Sweet Chili Sauce
In short: A glossy, sweet and mildly hot chili sauce of fresh red chilies, garlic, vinegar and sugar, simmered in 15 minutes for dipping and glazing. It takes about 22 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 22 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 65 kcal
Sweet chili sauce is the clear, orange-red dipping sauce that goes with spring rolls, fried chicken, fish cakes and fritters. Making it takes one small pan and ingredients you probably have: chilies, garlic, vinegar and sugar, thickened lightly with cornstarch. The homemade version has flecks of real chili, a sharper flavor and no artificial color. Use it as a dip, a glaze for baked chicken or salmon, or a sauce for rice bowls.
Instructions
- Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small cup until smooth.
- Put the water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilies, ginger and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, until the liquid reduces slightly and the chilies look softened.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture and pour it into the pan, whisking. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce turns glossy and slightly thick.
- Stir in the lime juice and taste. Add a pinch of salt for depth or more chili for heat.
- Let the sauce cool completely, since it thickens further as it cools. Pour into a clean jar and refrigerate.
Tips
- For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and white ribs from the chilies. For a hotter sauce, add a few small hot chilies or a pinch of chili flakes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped red bell pepper for color, or replace some of the water with pineapple juice for a fruitier flavor.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade sweet chili sauce keep?
In a sealed jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 3 weeks, thanks to the sugar and vinegar. Stir it before serving.
How do I make sweet chili sauce thicker?
Simmer it a little longer or add a bit more cornstarch mixture. It thickens a lot as it cools, so judge it on the back of a spoon rather than in the pan.
What can I serve sweet chili sauce with?
Serve it with spring rolls, fritters, fried or baked chicken, fish cakes, tofu and dumplings, or use it to glaze salmon and chicken.
How long does it take to make Sweet Chili Sauce?
About 22 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sweet Chili Sauce?
About 65 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 65 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
