FOOD NEWS
How To Fix Overly Spicy Hot Sauce Without Altering The Recipe
By Stacie Adams
Starchy foods, like potatoes, can be strategically used to help decrease the spiciness in a dish by absorbing capsaicin, the chemical found in chili peppers.
To fix your overly spicy hot sauce, pour it into a pan and add peeled potato chunks. Cook this mixture on low heat for a few minutes.
Remove the potato chunks from the sauce and taste it to check the spiciness. The starchy potato will have absorbed the oils and juices in the sauce, reducing its overall heat.
You could also incorporate mild and hydrating ingredients, such as squash, corn, or unseasoned proteins, into a recipe to dilute its spice without altering its flavor.
Acids like vinegar or citrus juice tame the effect of oils in peppers, hot sauces, and other dishes by balancing pH levels. Coconut milk or plain yogurt can also balance the heat.
For tomato-based sauces, you can add more tomato sauce, paste, or ketchup or include sweeteners, like a small amount of sugar or honey.