Tamarind Sauce or Tamarind Sour is a zesty, spicy condiment that brings an exciting flavor profile to any dish. This homemade recipe uses fresh tamarind, garlic, onion, ginger, and a kick of wiri-wiri pepper to create a sauce that’s tangy, spicy, and full of depth. It’s perfect as a dipping sauce, marinade, or a topping for grilled meats, fried snacks, or even in a stir-fry!
How to Make Tamarind Sauce
Start by taking your shelled tamarind (with the pits!) and place it in a bowl. Add the warm water (but remember, it shouldn’t be boiling—just warm enough to soften the tamarind). Stir the tamarind and water together until the mixture thickens and the tamarind becomes soft. If you find the consistency too thin, you can always adjust with less water for a thicker sauce.
Once the tamarind is softened and mixed well with the water, add in the pureed fresh garlic, pureed onion, crushed ginger, wiri-wiri pepper, sugar, and salt. Stir everything together until the sugar completely dissolves and the ingredients are well incorporated. If you prefer your tamarind sauce a bit thicker, just reduce the amount of water you use. Taste it and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
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Tamarind Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ lb shelled tamarind with pits, not seedless
- 1 ½ cups warm water not boiling
- 1 tbsp pureed fresh garlic
- ½ tsp pureed fresh onion
- 1 tsp crushed ginger
- 1 tsp pureed wiri-wiri pepper seeds well-grounded
- 2-3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Soften Tamarind
- In a medium-sized bowl (not metal or plastic), mix the shelled tamarind with warm water. Stir until the tamarind begins to soften and the water thickens.½ lb shelled tamarind, 1 ½ cups warm water
Add the Flavorings
- Add in the pureed garlic, pureed onion, crushed ginger, wiri-wiri pepper, sugar, and salt. Stir everything together until the sugar is completely dissolved and the flavors meld.1 tbsp pureed fresh garlic, ½ tsp pureed fresh onion, 1 tsp crushed ginger, 1 tsp pureed wiri-wiri pepper, 2-3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt
Adjust Consistency
- For a thicker sauce, use less water. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve
- Serve immediately or store in a jar for later use. This sauce is great with grilled meats, fried foods, or as a marinade!
