Description
Sweet chili sauce is a classic Asian-inspired condiment that balances sweetness with a mild heat. This easy homemade version lets you control the ingredients, customize the spice level, and avoid preservatives. Whether you’re dipping spring rolls, glazing chicken, or enhancing stir-fries, this sauce will add a delicious punch of flavor to your dishes!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 Thai red chilies (or 1 tsp red pepper flakes, for milder heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sugar (granulated or brown)
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 1½ tbsp water for thickening)
Optional Add-Ins for More Depth:
- 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup (for natural sweetness)
- ½ tbsp soy sauce (adds umami)
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (for extra warmth)
- 1 tbsp pineapple juice (for tropical sweetness)
Instructions
1. Blend the Ingredients
- Finely chop the chilies and garlic (or use a small food processor).
- In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, vinegar, salt, garlic, and chilies.
2. Simmer the Sauce
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to develop flavors.
3. Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
- Slowly add the slurry to the sauce while stirring.
- Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
4. Cool & Store
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Transfer to a clean, airtight jar and refrigerate.
Notes
- For more heat: Add extra Thai chilies or use red Fresno peppers.
- For less spice: Swap Thai chilies for red bell pepper or reduce the amount.
- For a sugar-free version: Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol.
- Storage: Keeps for 2-3 weeks in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian, Thai-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving - 1 tbsp
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sweet chili sauce, homemade sauce, dipping sauce, Thai sauce, easy chili sauce