You are going to love this Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce! Making this sauce at home is a game-changer—sweetness meets heat in a perfect balance. It's very easy, taking your dishes to the next level.
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What is sweet chili sauce?
This sauce is a staple in Asian cuisine, particularly in Thai, Philippines and Vietnamese dishes. Sweet, spicy, and tangy, it’s a flavor-packed perfect as a sauce, marinade or even stir-fries. While it’s often available premade in the Asian or International aisle of most grocery stores, nothing beats the taste of homemade Sweet Chili Sauce!
Sweet chili sauce is a great add-on for any meal. Its sweet and spicy flavor makes everything tastier. I love using this in marinades like my Sweet Chili Chicken and adding it to my stir fries like Crispy Beef Rice Bowl.
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Ingredients
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar
- Sambal oelek
- Cornstarch slurry (mixture of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water)
- Salt
- Red chili flakes (optional if you want more heat)
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make sweet chili sauce
- Add all the ingredients except cornstarch slurry.
- Bring everything to a low simmer. Simmer for a couple of minutes
(10 minutes). - Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cornstarch slurry mix until thick.
- Cool and add to a mason jar or any airtight container.
Substitutions
- Rice vinegar - White wine vinegar, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
- Sugar - Honey, white sugar coconut sugar, Fmaple syrup, or agave nectar
- Sambal oelek - Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (hot sauce, spicy chili sauce, garlic powder, fresh garlic, fish sauce or homemade sauces)
- Cornstarch slurry - Arrowroot, tapioca starch or potato starch slurry
- Salt - Soy sauce or tamari
- Red chili flakes - red chili peppers, red bell peppers, red chilies spicy sauce, red pepper flakes, red chilies, sweet chili shrimp, authentic sweet chili sauce (Thai sweet chili sauce) Cayenne pepper or paprika
Equipment
- measuring spoons and cups
- small pot
- mason jar
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How to store
- Refrigeration: Always store homemade sauce in the refrigerator. It helps maintain its freshness and prevents the growth of bacteria. Seal it tightly in an airtight container.
- Cool Before Refrigerating: Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator. This prevents condensation inside the container, which can lead to bacterial growth.
- Date your sauces: If you've made homemade sauces, be sure to label the container with the date and check periodically for any signs of spoilage.
Sweet Chili Sauce - FAQs
The unique taste comes from a blend of sugar, chili, and vinegar, creating a sweet and spicy balance.
If it's too thick, add water; if too thin, use a cornstarch mix. Mix the cornstarch with water first to prevent lumps.
Cool it before sealing it in a container. Check dates, label them, and discard them if they show signs of spoilage.
Related
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Recipes that use this sauce
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this:
Sweet Chili Sauce (only 5 ingredients)
You are going to love this Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce! Making this sauce at home is a game-changer—sweetness meets heat in a perfect balance. It's very easy, taking your dishes to the next level.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: makes 1 and a half cup of sauce 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Simmer
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup sugar
¼ cup sambal oelek
2 tablespoon cornstarch slurry (mixture of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tsp red chili flakes (optional for more heat)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients in a small pot except the cornstarch slurry.
- Bring everything to a low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the cornstarch slurry mix until thick.
- Cool and add to a mason jar or any airtight container.
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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