This fast and easy romesco sauce is made with simple ingredients that combine to make an extremely flavorful sauce that is just as versatile as it is delicious! Healthy and quick, this romesco sauce can be served with everything from roasted veggies to grilled meats. Make ahead friendly so it’s great for meal prep! Gluten free, paleo, whole30, and vegan!

A quick note on this recipe! The original version of this post was published back in 2016. Since then I’ve re-tested the recipe, updated the photographs, and the content. I’m republishing it for you today to enjoy! I hope you continue to make and love this fast and easy romesco sauce. xo
Every once and a while, a great sauce walks into your life and changes EVERYTHING!!!
Babes, this fast and easy romesco sauce is one of those sauces.
For all of my sauce loving readers out there:
THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
It’s bold and balanced in flavor – so good that it has been finding a way into almost every meal we’ve eaten for the past 2 weeks.
Also, this spanish inspired romesco sauce is PERFECT for meal prep. It lasts for at least a week in the refrigerator, and is literally the magic sauce that goes with pretty much anything you could imagine pairing it with.
Spicing up meals left and right!
I would even venture to say that this sauce will make you MORE adventurous and creative in the kitchen and inspire new meals with bold and mouthwatering flavor combinations.
How to make fast and easy romesco sauce
This romesco sauce is so easy to make and ready in 5 minutes! All of the ingredients go into your food processor or blender and you process until mostly smooth. That’s it! 🙌🏼
These are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Roasted red peppers
- Roasted almonds
- Fresh parsley
- Tomato paste
- Red wine or sherry vinegar
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Cayenne (you can leave this out if you don’t want it to be spicy)
- Olive oil
- Salt + pepper
You can use a food processor or blender to make the sauce.
If you use your food processor – the romesco sauce will be a little more textured and rustic.
If you use your blender – the romesco sauce will be more smooth and creamy, depending on how long you blend it for.
It’s totally up to you which one you decide to use!
Is romesco sauce gluten free?
Not all romesco sauce recipes are gluten free, but this one is!
Traditionally it is made with breadcrumbs to thicken, but I skipped them. You won’t miss out on any flavor by leaving them out 👊🏼
Can you heat romesco sauce?
Yes absolutely! While it is super delicious as a condiment / dip straight from the refrigerator, it also heats up beautifully as the start of a savory sauce.
To serve warm, toss it with some cooked green beans, roasted shrimp, or grilled vegetables.
Essentially it can be used in any way that you would use pesto!
In my most recent “What I Ate This Week” post, I added it to an open faced breakfast taco with a fried egg, sliced radishes and fresh cilantro. It was delicious!
Serving suggestions
There’s a lot to love about this vibrant, flavorful sauce. It’s made with good-for-you red peppers, healthy fats, and bold spices.
And there’s so many delicious things you can do with this sauce!
How to use romesco sauce
- With roasted chicken, shrimp, or grilled meats
- With roasted or grilled vegetables
- Stirred into soups
- As a sandwich spread
- As pasta sauce
- Alongside your favorite tacos
- As a dip for fresh cut veggies
- With homemade oven fries
- With scrambled or fried eggs
I could probably go on, but let’s stop there and say that the options are limited only by your imagination 😉
A few notes on this recipe
This recipe is a super delicious gluten free, paleo, vegan, and whole30 friendly sauce to please everyone at your table. Here’s a few notes on the recipe so you can make it perfectly.
- This sauce can be made in either your food processor or blender. If you use your blender the texture will be more smooth and creamy than if you make it in the food processor.
- The recipe calls for jarred roasted red peppers, but you can also roast your own to use!
- As written, the sauce will be quite thick. If you want to thin it at all, add water a little at a time until your desired consistency is reached.
- It will keep for at least a week in a covered container in your refrigerator.
- Romesco sauce freezes well. Use an ice cube tray to freeze small servings that you can take out of the freezer to enjoy one at a time!
Love this romesco sauce recipe? Try these other yummy sauces!
- Avocado Herb Green Sauce
- Homemade Basil Pesto
- 5 Minute Pistachio Pesto
- Homemade Stir Fry Sauce
- Vegan Sour Cream Recipe
- Vegan Cheese Sauce
If you enjoyed this recipe we’d love it if you would take 5 seconds to rate and review the recipe below. It’s also super helpful for other readers if you share any changes you made! Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK! We’re so grateful you’re here.
PrintFast and Easy Romesco Sauce
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: about 1 1/2 cups 1x
Description
This fast and easy romesco sauce is made with simple ingredients that combine to make an extremely flavorful sauce that is just as versatile as it is delicious! Healthy and quick, this romesco sauce can be served with everything from roasted veggies to grilled meats. Make ahead friendly so it’s great for meal prep! Gluten free, paleo, whole30, and vegan!
Original recipe inspiration from Bon Appetit Mag.
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted red peppers
- 1 cup roasted almonds – smoked almonds add an especially delicious flavor!
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt – less if the almonds you’re using are salted
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- water to thin if desired
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until mostly smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Leave the sauce thick, or thin with a little water if desired.
- Taste and add more salt if needed.
Notes
- This romesco sauce will keep in the refrigerator for at least 1 week, if not longer
- Like pesto, you can freeze this romesco sauce in an ice cube tray and use within 3 months
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Category: sauce, condiment
Jade Beard says
I love this sauce! I regularly use it both in my personal cooking and for the family I cook for at work. Its always a hit, even with the kiddos!
★★★★★
Brooke says
I make this recipe on a weekly basis I love it so much. Kudos for a great recipe!
★★★★★
Nyssa Tanner says
Ahh thanks so much Brooke! So happy you love the recipe ☺️
Karen says
Delicious served with fish. Incredible taste and unbelievably easy
Nyssa Tanner says
love that idea, Karen! easy = top priority in my busy house! thanks for following along 🙂
Sarah | Well and Full says
This sauce looks AMAZING!! I would love it tossed with fresh pasta 🙂
Nyssa Tanner says
It’s SUPER good with pasta! I think you would love it 🙂