Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 7 Comments

RECIPE VIDEO PRINT

4.88 from 8 votes

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This homemade Sweet Chili Sauce has a delicious balance of sweetness and tanginess with a spicy kick - a perfect dip to level up your favorite fried, grilled, and roasted dishes. Why buy one, when you can make it yourself?

Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (1)

Asians dipping sauces come in different varieties and a range of flavors. Sweet, savory, tangy, and some spicy hot! One thing is for sure, a great dip can make a world of difference to any dish. It can transform bland fried meat into an appetizing dish.

One of the most popular Asian dips is Sweet Chili Sauce. This is very simple and easy to prepare, and the ingredients are not hard to find at all! In fact, most of them might already be in your pantry right now. It is the perfect dip for Lumpiang Shanghai, Camaron Rebusado, and Kikiam, among other things!

  • What is Sweet Chili Sauce?
  • Why make it?
  • Ingredients Used
  • How to make Sweet Chili Sauce?
  • Foxy tips for you!
  • Shelf-life and Storage
  • Recipe Video
  • Printable Recipe
  • Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
  • More Sauces and Condiments Recipes

What is Sweet Chili Sauce?

Sweet Chili Sauce is a well-known condiment in South-East Asian Cuisine. It originated from Thailand and is called 'Nam Chim Kai' by the locals. It is simply made of peppers, vinegar, garlic, and sweeteners simmered in water until it turns into a thick sauce. Contrary to what many think, this dipping sauce is not overly spicy. Rather, it is comparable to a sweet and sour sauce but with a mild fieriness that makes it yummier and craveable!

Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2)

Why make it?

We all know that sauces and condiments are readily available at various grocery stores or supermarkets. So why make it from scratch, right? Here are some of the best reasons:

  • It is made of fresh ingredients and is infinitely cheaper compared to buying ready-made brands.
  • Homemade condiments are free from preservatives or additives, making them safer and healthier to consume.
  • Lastly, you can tweak the recipe according to your preferred taste. Do you want lesser sweetness? Use less sugar. Not spicy enough? Drop some chilis for added zing!

Ingredients Used

  • Bird’s Eye Chili - you can use chili flakes or milder chilis if you prefer it less spicy.
  • Red Bell Pepper - make sure to remove the seeds as they might add a bitter taste to the sauce.
  • Onion - is used in this recipe as it gives a mild sweet taste.
  • Garlic - it gives the sauce sharp and savory flavor.
  • Potato Starch or Corn Starch is used to thicken the sauce.
  • Vinegar for a little tanginess and acts also as natural preservative.
  • Sugar for sweetness!
  • Salt
  • Water
Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (3)

How to make Sweet Chili Sauce?

  1. Remove the tops and seeds of bell pepper and chili.
  2. Pulse bell pepper, chili, onion, garlic, and water until finely chopped.
  3. Transfer to a saucepan and add sugar, salt, and vinegar then simmer.
  4. Add the slurry to thicken. Serve or store.
Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (4)

Foxy tips for you!

  • To keep from making the sauce too spicy, slice the chilis open then scrape off the seeds before chopping.
  • Pulse the ingredients in intervals until you have very small pieces that are still somewhat distinguishable. Do not blend them to a paste.
  • No food processor or blender, no problem! You can just chop the ingredients manually with your sharp knife or use a mortar and pestle. Just make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after.
  • You can use any vinegar available, but if you prefer a milder one, you can use cane or rice vinegar to make the sauce tangy without being excessively acidic.
  • Maintain a gentle simmer and continuously stir the mixture as it is cooking to avoid burning the sauce.
Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (5)

Shelf-life and Storage

Once the Sweet Chili Sauce is done, you can transfer it into a lidded jar and store it in the fridge for up to four weeks. The sugar and vinegar content in the sauce helps it last longer, but make sure you are not contaminating it with other food particles or it will lead to spoilage. Make sure to use clean utensils when getting the sauce from the jar. It is also ideal to sterilize the jars by boiling them in water before putting the sauce into the container.

Printable Recipe

Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (6)

Print Review

Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

4.88 from 8 votes

This Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce has a delicious balance of sweetness and tanginess with a spicy kick - a perfect dip to level up your favorite fried, grilled, and roasted dishes. Why buy one, when you can make it yourself?

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Course :Condiment

Servings =24 servings

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 big red bell pepper or any mild/sweet red pepper seeds removed, chopped coarsely
  • 1-2 pc Bird’s eye chili chopped coarsely, or chili flakes
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped coarsely
  • 6 cloves garlic chopped coarsely
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp potato starch/ corn starch
  • 2 Tbsp water

Instructions

  • 1 big red bell pepper or any mild/sweet red pepper, 1-2 pc Bird’s eye chili

    Cut out the top parts of the chilis.

  • 1 big red bell pepper or any mild/sweet red pepper, 1-2 pc Bird’s eye chili, 1 small yellow onion, 6 cloves garlic, 2 cups water

    Put the bell pepper, bird’s eye, onion, garlic, and water in a blender or food processor. Pulse several times to cut the spices in to tiny pieces but do not let it turn into paste.

  • 1 tbsp Salt, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup vinegar

    Transfer content to a pan. Add sugar, salt, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until sugar and salt are dissolved. Turn the heat to low.

  • 2 Tbsp potato starch/ corn starch, 2 Tbsp water

    Dissolve potato starch in water and add this to the pan. Cook while stirring constantly until sauce thicken a bit. Turn heat off, remove from heat and let it cool down. Do not over cook as it will go on to thicken as it cools down.

  • Serve as dip or transfer to a jar and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

Notes

This recipe makes 3 cups or about 48 Tablespoons of Sweet Chili Sauce. Each serving is equivalent to 2 Tablespoons.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TbspCalories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 297mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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More Sauces and Condiments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Elize Pienaar says

    Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (25)
    Excellent job 👏

    Reply

  2. Daphne says

    Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (26)
    This recipe was great!
    I used half the amount of garlic but the balance between the flavors is so nice.

    Reply

  3. Tina says

    Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (27)
    This is a really good recipe! I only made a couple of tweaks for my taste buds.

    Reply

  4. Lynette says

    Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (28)
    Great recipe!
    Thank you this will save money and trips to the store when I run out of sauce for my Tempura Shrimp.

    Reply

  5. Nasima Moosa says

    Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (29)
    Delicious...

    Reply

  6. Joyce says

    Can your sweet chili sauce be water-bath canned . for long term storage

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Hi Joyce, This recipe is actually for home use and I haven't really tried canning it for commercial purposes (or even just to test) but I know that the commercially sold ones are with a preservative called sodium benzoate.

      Reply

Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe - Foxy Folksy (2024)

FAQs

What is sweet chili sauce made of? ›

It is commonly made with red chili peppers (often Fresno chile, Thai or red jalapeños), rice wine vinegar, sometimes garlic, sometimes fish sauce, and a sweetening ingredient such as fruit or a refined sugar or honey.

What is the shelf life of homemade sweet chili sauce? ›

Upon opening, they should be used within 6 months and refrigeration is recommended to maintain optimal quality. Homemade sweet chili sauce, free from additives, tends to have a shorter shelf life. It should be stored in a cool, dark place and can last up to two years when unopened.

What are the ingredients in UFC sweet chili sauce? ›

Ingredients. Water● Sugar● Spices● Modified Starch● Iodized Salt● Garlic● Acidulant● 0.1% Sodium Benzoate as preservative● BHA as antioxidant and Artificial Food Colors w/ Tartrazine.

How do you tone down sweet chili sauce? ›

Whether it's drizzling honey on top of your dish, adding a bit of sugar to the recipe, or squeezing in lemon juice to enhance the flavors; a touch of sweetness can balance out the heat. If you have a BBQ dish or chili, the best way to tone them down is by adding things such as honey or brown sugar.

What is another name for sweet chili sauce? ›

In Thailand, the sauce was commonly called Nam Chim Kai. Nam Chim translates to sauce while Kai refers to chicken in the Thai language. From this translation, we can gather that Thai sweet chili sauce was primarily used for chicken, but it has since been adapted for a variety of applications.

Is sweet and sour sauce the same as sweet chili sauce? ›

Both are incredibly simple to make. The only difference between sweet chilli sauce and sweet and sour sauce is that sweet chilli sauce is sweet, sour, and spicy. So only the spiciness goes missing when using sweet and sour sauce instead of sweet chilli sauce.

What happens if you don t refrigerate sweet chili sauce after opening? ›

Once opened, always refrigerate your sweet chili sauce. Make sure the lid is tightly sealed each time it's stored to prevent bacteria growth. Freezing can slightly alter the flavor and texture of the sauce, but it's still a good option if you're not going to use all of it within its refrigerator shelf life.

Can you eat sweet chili sauce out of date? ›

Note that a 'best before' date is only a guide to when the product will still be at its best. It is still safe to eat after that.

Do you keep sweet chilli sauce in the fridge or cupboard? ›

(Allergens bold/italic) Sugar, water, white vinegar, long red chilli, long green chilli, garlic, cornflour, salt. Store in a cool, dry place. Unopened shelf life 12-month minimum. Once opened, keep refrigerated.

What is the difference between sweet chilli and Thai sweet chilli sauce? ›

Sweet chili sauce, also known as Thai chili sauce, is made using dried chili flakes and is primarily a sweet condiment that also has sour and spicy notes.

Why is sweet chili sauce so good? ›

This sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy and has an exotic flavor using red chillies and garlic. The sauce is incredibly versatile, as it can be used on its own or as an ingredient to add to your cooking.

What is the difference between Thai chili sauce and sweet chili sauce? ›

Thai Chili Sauce vs. Sweet Chili Sauce. Not to be confused with sweet chili sauce, traditional Thai chili sauce is made with fresh chilies, garlic, and fish sauce instead of just red peppers and sugar. It's bolder and more savory in flavor (although the sweet, spicy kick and sticky consistency are the same).

How do you make sweet chili more savory? ›

If you need to balance that sweetness with a little bit of tang, lemon juice's contrasting flavor can do just that, transforming your chili from sweet to spicy and savory.

What if sweet chili sauce is too thick? ›

You can adjust the thickness by adding more slurry if too thin or cooking it down more. If it becomes too thick, stir in a little water.

How to make a sweet sauce more savory? ›

If your food is too sweet...

Add an acid or seasonings such as lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar; chopped fresh herbs, citrus zest, or a dash of cayenne for savory dishes, liqueur or instant espresso for sweet dishes.

Is sweet chili sauce like sriracha? ›

Compared to sriracha, Sweet Chili Sauce tends to be sweeter than it is spicy. While it does have many similar ingredients to sriracha—like chili, garlic, salt, and vinegar—the proportions are different. Sweet Chili Sauce pairs well with Asian foods. But its sweetness makes it a bit less versatile than sriracha.

What does sweet chili taste like? ›

It's sweet and tangy. And it's a little bit spicy—just a touch on the back of your tongue. That said, there aren't many rules when it comes to sweet red chili sauce—it's a mix of chili peppers, vinegar, sugar, and garlic, but that doesn't mean a brand can't put their own stamp on it.

What's the difference between chili sauce and sweet chili sauce? ›

What is the Difference between Sweet Chili Sauce and Chili Sauce? There is a difference between this sauce and chili sauce. Sweet Chili Sauce is made with chili peppers and sugar, which gives it a sweet flavor. Chili sauce, on the other hand, is more tomato-based, almost like ketchup.

Is sweet chili healthy? ›

Each of sweet chilli sauce ingredients offers health benefits with regular consumption. Red chillies are very good for metabolism. Regular consumption in small quantities helps fight pain and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It improves blood circulation, regulates blood pressure and burns calories.

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