Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

2024-08-26 /Posted byYoga Pit / 5

Sweet, spicy and tastes just right. This recipe is easy to create and makes for an ideal staple seasoning. It’s Sweet Chili Sauce time!

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Sweet chili sauce is a popular condiment that first originated in Thailand. It is known for its magnificent blend of sweet and heat. It’s oh-so-versatile and is often used as a dip for appetizers like spring rolls, as well as being served alongside chicken and rice, noodle bowls and in soups like Phở. It adds a tangy kick to stir-fries, salads, and makes for a wonderful marinade. The sauce comes in various heat levels and often includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, or lime for added dimension. The cherry on top? This sweet chili sauce is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, so it works great for a variety of dietary needs.

The sweet chili sauce in this recipe is both sweet and savory. With just a hint of spice, I love to use it on just about everything. Pair it with soy sauce and you have the best marinade for Teriyaki Chicken rice bowls. It also makes a great side dressing for these Soba Noodles. Dice up some eggplant or mushrooms, maybe both, and sauté in this sauce and pour over a bed of rice. You will thank me later!

Is Sweet Chili Sauce Healthy?

With only a few ingredients, not only is it fresh and clean but much better for you than a store-bought chili sauce. The fresh minced garlic, ginger and chili peppers have nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, zinc, sulfur and vitamins C, A and B.

For a healthier alternative, you can swap the granulated sugar for coconut sugar or honey. You can also replace the cornstarch with either arrowroot powder, rice flour, or tapioca starch. Arrowroot powder is easily digestible, gluten-free, and a common replacement in vegan baking. And if you are wondering what arrowroot is, you are not alone. It is made from a plant root that is ground into a powder, acting as a great source of starch and is also sometimes used in Ayurvedic medicine.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons finely chopped red chili peppers

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Mix water, sugar, and vinegar; dissolve sugar.

Simmer

Add garlic, ginger, and chili; simmer to blend flavors.

Thicken

Add cornstarch slurry; thicken sauce.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Once made, this sauce can be stored in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks. The high sugar content helps the sauce last longer, so to ensure it stays fresh, make sure you’re not contaminating it with other food particles.

Adjust the Heat…

Control the spiciness by removing the pith (the soft, white membrane that lines the inside of the pepper just below the stem) and the seeds from the chilies before cooking. If you want more spice, keep them right where they are and let it burn!!

Balance Those Flavors

Try incorporating tamari or soy sauce for added flavor and depth. It also helps balance the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

This sweet chili sauce is a wonderful item to prepare in advance and keep on hand for various uses. It makes a great dipping sauce, glaze, salad dressing, or marinade.

Pour your sauce over some freshly steamed brown rice and grilled veggies. Try it as a dip for Firecracker Chicken or Shrimp Spring Rolls, or maybe drizzle it over these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Whatever you decide, I have no doubt this sauce will season your food just right. Enjoy!