Salsa Brava Recipe
This salsa brava recipe blends tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and smoked paprika into a smooth, gently spicy Spanish sauce. It is ready in 25 minutes for serving with crispy potatoes and tapas dishes.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 150 ml water
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 onion chopped, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook until the onion has softened, then stir in 2 garlic cloves minced and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Transfer the 2 tomatoes diced to a food processor, add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and blend until smooth.
- Return the blended mixture to the saucepan. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon granulated sugar. Stir until fully combined.
- Pour in 150 ml water and gently simmer the salsa brava for 8–10 minutes, until it lightly coats a spoon but remains easy to pour.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the bravas sauce warm with crispy potatoes or Spanish tapas dishes.
Notes
Blend While Warm: I blend the tomatoes with the onion and garlic while they are still warm because this helps produce a smoother sauce.
Protect the Paprika: Keep the heat moderate after adding the paprika. Excessive heat can make its smoky flavor taste bitter.
Control the Heat: For me, the cayenne gives the sauce its characteristic kick, but you can reduce it if you prefer gentler heat.
No Resting Required: The salsa brava can be served immediately. Letting it stand for a few hours is optional and allows the garlic, paprika, and olive oil flavors to settle together.
Nutrition
Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 576IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.3mg
