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Made with only 5 ingredients, this Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce recipe is a little sweet, a little spicy, and works in a variety of ways.
When it comes to enjoying Vegetarian Egg Rolls or Coconut Shrimp, I must have sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping. This Asian condiment is made with vinegar, red chiles, sugar, and garlic to create a thick, tangy, slightly spicy, perfectly sweet sauce that is ideal for dipping or drizzling and adds tremendous flavor to endless dishes.
Much like Pizza Sauce, Buffalo Sauce, and BBQ Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce is exceptionally easy to make at home, and its flavor (and ingredient quality) is superior to store-bought brands.
Recipe Highlights
Notes on Ingredients
- Sambal Oelek: Sweet Chili Sauce is classically made using dried red chilies. However, they're hard to find at most local grocery stores and take time and effort to rehydrate and process. Instead, I use Sambal Oelek, which you can find in the Asian section next to soy sauce at most grocery stores. It is an affordable condiment made with red chilies that replicates the authentic flavor of Sweet Chili Sauce perfectly. Bonus: You can store red chili sauce in the refrigerator for months and add it to everything from stir-fries to marinades for a pop of flavor.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is best for this recipe. It dissolves easily into the sauce and sweetens it, rather than flavoring it like honey or maple syrup would.
- Rice Vinegar: Rice Vinegar is made from fermented rice, and its tart, tangy flavor is essential to this recipe for Sweet Chili Sauce. You can find rice vinegar in any major grocery store, alongside the other kinds of vinegar, or in the Asian food section. I don't recommend substituting rice vinegar, as the flavor isn't quite the same.
- Garlic: Garlic is optional, but in my humble opinion, it adds incredible flavor. Some brands add garlic, some don't, but I highly suggest adding it - as long as you like garlic!
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch gives this Sweet Chili Sauce the thick consistency that makes it perfect for dipping. If you have a corn allergy, use equal parts tapioca or arrowroot starch instead of cornstarch. This is another great reason to make Sweet Chili Sauce at home-you can make it suitable for your dietary needs.
How to Make Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch is dissolved. Set the cornstarch mixture aside. We will use this to thicken up the sauce after it has simmered for a bit.
- Bring Mixture to a Boil. In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, water, Sambal Oelek, vinegar, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves. This should only take a minute or two.
- Simmer Until Thickened. Once the sugar is dissolved, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until the mixture thickens, whisking constantly. It should only take a minute.
- Taste Test. Let the sauce cool, then do a quick taste test to see if you need to add a pinch of salt. The sambal oelek sauce has added salt, so I find this addition unnecessary.
- Store. Once the sauce has cooled to the touch, serve or transfer it to a container or jar for storage in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
This all-purpose Thai Sweet Chili Sauce can be used in a wide range of dishes, from soups to stir-fries to serving alongside fish, chicken, or noodles to liven up your meal. While the options for using this sweet chili sauce are endless, below are some of my favorite uses.
- Sweet Chili Sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for Baked Coconut Shrimp, Egg Rolls, or Vegetable Pot Stickers.
- Use this sauce to make creamy Bang Bang Sauce and Bang Bang Shrimp.
- Instead of classic buffalo-flavored chicken wings, toss Instant Pot Chicken Wings or Boneless Buffalo Wings in the sweet chili sauce after cooking.
- Use this sauce as a dip for Baked Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, or Oven Baked Fries.
- Top grilled meat or sautéed tofu with a tablespoon of the Sweet Chili Sauce for a flavorful, simple dish.
- Make a quick, creamy, sweet, and spicy appetizer by topping a block of cream cheese with sweet chili sauce, or try it as a topping on whipped brie or baked brie.
- Use for seasoning Asian Lettuce Wraps or in place of the soy sauce in Stir-Fried Chicken and Bok Choy.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons to Fried Rice for extra flavor.
- Skip the classic Peanut Dipping Sauce, and serve Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce instead.
More Homemade Condiments
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Sweet Chili Sauce
Made with only 5 ingredients, this Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and can be used in a variety of ways.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water, for cornstarch slurry
- ⅓ cup water , for sauce
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water until dissolved. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the ⅓ cup water , ⅓ cup sugar, ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek, and ½ teaspoon minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil just until the sugar is dissolved.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, whisk in the cornstarch slurry, and cook until the mixture is thickened, whisking constantly. It should only take a minute.
- Cool the sauce and then serve immediately or transfer to a storage container.
Notes
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container or jar. This sauce does not freeze well. If the sauce thickens up too much as it sits, simply add a splash of warm water and whisk well or microwave for 10-15 seconds and then whisk.
Cornstarch: In place of cornstarch, use equal parts of tapioca starch or arrowroot starch.
Nutrition
Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 21mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Just tried this a couple of weeks ago, and already making it again, doubling the recipe this time! It is a big hit at our house. I will never buy store bought again! My husband loves spicy, but I don't like mine as hot, so this time I only used about 2 teaspoons of the Sambal Oelek. The only issue I have, is I have a hard time getting the sauce to thicken as the instructions state. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Any tips? Thank you, and thank you for sharing your recipe!
Hi Mary! I am thrilled you enjoy so much! As for thickening, try 1 tablespoon of cornstarch instead of just 2 teaspoons (for double batch use 2 tablespoons mixed with 2 tablespoons water). And be sure to simmer after adding to help thicken.
I had serious doubts thinking this would not turn our right and it was delicious! I substituted white wine vinegar because I didn't have rice wine but it was still amazing. Thank you.
I am so glad it was what you were looking for Kim!
Fantastic recipe. I use this sauce all the time!
Bookmarking to use again! I usually need to run to the store to buy chili sauce. This is so simple to make at home. Perfect for dipping shrimp. Thank you!
So glad you found this easy Sandra! Glad I can help save you a trip to the store.
I find your recipes very interesting.
Love it
YAY! So glad you found this recipe Sara!