The Zestiest Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Ever

Unleash a burst of tangy and sweet homemade sweet chili sauce that will revolutionize your condiment game.

This vibrant sauce brings incredible depth to countless dishes.

Bold flavors dance together in a simple yet spectacular blend of ingredients.

Crafted with care, each ingredient contributes to a remarkable taste experience.

The recipe combines common pantry staples with surprising twists.

Drizzle it over grilled meats, stir into stir-fries, or use as a dipping sauce for an instant flavor boost.

You’ll become the culinary hero who transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary dining moments.

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce – Tangy and Versatile

• Whip Up Quickly: This sweet chili sauce comes together in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want to add a burst of flavor to their meals.
• Customize Your Kick: Easily adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of sambal oelek, giving you total control over the spiciness of your sauce.
• Versatile Flavor Booster: Ideal for dipping, marinading, or drizzling over various dishes like spring rolls, grilled meats, or as a zesty condiment for sandwiches and appetizers.
• Preserve and Enjoy: Stores beautifully in the refrigerator, allowing you to have a homemade sauce ready to elevate your cooking whenever you need a flavor punch.

Ingredients for Sweet Chili Sauce Creation

• Water: The liquid foundation that helps dissolve and blend other ingredients.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps balance the sauce’s flavor profile.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to the sweet chili sauce.

• Sambal Oelek: A spicy chili paste that delivers heat and complex pepper flavor.
• Garlic: Contributes a pungent and aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Fish Sauce: Adds a savory umami undertone to enhance overall taste.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a slurry that helps thicken and stabilize the sauce consistency.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile of the sweet chili sauce.

Cooking Steps for Sweet Chili Sauce Perfection

Step 1: Combine Flavor Base

Toss water, sugar, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, minced garlic, and fish sauce into a saucepan.

These ingredients will create a tantalizing foundation for your homemade sauce, blending sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.

Step 2: Bring to Boiling Point

Heat the mixture over medium flame, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves.

Watch as the ingredients transform and meld together, releasing their aromatic potential.

Step 3: Create Thickening Mixture

In a separate small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to form a smooth slurry.

This magical mixture will help your sauce reach the perfect consistency.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Gradually pour the cornstarch slurry into the saucepan, stirring constantly.

The liquid will begin to transform, becoming more viscous and glossy right before your eyes.

Step 5: Simmer to Perfection

Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes.

During this time, the sauce will continue to thicken and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.

Step 6: Cool and Store

Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely.

Transfer your freshly made sweet chili sauce to a clean jar and refrigerate.

This homemade condiment will keep for several weeks, ready to elevate any dish with its vibrant taste.

Tips for Balanced Sweet Chili Sauce Every Time

• Adjust sugar quantity to match your preferred sweetness level, using less for a tangier sauce or more for a sweeter profile.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry slowly and steadily to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, even thickening of the sauce.
• Experiment with different chili varieties like sriracha or fresh chopped chilies to customize heat intensity and flavor complexity.
• Keep homemade sweet chili sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
• Use as a dipping sauce, marinade, or glaze for proteins like chicken, shrimp, or tofu to elevate various dishes.

Sweet Chili Sauce – Fun Flavor Variations

• Vegan Sweet Chili Sauce: Replace fish sauce with soy sauce or liquid aminos for a plant-based version that maintains rich umami flavor.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with honey or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic sweet-spicy profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Ginger Kick: Add fresh grated ginger or ground ginger powder to enhance the sauce’s warmth and complexity for heat lovers.

Creative Serving Ideas for Sweet Chili Sauce

• Sauce Sidekick Platter: Pair this sweet chili sauce with crispy spring rolls, chicken wings, or grilled shrimp for a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance.
• Dipping Delight Station: Create a fun appetizer spread with fresh veggies, dumplings, and egg rolls, allowing guests to drizzle and dunk this homemade sauce however they like.
• Marinade Magic: Use the sauce as a quick marinade for grilled meats like chicken or pork, transforming ordinary proteins into a tangy, sweet sensation that brings excitement to weeknight dinners.
• Condiment Creativity: Drizzle over rice bowls, stir into stir-fries, or use as a glaze for roasted vegetables to add a spicy-sweet kick that elevates simple dishes.

Sweet Chili Sauce – Storage for Dipping and Drizzling

• Store the sweet chili sauce in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor contamination.
• Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, which works great for longer-term preservation.
• Gently warm the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and maintain smooth consistency.
• Transfer desired amount to a microwave-safe bowl, heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.

FAQs

• What is sambal oelek and can I substitute it?

Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili paste made from ground fresh chilies. You can substitute with sriracha, red chili flakes, or fresh chopped red chilies if unavailable.

• Is fish sauce necessary for this recipe?

Fish sauce adds depth and umami flavor, but it’s optional. If you want a vegetarian version or don’t like fish sauce, you can skip it without significantly affecting the overall taste.

• How spicy will this sweet chili sauce be?

The spice level depends on the amount of sambal oelek or chili you use. For a milder sauce, use less chili; for more heat, add more. You can control the spiciness to suit your taste preferences.

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Spicy homemade sweet chili sauce delivers a tangy explosion of flavor that dances across your palate. Crafted with fresh ingredients and simple techniques, this sauce promises to elevate your culinary creations with its irresistible zest.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Peppers and Spices:

• 8 to 10 red chili peppers
• 4 to 5 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt

Sweeteners and Liquids:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce

Thickening Agents:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (30 grams / 1 ounce)

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients in a medium saucepan, blending water, sugar, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, minced garlic, fish sauce, and salt into a harmonious mixture.
2. Activate the stovetop to medium heat, stirring the liquid concoction until sugar completely dissolves and creates a smooth base.
3. Create a cornstarch binding agent by whisking cornstarch with water in a separate small bowl until completely integrated.
4. Gradually introduce the cornstarch slurry into the simmering liquid, continuously stirring to ensure uniform thickening and prevent clumping.
5. Lower the temperature and allow the sauce to gently simmer for approximately 5 minutes, monitoring its consistency as it transforms into a rich, glossy condiment.
6. Extinguish the heat and permit the sweet chili sauce to cool naturally at room temperature for several minutes.
7. Transfer the finished sauce into a clean glass jar, sealing tightly and refrigerating to preserve its vibrant flavors and optimal texture.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing sambal oelek for personalized heat intensity.
• Create a vegetarian version by replacing fish sauce with soy sauce or liquid aminos for similar umami depth.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding a splash of lime juice or ginger during initial cooking for brighter, more vibrant taste profile.
• Store sauce in an airtight container for up to two weeks in refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop richer undertones.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 86 kcal
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg