Description
This sweet chili sauce recipe creates the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in just 15 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this homemade version is fresher and more flavorful than store-bought alternatives. Perfect for dipping spring rolls, glazing chicken, or adding to stir-fries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1/4 cup water
- 3–4 fresh red chilies, finely minced (or 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional, for umami)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Mince chilies, garlic, and ginger. Create cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tbsp cornstarch with 3 tbsp cold water until smooth.
- Combine base: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, minced chilies, garlic, ginger, and salt. Stir to dissolve sugar.
- Bring to boil: Heat over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a rolling boil. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Add thickener: Slowly pour cornstarch slurry into simmering sauce while whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Thicken sauce: Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce coats the back of a spoon and has a glossy appearance.
- Final seasoning: Remove from heat. Add optional fish sauce, sesame oil, or lime juice to taste.
- Cool and store: Allow to cool completely before transferring to sterilized jars. Sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
Notes
For less heat, remove seeds from chilies or reduce quantity. Sauce keeps in refrigerator for up to 3 months. Can be frozen in ice cube trays for convenient portions. If sauce becomes too thick, thin with warm water. For smoother texture, strain through fine-mesh sieve while warm. This sweet chili sauce recipe is naturally gluten-free when made with cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sweet chili sauce recipe, homemade sweet chili sauce, easy sweet chili sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, dipping sauce, condiment recipe, Asian sauce, gluten-free sauce