce for 2 weeks.

To create a custom flavor, experiment with different types of hot peppers such as red jalapenos or Serrano chilies. This can help create a milder or spicier sauce.