Description

Bravas Sauce, also known as Salsa Brava, is a vibrant, spicy Spanish sauce traditionally served with patatas bravas but versatile enough to elevate roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or sandwiches. This recipe combines sweet and smoked paprika, garlic, onions, and a hint of cayenne for a flavorful, slightly smoky, and mildly spicy condiment with a smooth, thick texture.

Ingredients

Bravas Sauce Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until shimmering.
Sauté onions: Add the finely diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
Incorporate flour: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste and create a roux base.
Add spices: Mix in the sweet paprika, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, stirring briefly to combine the flavors.
Add tomato paste and broth: Whisk in the tomato paste and gradually add the chicken or vegetable broth until smooth and well combined.
Simmer sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a rich, velvety consistency.
Season: Stir in the red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper, adjusting seasoning as needed for balance.
Blend sauce (optional): For a smooth texture, blend the sauce using an immersion blender or transfer to a countertop blender and puree until smooth.
Serve warm: Serve the Bravas Sauce warm as a spicy condiment alongside patatas bravas, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or sandwiches.

Notes

This sauce pairs perfectly with patatas bravas, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or sandwiches.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to make the sauce more or less spicy according to your preference.
Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version or chicken broth for a deeper flavor.
Blending the sauce is optional but recommended for a smooth consistency.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.