Simple Trini chadon beni sauce

Chadon Beni Sauce is a beloved condiment in Trinbagonian cuisine. Its bold flavors elevate any dish it’s added to, making it a popular topping for everything from doubles to BBQ. Making your Trini chadon beni sauce is a great way to enjoy this flavorful sauce at home, and it’s incredibly easy to do so with a few simple ingredients and a food processor.

Chadon beni sauce is one of those staple condiments in Trini kitchens. It’s bold, herby, and adds that extra zing to everything from doubles to BBQ. And the best part? It’s super easy to make at home with just a few fresh ingredients and a blender or food processor.

Trinidad and Tobago’s food culture is rich with sauces from pepper, tamarind, to garlic, you name it. We don’t just use them for heat or tang, but to round out the whole meal. A spoonful of the right sauce can take a dish from good to yes, please, seconds!

So today, we’re focusing on this bright green beauty: chadon beni sauce. It’s simple, flavorful, and an absolute must-try if you’re looking to bring a taste of Trini flavor to your table.

What is Chadon Beni Sauce

This sauce is a very popular condiment. It is a unique and flavorful sauce that is commonly used in dishes to add an extra layer of taste.

Doubles with cucumber chutney and chadon beni sauce.

If you want a deeper dive into chadon beni itself—what it is, how to store it, and why we love it so much—check out my full post on what chadon beni is and how it can be used and stored.

This green sauce is simple but loaded with flavor. Made with chadon beni leaves, garlic, lime, and pepper, it brings a herby, zesty punch to just about any dish. Some versions include hot peppers for added heat, but the base is always fresh and bold.

Bonus? It’s not just tasty—it’s packed with good stuff. Chadon beni is rich in antioxidants and known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits, so you’re getting flavor and a little wellness boost in every spoonful.

How to make chadon beni sauce

Ingredients

Making your own sauce is a great way to enjoy this flavorful sauce at home. It is incredibly easy to do so with a few simple ingredients and a food processor or a blender.

Here are the ingredients used to make:

• Chadon beni/culantro leaves – the main star of the show.
• Garlic cloves – To enhance the flavor of the sauce.
• Hot pepper – brings the heat. Feel free to use any type of hot pepper you like.
• Fresh lime juice – essential to balance the flavors and add a tangy taste.
• Salt – helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients in the sauce.

It’s important to gather all your equipment before starting to make the sauce so that you have everything on hand and the process is smooth and efficient.

You don’t need much to pull this together—just a blender or food processor to get that smooth, pourable texture. A good knife and cutting board will help with the prep, and once blended, I like to store mine in a clean mason jar in the fridge.

Instructions

To make this delicious sauce, here are the very easy step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Begin by washing the chadon beni (culantro) leaves, celery, thyme, pepper, lime, and cloves of garlic thoroughly. Remove any dirt or debris and pat them dry.
2. Chop the ingredients: Once the ingredients are dry, start chopping them into small pieces. The garlic and hot pepper should be finely chopped. Cut the chadon beni (culantro) leaves into rough pieces.   
    
3. Blend the ingredients: Place all the chopped ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend them until the mixture is smooth and well combined. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend the ingredients in batches, leaving some chunks in the mixture.   
    
4. Add optional ingredients: To enhance the flavor of the sauce, you can add optional ingredients like more hot peppers, thyme, and green onions. Add a small pinch of these ingredients to the mixture and blend it again until everything is combined.

There you go. You easily made your very own chadon beni sauce that is packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion.

Ways to use

Enjoy the sauce: Chadon beni sauce is perfect for a dipping sauce, adding some to meats, or even as a salad dressing.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different dishes to find your favorite way to use the sauce.

Storage

Once you’ve made your sauce, store it in an airtight container—mason jars are my go-to. Just make sure the lid is clean and rust-free to help it last longer.

Keep it in the fridge if you plan to use it over the next few days. For longer storage, pour it into a freezer-safe container (leave a little space at the top for expansion) and freeze it for a few months.

Oh, and try to keep it away from strong-smelling foods. That way, you get to enjoy that fresh, herby flavor every time you open the jar.

Remember, the beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can transport yourself to the sunny shores of the Caribbean with every mouthful.

So go ahead, give it a try, and let the flavors of Trini Chadon Beni Sauce transport you to foodie paradise!

Here are some other delectable Caribbean condiments:

• Trini garlic sauce
• Sorrel BBQ Sauce
• Caribbean BBQ sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe