Looking for a sauce to put on EVERYTHING? This easy Romesco Sauce recipe is just what you need! Made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, garlic and herbs blended until smooth for a bold, zesty sauce you’ll want to eat with a spoon.

Romesco Sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon and grilled shrimp on the side.


Romesco Sauce

I like things saucy so I am always looking for something bursting with flavor to put on everything from chicken to vegetables without breaking a sweat. My favorite restaurants are usually the source of inspiration when looking for a partner for my protein. Like my favorite pesto recipe, this homemade Romesco Sauce is nothing short of amazing…..and super easy.

During the summer months, you don’t want to have to stand over a pot stirring and sweating when the heat is on. So blender or food processor sauces are my go-to when I don’t want to whip up a barbecue sauce. 

Throwing all the ingredients into the bowl and pressing a button until it’s a smooth, velvety sauce…..that’s more my speed. And that’s why this Romesco Sauce recipe has been on repeat for the past several weeks.

Romesco sauce in a white bowl with a blue and white napkin in the background.

What is Romesco Sauce

If you’re wondering what Romesco Sauce is…..it’s a tomato-based sauce that originated from Valls, Tarragona, Catalonia. Catalan fishermen made this sauce to be eaten with fish. It’s, most often, made from any mixture of roasted tomatoes and garlic, toasted almonds, pine nuts or hazelnuts, olive or sunflower oil, and roasted peppers.

Romesco Sauce is the perfect healthy condiment. Even though we love to use this on fish like salmon on the regular, I also like to serve it with steak or chicken. 

Add a little more olive oil and you have a zesty, light salad dressing. The versatility of Romesco Sauce is only limited by your own imagination.

Ingredients You Will Need

This sauce is fairly easy to throw together with common pantry ingredients. You can whip it up in a food processor or blender in just a couple minutes.

  • Roasted Red Peppers – You can make your own by roasting them in the oven or you can just use them from the jar. The bonus to the jar is the extra oil that their packed in makes the perfect flavor booster for your sauce.
  • Tomato Paste – Use a high quality tomato paste or homemade if you’re that ambitious. I am not. 
  • Garlic – Fresh is best. And add more or less garlic depending on your mood. I like three large cloves most days.
  • Almonds – Unroasted, unsalted almonds…..so, look for raw almonds. If you want them to have a deeper flavor, you can toast them in a pan for a few minutes. I don’t….I’m lazy.
  • Parsley – Again, fresh parsley, not dried. If you can only find dry parsley, just use half as much since the drying process concentrates the flavor.
  • Lime – The zest and juice is used to brighten things up. You can use lemon if limes aren’t readily available
  • Olive Oil – Because you’re not cooking the sauce, use a really high quality olive oil for this recipe.
  • Smoked Paprika and Cayenne – Both of these spices are my secret weapon for flavoring just about anything. Don’t skip them.
Overhead shot of ingredients for romesco sauce in the bowl of a food processor on a white background.

How To Make Romesco Sauce

Romesco Sauce is crazy easy to make in just 2 minutes, especially if you use convenience foods like jarred roasted red peppers.

  1. Place ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
  2. Puree until smooth.

That’s it. You now have homemade Romesco Sauce!

Romesco Sauce in a food processor with a blue background.

What To Serve With It

Spanish Romesco Sauce is incredibly versatile and can be use as a sandwich spread, a vegetable dip, a salad dressing or a sauce for your favorite grilled chicken, fish and pork.

We love to use it with this Baked Chicken during the week or as a topping for our favorite grilled chicken. It’s also fantastic served as a dip on this easy cheese board for parties.

You can use it in this sandwich, too! People rave about it when I serve it for lunches and tailgates. Or serve it alongside grilled shrimp for a fun twist on Spanish Tapas!

Whatever you want to serve this sauce with is usually a good idea, in my opinion.

Romesco Sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon in it.

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Romesco Sauce in a white bowl with a silver spoon and grilled shrimp on the side.

Get the Recipe: Spanish Romesco Sauce Recipe

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Quick and easy Romesco Sauce is fabulous served as a dip, a sandwich spread or flavor packed topping. A spanish tapas staple that's ready in minutes.
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 1 large roasted red bell pepper, from a jar or freshly roasted
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Equipment

  • food processor

Instructions 

  • Add the bell pepper, garlic, almonds, tomato paste, parsley, lime zest, lime juice, smoked paprka and cayenne to the bowl of a food processor or blender.
  • Pulse the ingredients until finely chopped and then run the food processor on low.
  • Stream in the olive oil and puree until smooth.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

Notes

To store: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
You can freeze romesco sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Calories: 123kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 86mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 272IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Condiment, sauce
Cuisine: spanish