Grandmother Merrill's Chili Sauce

Bring the heartwarming flavors of yesteryear to your table with Grandmother Merrill's Chili Sauce, a timeless family recipe bursting with charm and taste. This homemade condiment combines the vibrant sweetness of ripe tomatoes, the tangy kick of white vinegar, and a medley of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice for a perfectly balanced sauce. Finely chopped onions and green bell peppers add depth and texture, while a hint of cayenne pepper offers optional heat. Slowly simmered over two hours, the sauce develops a rich, concentrated flavor perfect for canning. Use it to elevate roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or as a tangy topping for your favorite comfort foods. With easy-to-follow directions and classic ingredients, this traditional chili sauce is a must-try for preserving the taste of home.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:150 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 14 cups (peeled, cored, and finely chopped) ripe tomatoes
• 3 cups (finely chopped) onions
• 3 cups (finely chopped) green bell peppers
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the vegetables: Peel, core, and finely chop the tomatoes. Finely chop the onions and green bell peppers.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, combine the chopped tomatoes, onions, and green bell peppers. Stir to mix.

Step 3

Add the vinegar, sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, and optional cayenne pepper to the pot.

Step 4

Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 2 hours, continuing to stir occasionally. The mixture should thicken and the flavors will meld together during this time.

Step 6

Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed (e.g., add more salt or a pinch of spice).

Step 7

Carefully ladle the hot chili sauce into sterilized glass jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, then seal the jars with sterilized lids.

Step 8

Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure safe preservation.

Step 9

Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature before storing them in a cool, dark place. The flavors will continue to deepen over time.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5091.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2486.3

Total Fat 8.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 14357.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 593.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.4g	0%
Total Sugars 523.3g
Protein 37.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 523.5mg	0%
Iron 13.5mg	0%
Potassium 9776.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.9%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 91.3%