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glass bowl of bravas sauce with a spoon.
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4.93 from 65 votes

Bravas Sauce Recipe (Salsa Brava)

This spicy, 6-ingredient bravas sauce is an essential element of the popular Spanish tapa patatas bravas. Adjust it to your taste by varying the level of spiciness!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Tapa
Cuisine: Spanish
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 189.72kcal

Ingredients

  • cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons hot smoked paprika pimentón picante
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sweet smoked paprika pimentón dulce
  • 1-2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the hot and sweet smoked paprika and stir until combined.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of flour and stir until combined. Keep stirring for about a minute to toast the flour slightly.
  • Over a medium-low heat, add the broth very gradually, stirring constantly. The flour will absorb the liquid and leave you with a delicious sauce.
  • The sauce should start to thicken as you incorporate the broth; add more flour only if necessary to achieve the right consistency. It should be velvety and smooth, but not so thick that it holds its shape alone.
  • Reduce to low heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt to taste.
  • Drizzle over some fried potatoes and enjoy!

Notes

  • The finished product should be bright reddish-orange and neither thin nor creamy—perfect for artistic drizzling.
  • You can adjust the level of spiciness by increasing the ratio of pimentón picante, or by adding a bit of hot sauce!
  • Leftovers will keep in the fridge for a few days; just make sure you stir well to restore the original consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 189.72kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.67g | Protein: 1.49g | Fat: 19.09g | Saturated Fat: 2.66g | Sodium: 293.12mg | Potassium: 215.49mg | Fiber: 2.58g | Sugar: 0.77g | Vitamin A: 3639.87IU | Vitamin C: 4.11mg | Calcium: 20.45mg | Iron: 1.87mg