Classic Bravas Sauce

Jun 16

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 12 minutes

This smoky, slightly spicy bravas sauce is the flavor bomb behind Spain’s iconic patatas bravas. It’s rich, bold, and ridiculously easy to make with a few pantry staples.

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*A bowl of deep red, smoky bravas sauce—ready for dipping crispy potatoes or spooning onto grilled meats.*

There’s something magical about how simple ingredients can create such punchy flavor. This sauce gets its deep warmth from smoked paprika, its sharp bite from vinegar, and its umami depth from tomato paste and garlic. If you’ve ever had patatas bravas and thought, “I need this sauce on everything,” this is for you. I love it spooned generously over roasted potatoes, but I’ve also used it to wake up scrambled eggs, grilled chicken, and even as a fiery dip for crusty bread.

What’s great about this version is that it doesn’t require fancy techniques or rare ingredients. A quick sauté, a simple simmer, and boom—you’ve got a rich, silky sauce with layers of smoky, garlicky flavor. You can blend it smooth or leave it a bit rustic, depending on your vibe. Either way, it’s bold, Spanish-style comfort in a bowl. And bonus: it keeps well in the fridge for a few days, so it’s great to make ahead for tapas night or meal prep.

If you’re serving this with patatas bravas, I like to have both this sauce and a creamy aioli on the table so everyone can dip, drizzle, and swirl to their heart’s content. But don’t limit this one to potatoes—it's surprisingly versatile. Stir a spoonful into a bowl of rice, slather it on a sandwich, or toss it with roasted veggies for an instant upgrade.

🍽️ Servings: 6 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 45

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup canned crushed tomatoes
½ tsp sugar
Salt, to taste
Splash of sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

Steps

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5–6 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the smoked paprika and cayenne pepper (if using); stir for another 30 seconds.

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add the sugar.

Step 7

Simmer the sauce for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 8

Season with salt to taste and finish with a splash of vinegar to brighten it up.

Step 9

Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth texture, or leave it rustic and chunky.

Make it your own!

🌶️ Make it mild
Skip the cayenne entirely and use sweet paprika for a kid-friendly version.
🧄 Boost the garlic
Add an extra clove or roast your garlic first for a sweeter, deeper flavor.
🍅 Tomato twist
Use fire-roasted crushed tomatoes for an extra layer of smoky depth.