Zesty Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe That Packs a Punch

Sweet heat dances through this homemade chili sauce, promising a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds sing.

Bold ingredients merge into a magical condiment you can craft right in your kitchen.

Spicy and tangy notes blend seamlessly, creating a versatile companion for countless dishes.

Fresh peppers and simple pantry staples come together with surprising ease.

A few strategic steps separate you from restaurant-quality magic in a jar.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment stand between you and this incredible sauce.

Each dollop promises to elevate meals from ordinary to extraordinary.

Get ready to become the sauce master of your culinary domain.

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Benefits

• Craft Quickly: Super simple recipe that requires no baking, perfect for busy people wanting a fast, nutritious snack.
• Boost Nutrition: Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, almond butter, pumpkin, and flaxseed, delivering natural energy and essential nutrients.
• Customize Creatively: Easily adaptable with optional chocolate chips or different spices, allowing personal flavor twists that suit individual tastes.
• Meal Prep Marvel: Make ahead and store in refrigerator or freezer, providing convenient grab-and-go treats for busy mornings or post-workout snacking.

Ingredients For Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

• Chili Peppers: Fresh peppers that provide the foundational heat and flavor of the sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the sweet chili sauce.

• Rice Vinegar, Water: Liquid base that helps blend and balance the sauce's overall taste.
• Fish Sauce: Salty condiment that enhances the umami and savory profile of the sauce.
• Ketchup: Adds sweetness and a rich tomato undertone to the sauce.

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the signature sweet chili sauce flavor.
• Cornstarch, Cold Water: Creates a smooth thickening agent that gives the sauce its perfect consistency.

How To Prepare Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

Step 1: Gather Flavor-Packed Ingredients

Collect the ingredients that will transform your kitchen into a sweet and spicy paradise. You’ll need fresh chili peppers, fragrant garlic, tangy rice vinegar, pure water, granulated sugar, umami-rich fish sauce, and zesty ketchup.

Step 2: Create Flavor Fusion

• Chopped chili peppers
• Minced garlic
• Rice vinegar
• Water
• Sugar
• Fish sauce
• Ketchup

Step 3: Bring to Boiling Point

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

Watch the ingredients dance and blend together.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Depth

Lower the heat and let the sauce gently simmer.

Allow the flavors to mingle and develop a rich, complex profile for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare Thickening Magic

In a separate small bowl, whisk cold water with cornstarch until silky smooth.

Step 6: Transform Sauce Texture

Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce. Stir continuously to create a luscious, glossy consistency.

Step 7: Perfect the Sauce

Continue simmering for an additional 2-3 minutes. The sauce will thicken and become gloriously rich.

Step 8: Cool and Store

Remove from heat and let the sauce cool completely. Transfer to a clean jar, ready to elevate any dish with its sweet and spicy charm.

Tips For Perfect Sweet Chili Sauce

• Select fresh, vibrant chili peppers for maximum flavor and heat intensity.
• Adjust sugar levels to balance sweetness and spiciness according to personal preference.
• Strain the sauce for a smoother texture if you prefer less chunky consistency.
• Use gloves when handling hot peppers to prevent skin irritation.
• Store homemade sauce in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Variations To Try With Sweet Chili Sauce

• Mango Sweet Chili Sauce: Blend ripe mango chunks into the base recipe for a tropical, fruity version with natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Smoky Chipotle Chili Sauce: Replace fresh chili peppers with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to create a deeper, smokier flavor profile with a rich undertone.
• Ginger-Infused Sweet Chili Sauce: Add freshly grated ginger during the initial cooking process to introduce a warm, spicy complexity and aromatic depth.
• Low-Sugar Sweet Chili Sauce: Substitute sugar with honey or agave nectar for a lighter, more natural sweetener while maintaining the classic sauce's fundamental taste.

Serving Suggestions For Sweet Chili Sauce

• Arrange crispy chicken wings, spring rolls, and vegetable sticks around a small bowl of sweet chili sauce. Perfect for party appetizers or game day snacking that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Brush the sauce over grilled shrimp, salmon, or chicken during the last few minutes of cooking. Creates a glossy, caramelized coating that adds explosive flavor to any protein, transforming simple meals into restaurant-quality dishes.
• Drizzle the homemade sauce inside wraps, spread on sandwiches, or use as a vibrant condiment for burgers. Adds a tangy, sweet kick that elevates everyday lunch options with a zesty punch of Southeast Asian inspiration.

Proper Storage For Sweet Chili Sauce

• Transfer the cooled sweet chili sauce to a clean, airtight glass jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Keep the sauce refrigerated for up to 2-3 weeks, maintaining its fresh flavor and vibrant color.
• Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to prevent flavor degradation and maintain quality.
• Pour the sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the refrigerator when needed.

FAQs

• What type of chili peppers work best for this sauce?

Red Thai chilies or red jalapeños are ideal, offering the perfect balance of heat and flavor for the sweet chili sauce.

• Can I make this sauce less spicy?

Absolutely! Remove the chili seeds or use fewer peppers to reduce the heat level while maintaining the sauce’s delicious taste.

• Is fish sauce necessary for the recipe?

Fish sauce adds depth and umami flavor, but you can substitute it with soy sauce if needed or omit it for a vegetarian version.

• How long will the homemade sweet chili sauce last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the sauce typically stays fresh for 2-3 weeks.

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet chili sauce delivers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness from classic Thai ingredients. Bold flavors blend seamlessly, creating a versatile condiment you’ll want to drizzle on everything from spring rolls to grilled meats.

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Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3–4 red chili peppers (chopped)
• 3–4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tbsps fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegan version)
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsps cold water

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and prepare a medium saucepan for creating the sweet chili sauce.
2. Combine chopped chili peppers, minced garlic, rice vinegar, water, sugar, fish sauce, and ketchup in the saucepan.
3. Heat the mixture over medium temperature, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves and ingredients integrate.
4. Allow the liquid to reach a rolling boil, then reduce heat to create a gentle simmer.
5. Let the sauce bubble softly for 7-8 minutes, which helps develop deep, complex flavor profiles.
6. Whisk cornstarch with cold water in a separate small bowl until creating a smooth, lump-free slurry.
7. Slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce, stirring consistently to prevent clumping.
8. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching the sauce transform and thicken to a glossy, rich consistency.
9. Remove the saucepan from heat source and allow sauce to cool completely at room temperature.
10. Transfer the finished sweet chili sauce into a clean glass jar with a tight-sealing lid for refrigeration and storage.

Notes

• Adjust spice levels by selecting different chili peppers, like jalapeños for milder heat or habaneros for intense kick.
• Create a vegetarian version by substituting fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari for deeper umami flavor.
• Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove pepper seeds if you prefer smoother, less textured sauce consistency.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 54 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg