Simple Romesco Sauce Recipe (2024)

It tastes earthy, smoky, and slightly sweet with just a hint of heat –the perfect condiment for vegetables, meats and fish -complementing a wide range of meals.

Ingredients in Romesco Sauce:

1. red bell pepper
2. tomatoes- optional
3. onion
4. garlic
5. toasted almonds or hazelnuts
6. olive oil
7. salt and spices
8. vinegar: sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

The addition of nuts ( typically almonds or hazelnuts)gives the Romesco Sauce a robust richness and heartiness. It’s a nice addition to what you are already cooking at home and can transform the ordinary into something really exciting.

How to make Romesco Sauce:

Step one:

Roast or saute the bell pepper, onion and garlic.

Step two:

Add to a food processor along with the nuts and seasonings.

Step three:

Add the olive oil and water.

Step four:

Blend until combined- and feel free to get this smooth or leave a texture.

I like to leave a little texture here, but up to you!

Variations of Romesco Sauce:

Feel free to experiment with the basic recipe, and feel free to add any of the following:

• sundried tomatoes
• roasted tomatoes
• tomato paste
• dried chilies that have been rehyrated
• anchovy
• other nuts or seeds ( pumpkin, pinenuts, sunflower, pecans, etc.)
• grated parmesan
• tomato paste
• herbs!

What goes with Romesco Sauce?

Use Romesco Sauce like you would pesto- stir it into soups or stews, slather it into a panini, sandwich, or wrap, or toss it with pasta and sprinkle with shaved manchego, or simply serve it in a bowl like a dip, alongside crusty bread. I love its smokey flavor with:

• Roasted Parsnips with Romesco Sauce
• With buddha bowls,
• roasted fish,
• baked chicken
• Tossed with pasta
• Over eggs for breakfast!

It’s a good recipe to learn and keep in your repertoire – and the ingredients are ones I usually have on hand, making it easy to whip up. This romesco sauce recipe is also vegan and gluten-free.

In Spain, the traditional recipe also contains bread or bread crumbs for added texture (which I’ve left out this time) and Nora peppers which are difficult to find here in our area.I’ve kept this version intentional simple, easy and gluten-free- with more accessible ingredients. Feel free to embellish!

• To elevate the flavors, try grilling or smoking the peppers and onions which will give it a little charred smoky goodness.
• Play with adding different peppers… or reconstituted dried chilies.
• In Spain, the traditional recipe also contains bread or bread crumbs for added texture (which I’ve left out this time) and Nora peppers which are difficult to find here in our area.I’ve kept this version intentional simple, easy and gluten-free- with more accessible ingredients, but feel free to embellish!

More flavorful sauces you may like:

• Chimichurri Sauce
• Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde) Vegan-Adaptable
• Authentic Harissa Paste
• Green Tahini Sauce
• Poblano Pumpkin Seed Sauce
• Best EVER Thai Peanut Sauce!

Sylvia