From crispy samosas, spring rolls, and dumplings to main courses like grilled chicken, stir-fried veggies, and prawns, today’s sweet chili sauce recipe goes with just about anything!
Among all the sauces out there, sweet chili sauce is one of the most versatile. Made with simple ingredients, sweet chili sauce has a surprisingly rich and bold flavor. The perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and savoriness is what makes this sauce stand out among other condiments. Whenever my sauce bottle runs empty, I immediately make a new batch as I need it for everything- from dipping and glazing to marinating meats. It even adds a perfect finishing note to the stir-fry dishes!
Sweet with a touch of mild heat, this sauce coats each bite in a tasty glaze and delicious flavor. Be it fried, grilled, or roasted items, this sauce brings out the best in almost any dish. For the ultimate blend of sweet and spicy flavor, enjoy today’s homemade sweet chili sauce recipe.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Variations
Have a different taste that doesn’t go with the standard sweet chili sauce? The best part about making the sauce yourself is that you can customize it as much as you want! From increasing the sweetness level to trying out a different type of spice, there are endless ways to customize this sweet chili sauce.
Adjusting Sweetness
Today’s recipe has a nice balance of sugar and chili. For a less sweeter version, simply decrease the amount of the sugar used in this recipe. You can also go for fruity sweeteners like orange juice, mango puree, or pineapple juice to enjoy a unique take on the flavor.
However, if you want your sauce to be on the sweeter side, simply add more sugar to taste. For a depth of flavor, you can use brown sugar or palm sugar instead of the white sugar used in this recipe.
Customizing Heat Level
Not feeling the right amount of kick in your sauce? Let’s amp up the heat with some hotter varieties of chilies by using serrano, cayenne or habanero pepper! You can use these pepper varieties in place of or along with the addition of the chili flakes used in this recipe.
On the other hand, if you want to tone down the spice level, go for milder varieties of chilies like bell peppers or fresh jalapenos. Consider removing the seeds from the chilies to lower the heat level by a notch.
Adding Smokiness
In addition to the sweet and spicy flavor profile of this sauce, you can introduce a new flavor: smokiness!
For those of us who are obsessed with smoky flavor, it adds an intense layer of flavor that complements the sweetness of the chili sauce. To add smokiness to your sauce, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a small amount of chipotle powder. If you prefer a natural smoky flavor instead, consider grilling the chilies before adding them to the sauce.
Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe | Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup / 67 g Sugar
- ¼ tsp / 2 g Salt
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Chili Flakes
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Chopped Garlic
- 1 tsp / 2 g Chopped Ginger
- ⅓ cup / 79 ml Water
- ⅓ cup / 79 ml White Vinegar
- 1 tbsp / 15 g Ketchup (Optional)
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Water
Equipments
- Saucepan
Instructions
Prepare The Sauce Base
- Take a small cooking pot and add ⅓ cup of sugar to it.
- Sprinkle in ¼ tsp of salt and 1 tbsp of chili flakes.
- Add 1 tbsp of chopped garlic and 1 tsp of chopped ginger to the mixture.
- Pour in ⅓ cup of water and ⅓ cup of white vinegar into the cooking pot.
- Add 1 tbsp of ketchup to the mix.
Cook The Mixture
- Turn on the heat and cook the sauce over medium-high heat.
- Stir the mixture continuously with a spatula until everything dissolves.
- Keep cooking until the sauce starts to simmer. You will see small bubbles rising up at this point.
Mix Cornstarch Slurry
- In a measuring cup, combine 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water.
- Using a spoon, mix the cornstarch slurry in the measuring cup until there are no lumps.
- Reduce the heat to medium and gradually add the cornstarch slurry into the sauce, pouring in small amounts while stirring continuously.
- Continue stirring until the sauce thickens up and becomes transparent. This process should take around 1 to 1.5 minutes.
Cool, Serve, or Store!
- Once thickened to your desired consistency, turn off the heat and transfer the sauce to a clean container.
- Let the sauce cool completely and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Video
Today’s sweet chili sauce represents the ideal combination of two bold flavors: sweet and spicy. With a thick, glossy texture of sugar and just the right amount of fiery kick from the spice, this sauce is the perfect addition to any meal. From a simple dipping sauce to the core ingredient of marinades, you can use this sauce to enhance grilled, stir-fried or glazed dishes with its perfect balance of sweet and spicy!
Recipe FAQs
How To Store Sweet Chili Sauce?
This homemade sweet chili sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month. For longer storage, store this Thai sweet chili sauce in a glass container and sterilize the jar with boiled water before storing it.
How To Adjust The Spice Level Of This Best Sweet Chili Sauce?
You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili flakes in this recipe. For a more intense flavor, you can also use chili paste. To achieve milder heat, remove the seeds of the chilies before adding them to the sauce.
What Can I Use Instead Of Vinegar In This Delicious Recipe?
For a non-vinegar sweet chili sauce, replace the white vinegar in this easy recipe with an equal amount of lemon juice or lime juice.
Can I Freeze Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce?
No, freezing this easy sweet chili sauce recipe isn’t recommended. Doing so may cause the sauce to separate or become too watery, altering its overall texture.
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