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Regardless of if you're sprucing up bottled sauce or making it entirely from scratch, my Sweet Chili Sauce recipe is here to help! Packed with sweet and savory flavor, this perfect Thai dipping sauce is done in 5 minutes or less with easy pantry ingredients.
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Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
If you've tried my reader favorite Chinese prawns, you know this deliciously sweet and spicy chili sauce already! Made from a delicious mix of easy pantry ingredients, this easy sweet chili sauce is perfect as a bottled sweet chili sauce substitution or a Thai dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, and more.
I'm a huge fan of making my own homemade sauce recipes. From yum yum sauce to teriyaki glaze, I just can't help it- I have to try to make my own version of every bottled sauce. Or, even better, why not take a bottled sauce and spruce it up? There's no going wrong!
This recipe is here so that no matter what you're working with, be it chili paste or bottled sauce, you'll be able to make a quick and delicious chili sauce perfect for glazing shrimp, chicken, using for dipping, and more.
Loved it! Quick and easy, will definitely be making it again. I doubled the sauce ingredients even though there were only 2 of us.
Tools to Make Sweet Chili Sauce
- A small skillet or saucepan for simmering the sauce.
- A skillet-safe whisk for stirring!
Ingredients in Sweet Chili Sauce
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil has a great flavor, but if you need a substitution, canola oil is a nice neutral oil. I recommend adding sesame seeds unless an allergy is present.
- Soy sauce: For a gluten-free alternative, try tamari. For soy-free, use coconut aminos and less honey.
- Honey: Adjust to taste! Alternatively you can use white sugar.
- Sweet chili sauce or Red pepper flakes or Chili paste: This is where you can get creative. For ease, you can absolutely just use bottled sweet chili sauce, as it already has the red chili, thickening agents, and sweetness. Alternatively, you can use red chili flakes for a hotter sauce, or Sambal Oelek (or another red chili paste) for that intense chili flavor.
- Rice wine vinegar: Rice vinegar has a unique sweetness perfect for this sauce.
- Garlic powder: I recommend powder instead of fresh garlic as it has a more mellow flavor, less likely to overpower the sauce.
- (Optional) Cornstarch: If you're making this sauce with anything but pre-made sweet chili sauce, make sure to add 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed into water to thicken it.
- (Optional) Thai red chili peppers: For an extra bit of chili kick, you can dice up some raw Thai chili peppers to sprinkle in at the end.
Isabel's Top Tip
You can use this Thai sweet chili sauce recipe to make your own chili sauce from scratch by using chili paste, or use the pre-made condiment and enhance it. There's no shame in enhancing a bottled sauce, especially if your local grocery store doesn't stock Sambal Oelek.
Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon Sweet chili sauce - or 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek
- Splash Rice wine vinegar
- ½ Tablespoon Garlic powder
Optional
- 1 Red chili pepper - finely minced
- 3 Spring onions - sliced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, and whisk well to combine.3 Tablespoons Soy sauce,1 Tablespoon Honey,1 Tablespoon Sesame oil,1 Tablespoon Sweet chili sauce,Splash Rice wine vinegar,½ Tablespoon Garlic powder
- Turn the burner to medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer for 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from the heat, add in optional chopped chili and green onions, and serve!1 Red chili pepper,3 Spring onions
Notes
- Remember to taste test, especially if you're using bottled sweet chili sauce. Every brand is different so you may need to adjust the sweetness and spice to your tastes.
- When using sambal oelek or any other pickled red chili paste, you'll need to add more sweetener like honey or sugar. Pastes are much stronger than bottled chili sauce, so make sure to taste and adjust!
- I recommend making this sauce right before serving as it tastes at its best when its fresh, but it also lasts great in the fridge.
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Isabel! I've been sharing my recipes online, in cookbooks, and in TV specials since 2012. The most important thing to me is Sunday supper with my family, and inspiring togetherness with my recipes!
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Expert Tips
- Remember to taste test, especially if you're using bottled sweet chili sauce. Every brand is different so you may need to adjust the sweetness and spice to your tastes.
- When using sambal oelek or any other pickled red chili paste, you'll need to add more sweetener like honey or sugar. Pastes are much stronger than bottled chili sauce, so make sure to taste and adjust!
- I recommend making this sauce right before serving as it tastes at its best when its fresh, but it also lasts great in the fridge.
Sweet Chili Sauce Storage
- Refrigerator: Stored in glass jars or an airtight container, this sauce will last up to 5 days in the fridge. I do not recommend adding fresh chilis if you intend to store it as they can spoil faster than the rest of the sauce.
- Freezer: This sauce is very freezing friendly and will last well in the freezer. I recommend pouring it into an ice cube tray before popping the cubes into a freezer bag, then labeling it with the contents.
What to Serve with Sweet Chili Sauce
FAQ
No, due to the inclusion of soy sauce, this sweet chili sauce has a trace amount of wheat gluten. However, you can use tamari or coconut aminos to avoid this! If you're using bottled sweet chili sauce, make sure to double check the ingredients as flour is a common thickener.
This is not a very spicy sauce! Sweet chili sauce tends to be quite mild with more emphasis on the sweet and savory flavors. However, if you add thai chiles or use chili paste, this sauce can get spicy fast. Always taste test and adjust as you like.
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