Hawaiian chili pepper water is a great way to spice up your life! It’s simple to make at home and be added to all your favorite recipes. It’s versatile, delicious, and good for you—what more could you ask for?
Tangy and spicy Hawaiian chili water or wai nioi is the perfect way to get your taste buds into gear and add a little spice to your favorite dishes. A spicy condiment that every house needs.
Add it to your loco moco or shoyu chicken for an added kick.
What are Hawaiian chili peppers?
Hawaiian chili peppers are are a type of chili pepper that is native to the Hawaiian islands. It’s spicy, but they have a sweet, fruity flavor that makes them great for cooking.
They’re available in a range of sizes, from tiny to extra large. Their heat level varies from mild to medium and even hot and have a rating of 50,000 to 70,000 on the Scoville scale.
What is Hawaiian chili pepper water?
Chili pepper water is a traditional Hawaiian condiment made with water infused with the flavor of Hawaiian chili peppers. Commonly served with meals in Hawai’i, but it can also be used as a mixer with other drinks like vodka or rum. Or you can try it on its own—it’s delicious!
Benefits of chili pepper water
- Chili pepper water is rich in vitamin C and capsaicin, which have both been shown to boost immunity
- Hawaiian chili water can also help clear sinuses and improve circulation
- Not to mention, it tastes great! A little heat goes a long way. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to spice up your life, reach for the good old chili water
Ingredients
(Full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post)
- Water
- Vinegar. White vinegar works best, but you can substitute for your apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Hawaiian salt. You can find this at a farmers’ market or your local grocery store in Hawai’i. You can also order online.
- Hawaiian chili peppers. Add a little or a lot depending on your spice tolerance. If you don’t have any nearby you can replace with yellow peppers, thai chilies, or red serrano peppers.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic is best.
How to make chili pepper water?
The key to good chili pepper water is well, the chili peppers. Hawaiian chili peppers have the best flavor. Stop by your local farmers market or grocery store to pick some up. If you can’t find any you can replace it with the chilis of your choice.
You’ll want to infuse the water with the chili flavor. To make your Hawaiian hot sauce set a pot over high heat. Add water and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat to a simmer.
Next the flavor packed additions. Add vinegar, Hawaiian salt, chopped peppers, and garlic. Some people like to add soy sauce and limu kohu. You can add that here if you’d like. Simmer for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors combine.
You can store this in food safe containers like glass bottles or a glass jar. I like to use mason jars. Be sure your jar is sterilized. Pour your fresh chili pepper water in the jar and give it a good shake. Cool to room temperature and place in the refrigerator to cool.
Ideally, you want to let the mixture sit for a few days to let the flavors develop. But if you can’t wait it’s okay to use now.
Tips for the best Hawaiian chili water
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Store chili pepper water in an air tight container that is food safe.
- Allow the chili pepper water to sit for a few days to develop the best flavors.
Frequently asked questions
Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that can help reduce inflammation and pain in the body. They also have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Chili pepper water can be used to add a little kick to your favorite dishes. Things like soups and stews, poke and other seafood, really any dish that you’d like to add a little more spice.
I suggest storing your water in the refrigerator to maintain the flavor and color.
Recipes that are great to add Hawaiian chili pepper water to
- Fried saimin
- Furikake chicken
- Steak bites
- Hawaiian beef stew
- Mac salad
Hawaiian Chili Pepper Water
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Hawaiian salt
- 10 Hawaiian chili peppers diced, or more if you want more spice
- 4 cloves garlic diced
Instructions
- Set a pot over high heat. Add water and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling reduce heat to a simmer
- Add in vinegar, Hawaiian salt, chili peppers, and garlic. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Pour in a sterilized jar and store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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Just a question… I’ve had Chili Pepper Water with Shoyu in it. Would you happen to have a recipe for it? I just love it!
Sorry I don’t. But you can add shoyu to this base and cut back on the added salt.
Love this! We love all things spicy and this is just the kick I need when cooking at home. I can’t wait to try all your suggestions!
So great to hear. Hope you enjoy!
This is great for an immune boost!
A spicy kick to start the day.
This is so clever! Thank you so much for sharing. Great recipe!
Thank you. Happy Holidays.
I don’t know how you came up with this genious idea, but I am so glad you did! We are huge fans of spicy food, so this water is right in our wheelhouse. I made 2 batches of this water and it was gone in minutes!
Aloha. Yay. Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Have a great day.
What a delicious way to spice up various dishes and drinks! I made some a few days ago and tasted it today. It brought a delicious kick to my vinaigrette.
So awesome to hear. Thank you for sharing.