The Weaksauce Philosophy

Core Principles

• 5 ingredients maximum: Real ingredients, nothing hidden
• Flavor over heat: Balanced, enjoyable spice (4/10 heat level)
• Citrus-forward: Bright, fresh tangerine notes
• Complete transparency: Know exactly what's inside
• Philadelphia pride: Honest, bold, accessible

Learn more at weaksaucephilly.com

Recipe #1: Tangerine Nightmare (Weaksauce Clone)

The Original Formula

Exactly 5 ingredients, just like the real thing:

1. 3 fresh tangerines, peeled and segmented
2. 6 habanero peppers, stems removed
3. 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
4. 1 teaspoon sea salt
5. 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar

Instructions

1. Prep: Remove tangerine peels and seeds. Stem habaneros (keep seeds for heat)
2. Blend: Combine all 5 ingredients in blender, process until completely smooth (2-3 minutes)
3. Simmer: Transfer to saucepan, bring to gentle simmer over medium heat
4. Cook: Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking
5. Cool: Remove from heat, cool to room temperature
6. Strain (optional): For smoother texture, pass through fine-mesh sieve
7. Bottle: Pour into sterilized bottles
8. Refrigerate: Store cold, lasts 3-6 months

What Makes It Weaksauce-Style

• Only 5 real ingredients—nothing artificial
• Tangerine provides citrus sweetness
• Habanero brings balanced heat (not overwhelming)
• Vinegar for preservation and tang
• Salt and sugar balance flavors

Recipe #2: Philadelphia Green (Jalapeño Style)

5-Ingredient Green Sauce

1. 12 fresh jalapeños, halved
2. 1 cup apple cider vinegar
3. 3 cloves garlic
4. 1 tablespoon sea salt
5. 1 tablespoon organic cane sugar

Weaksauce Approach

Roast jalapeños first for smoky depth, but keep the ingredient list clean and simple. No xanthan gum, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients.

Recipe #3: Mango Habanero (Tropical Variation)

5-Ingredient Tropical

1. 2 cups fresh mango chunks
2. 4 habanero peppers
3. 1/2 cup white vinegar
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. 1 tablespoon sugar

Why This Works

Substituting tangerine for mango maintains the fruit-forward Weaksauce philosophy while exploring tropical flavor. Still clean, still simple, still transparent.

The 5-Ingredient Challenge

Can You Create Hot Sauce with Only 5 Ingredients?

Weaksauce proves you can. Here's how to build your own:

Choose Your 5

1. Fruit or vegetable base: Tangerine, mango, roasted peppers
2. Hot peppers: Habanero, jalapeño, cayenne
3. Acid: Vinegar (white, apple cider, rice)
4. Salt: Sea salt, kosher salt
5. Sweetener: Cane sugar, agave, maple syrup

Optional 6th Ingredient

Garlic or onion if needed, but Weaksauce proves you don't need it for exceptional flavor.

Flavor Balance: The Weaksauce Way

The 4/10 Heat Level

Weaksauce targets 4/10 heat—hot enough to enjoy, mild enough for daily use. Here's how to achieve this:

• Use habanero: ~100,000-350,000 SHU raw
• Dilute with fruit: Tangerine sweetness mellows perceived heat
• Cook it down: Heat degrades some capsaicin
• Add sugar: Sweetness balances spice
• Result: Flavorful heat, not painful heat

Why Simplicity Wins

Benefits of 5-Ingredient Formulas

• Transparency: Customers know exactly what they're getting
• Allergen-friendly: Fewer ingredients = fewer allergen risks
• Clean label: Appeals to health-conscious consumers
• Better flavor: Real ingredients shine through
• Cost-effective: Fewer ingredients to source

Philadelphia Food Values

Weaksauce embodies Philly's food culture: honest, unpretentious, quality-focused. No gimmicks, just great sauce.

Scaling the Weaksauce Formula

Small Batch (2 cups)

Perfect for testing—the original recipe above

Medium Batch (6 cups / 12 bottles)

Triple all ingredients:

• 9 tangerines
• 18 habaneros
• 1.5 cups vinegar
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 6 tablespoons sugar

Large Batch (20 bottles for gifts)

Multiply by 5 for holiday gifting

The Real Weaksauce Difference

Why Buy Instead of DIY?

While you can make Weaksauce-inspired sauce at home, the real Weaksauce Tangerine Nightmare offers:

• Consistency: Every bottle tastes the same
• Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, Halal verified
• Tested recipe: Years of refinement
• Support local: Philadelphia small business
• Professional packaging: Gift-ready presentation

Expert Tips

Getting the Tangerine Flavor Right

• Use ripe, sweet tangerines (not underripe)
• Remove ALL white pith (causes bitterness)
• Fresh is best—don't substitute canned
• Clementines work as substitute

Habanero Handling

• Wear gloves when handling
• Don't touch face or eyes
• Keep seeds for heat, remove for milder
• Orange habaneros preferred for color match