Copycat Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce Recipe

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So when I heard he had crafted his own hot sauce, I couldn’t wait to try it then share my experience with all of you! Whether you love a fiery kick or want to add a touch of Cajun flair to your dishes, I’m excited to walk you through Dustin Poirier’s hot sauce recipe and the story behind every spicy drop.

What Is Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce?

Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce also known as Poirier’s Louisiana Style is a line of Louisiana-style hot sauces created by UFC fighter Dustin Poirier with Canada’s Heartbeat Hot Sauce Co.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 red cayenne peppers (fresh if possible, but you can use dried if necessary)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 small white onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce (optional: for an extra layer of depth)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Juice of ½ lemon (for brightness)
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (for smokiness).

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Peppers: Slice off the stems of the cayenne peppers. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds. (I like to keep most of them for that signature fire!)
2. Blend the Base: In a blender or food processor, combine the peppers, garlic, onion, vinegar, salt, sugar, black pepper, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. The aroma will immediately transport you to Cajun country!
3. Simmer: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes until everything has mellowed together. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash more vinegar.
4. Strain: For a silky-smooth sauce, strain the cooked mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or bottle. (If you love a little texture, you might skip this step.)
5. Taste and Adjust: Here’s where you make it your own! Taste the sauce. Add extra salt, sugar, or more lemon juice to hit that perfect balance of tang, heat, and depth. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix in the smoked paprika for a hint of barbecue.
6. Bottle It Up: Once cooled, pour the sauce into a clean glass bottle or jar. Refrigerate for a day before using it gets even better as the flavors meld!

Tips:

• Pick Your Peppers Carefully: Fresh cayenne peppers give the most authentic flavor, but you can experiment with jalapeños or habaneros if you want more heat.
• Control the Heat: The seeds and membranes carry most of the spice. I like to leave about half in, so the sauce is fiery but not overwhelming.
• Don’t Rush the Simmer: That slow simmer melds the flavors, mellowing out the rawness of onion and garlic while letting the peppers shine.
• Customize to Your Taste: The beauty of homemade hot sauce is how personal it is—add a dash of Worcestershire for umami, or toss in some chopped celery for earthiness.

What To Serve Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce With

Classic Southern Favorites:

• Fried Chicken: There’s nothing like the crispy crunch of fried chicken, and a few drizzles of Dustin Poirier’s hot sauce over the top adds that perfect spicy tang. If you’re feeling bold, toss the chicken in the sauce right after frying for a true Southern experience.
• Shrimp or Crawfish Boil: A splash of steamed shrimp or crawfish takes the flavors to another level. Mix the Dustin Poirier’s Hot Sauce with melted butter for dipping, and you’ve got a match made in Louisiana heaven.
• Po Boys and Sandwiches: Whether it’s roast beef, fried shrimp, or even chicken sandwiches, layering hot sauce onto a po’ boy gives it the extra edge that makes each bite memorable.

Breakfast & Brunch:

• Eggs & Omelets: Add a few dashes to scrambled eggs, omelets, or even shakshuka. The vinegary heat cuts through the richness in the most satisfying way.
• Avocado Toast: Hot sauce on avocado toast? Trust me, it’s a game-changer. That fiery zing brightens up creamy avocado instantly.

Everyday Favorites:

• Tacos & Burritos: Taco night just isn’t complete without hot sauce! Drizzle on tacos, burritos, or nachos—especially if you love Tex-Mex with a Southern twist.
• Pizza: Please don’t knock it till you try it! A few drops on pizza, especially pepperoni or veggie, wakes up all the flavors.
• Grilled Meats & BBQ: Brush hot sauce onto grilled chicken, steak, or pork chops during the final minutes of cooking, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.

Snacks & Appetizers:

• Wings: Toss fried or baked wings in Dustin Poirier’s hot sauce for that signature spicy, tangy coating. Perfect for game day (especially if you’re watching fights).
• Fries & Potato Wedges: A squeeze of hot sauce over fries (regular or sweet potato) is wildly addictive, especially paired with ranch or blue cheese for dipping.

Unique/Creative Uses:

• Macaroni & Cheese: Stir some hot sauce into classic mac and cheese. That hint of heat cuts through the richness and adds depth.
• Soups & Stews: Swirl into hearty Louisiana gumbo, jambalaya, or even simple chicken soups. It adds complexity and a bit of that Cajun spirit.
• Salad Dressings: Mix a teaspoon or two into your vinaigrette for salads, slaws, or grain bowls—a little goes a long way.

Ingredient Substitutes:

The Star Ingredient Substitutes:

• Red Jalapeños: Slightly less hot, but similar flavor and texture.
• Serrano Peppers: A bit sharper and hotter; use fewer if you want to keep the heat moderate.
• Fresno Chiles: These have a fruity undertone that works well in hot sauce.
• Tabasco Peppers: Authentic to Louisiana, but harder to find.
• Dried Cayenne: Use about half the quantity, soak in warm water beforehand to rehydrate.

Vinegar Substitutes:

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Slightly sweet and tangy; a good all-around alternative.
• White Wine Vinegar: More mellow, with a subtle fruitiness.
• Rice Vinegar: If you want a softer, lighter acidity.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness, but you might lose some classic hot sauce tang—still worthwhile if you love citrus.

Garlic Substitutes:

• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon per clove, but add only during blending for smoother results.
• Roasted Garlic: If you want a more mellow and nutty profile.
• Shallot: Not the same, but will add a mild onion-garlic undertone.

Onion Substitutes:

• Yellow Onion: Slightly sweeter and milder.
• Red Onion: Adds color and a sharper bite; use less to avoid overpowering.
• Spring Onion/Scallion: Use the white part for a mild onion flavor.
• Shallot: Subtle and sweet, pairs well with garlic.

Salt Substitutes:

• Sea Salt: Any coarse salt works well in hot sauce.
• Fine Table Salt: Use just a pinch less, as it’s saltier by weight.

Sugar Substitutes:

• Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses and complexity.
• Honey: Use half the quantity and adjust for sweetness.
• Maple Syrup: Gives a Southern twist, though it will add a distinct flavor.

Black Pepper Substitutes:

• White Pepper: Slightly different but effective kick.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For a bit of extra heat.
• Paprika: More for color and smokiness than direct heat.

Other Creative Substitutes:

• Smoked Paprika for Smokiness: Adds a grilled flavor if you want a smokier hot sauce.
• Hot Sauce (like Louisiana or Crystal) as a base: If you have these in your pantry, mix with your homemade blend to boost flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce: For an umami note, just a few drops.
• Celery Salt: For an extra hint of Louisiana seasoning.
• Fresh Herbs: A sprig of oregano or thyme adds a herbal kick, though not traditional.

Health Benefits

Peppers (Cayenne, Jalapeño, etc.):

• Vitamin C: Hot peppers are loaded with vitamin C, crucial for your immune system health, skin repair, and fighting off free radicals.
• Vitamin A: This helps with vision, immune defense, and skin health.
• Capsaicin: The star compound in peppers, capsaicin, is a potent antioxidant that fights inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
• Onions & Garlic: Both offer vitamins B6 and C, plus compounds like flavonoids and allicin, which help protect your cells from damage and boost overall immunity.

Metabolism And Weight Management:

• Increase metabolism: Studies show capsaicin slightly raises the body’s metabolic rate, meaning you burn more calories after eating spicy meals.
• Suppress appetite: Some research suggests spicy food helps you feel fuller, so you may eat less overall.

Heart Health:

• Cholesterol Support: Compounds in peppers and onions may help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and improve HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
• Blood Pressure: Garlic, and to a lesser extent, onions, have been shown to help regulate blood pressure.

Anti-inflammatory Benefits:

• Capsaicin & Allicin: Both these compounds can help reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to many health issues, including arthritis, heart disease, and some cancers.
• Antioxidants: These fight free radicals, lessening the risk of chronic diseases—and hot sauce has plenty, thanks to its mix of pepper and veggies.

Digestive Aid:

• Vinegar: The acidic punch of vinegar helps with digestion and gut health. Vinegar can also help balance blood sugar after meals.
• Spices: Some spicy ingredients stimulate saliva and gastric juices, kicking your digestive system into gear.

Immune System Booster:

• Allium Vegetables (Garlic and Onion): Their natural antibacterial and antiviral properties help shore up your body’s defenses against illness.
• Vitamin C: Essential for immune response, healing, and general wellness, peppers are a tasty source.

Mental Well-being:

• Endorphin Rush: Eating spicy foods triggers your brain to release endorphins, which lift your mood and can even relieve pain temporarily.

• Low Calorie: Big Flavor Dustin Poirier’s hot sauce (like most homemade or artisan varieties) is low in calories and contains no unhealthy fats or sugars (unless you choose to add a touch of sweetener). This means you can add bold flavor to meals without extra calories—perfect if you’re watching your intake.

Final Thoughts

In the world of flavor, Dustin Poirier’s hot sauce is a true contender, packing bold Louisiana character into every drop. Whether you’re drizzling it over fried chicken, stirring it into gumbo, or experimenting with your creative spin, this fiery sauce brings more than heat to the table.

More Sauce Recipes:

• Huichol Hot Sauce Recipe
• Copycat Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce Recipe
• Prego Cheese Sauce Recipe
• Copycat Prego Traditional Italian Sauce Recipe