Easy Romesco Sauce – 5-Minute Flavor Bomb with Roasted Peppers & Tomatoes

Looking for a quick, versatile sauce to elevate your meals? This Easy Romesco Sauce is your new go-to. Made in just 5 minutes using pantry staples like roasted red peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, and almonds, it delivers a bold, smoky, slightly tangy punch of flavor that complements everything from grilled meats to roasted vegetables, seafood, and sandwiches.

Originally from Catalonia, Spain, Romesco is a deeply flavorful sauce traditionally served with seafood and grilled vegetables. But once you taste it, you’ll want to put it on everything. This simplified, blender-friendly version keeps all the rustic charm of the original—no toasting, no roasting required—but is totally weeknight-friendly.

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Why You’ll Love This Romesco Sauce

• Ready in 5 minutes—just blend and serve

• No cooking required

• Packed with smoky, garlicky, tangy flavor

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan

• Stores well in fridge or freezer

• Extremely versatile: great with meat, veggies, pasta, or eggs

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Ingredients Overview: What You’ll Need

Roasted Red Peppers

• The sweet, smoky base of the sauce

• Use jarred roasted red peppers, drained

• You can also roast your own for a deeper flavor

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes

• Adds brightness and acidity

• Use canned fire-roasted tomatoes for convenience and smoky depth

• Can substitute regular diced tomatoes in a pinch

Almonds (or Other Nuts)

• Add body and creaminess

• Traditionally made with blanched almonds, but walnuts or hazelnuts also work

• Use roasted, unsalted nuts for the best flavor

Garlic

• Essential for punch and aroma

• One raw clove is plenty—no need to sauté

Olive Oil

• Adds richness and silkiness

• Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor

Red Wine Vinegar

• Provides brightness and cuts the richness

• You can substitute with sherry vinegar or lemon juice

Smoked Paprika

• Signature ingredient! Adds earthy, smoky warmth

• Don’t skip or replace with regular paprika

Optional Add-ins

• Crushed red pepper flakes for heat

• Fresh parsley or basil for herbaceous notes

• Bread crumbs for a thicker, more traditional texture

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How to Make Romesco Sauce – Step-by-Step

1. Add Ingredients to Blender

In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine:

• 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers, drained

• ½ cup fire-roasted canned tomatoes (drained)

• ⅓ cup almonds (roasted, unsalted)

• 1 garlic clove

• 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• ⅛ tsp black pepper

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2. Blend Until Smooth

• Pulse until well combined and creamy

• Scrape down the sides and blend again

• Adjust thickness with extra olive oil or water if needed

3. Taste and Adjust

• Add more vinegar for tang

• More paprika or garlic for intensity

• A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for heat

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Tips, Variations & Substitutions

Pro Tips

• Blend just until smooth for a rustic texture, or longer for a silky version

• Let sit for 15–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld

• Don’t overdo the garlic—raw garlic can overpower if too much is used

Flavor Variations

• Add fresh herbs (basil, parsley, thyme)

• Mix in sun-dried tomatoes for added umami

• For creaminess, add a spoon of Greek yogurt or tahini

Ingredient Swaps

• Almonds → walnuts, hazelnuts, or sunflower seeds for nut-free

• Red wine vinegar → sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice

• Fire-roasted tomatoes → use more red pepper or tomato paste for thicker sauce

• Add breadcrumbs (1–2 tbsp) for traditional texture and to thicken

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What to Serve with Romesco Sauce

Romesco is one of the most versatile sauces in Mediterranean cuisine. Here’s how to use it:

Proteins:

• Grilled or roasted chicken, steak, or pork

• Fish and seafood—especially shrimp and scallops

• As a dip for meat skewers or grilled sausage

Vegetables:

• Roasted cauliflower, asparagus, zucchini, or carrots

• Drizzle over grilled eggplant or mushrooms

• Toss with roasted potatoes or crispy chickpeas

Vegetarian Dishes:

• Spread on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers

• Serve with eggs (especially poached or hard-boiled)

• Toss into pasta, gnocchi, or grain bowls

Party Platters:

• Use as a dip with toasted pita, crusty bread, or veggie sticks

• Serve alongside hummus and baba ghanoush

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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigeration:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days

Freezing:

• Freeze in small portions (ice cube trays or jars)

• Lasts up to 2 months in freezer

• Thaw in fridge overnight and stir before using

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FAQs About Easy Romesco Sauce

1. What is Romesco sauce made of?

Romesco is a Spanish sauce traditionally made with roasted red peppers, garlic, almonds, olive oil, vinegar, and sometimes tomatoes or bread. This version uses simplified pantry ingredients to keep it quick and easy.

2. Is Romesco sauce spicy?

Not necessarily. It’s rich and smoky with a mild tang. You can add heat with red pepper flakes or cayenne, but traditionally it’s not very spicy.

3. Can I make it nut-free?

Yes! Replace almonds with sunflower seeds or roasted chickpeas. The texture and flavor will shift slightly but still be delicious.

4. What does Romesco sauce taste like?

It’s savory, smoky, tangy, slightly sweet, and garlicky. Think of it as a bold, Mediterranean-flavored alternative to pesto or marinara.

5. How thick should Romesco be?

It should be thick enough to cling to meat or vegetables, like hummus or pesto. You can thin it with olive oil or water to suit your dish.

6. Is Romesco sauce vegan?

Yes! This version is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, depending on the ingredients you use.

7. Can I use fresh tomatoes or peppers instead?

Yes—but it will require roasting them first for the signature flavor. This quick version uses jarred ingredients to save time.

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