Thai Chili Sauce

You want to liven up your meal on a hectic weekday with something quick, easy, and delectable. After a long day, you may desire a quick, homemade lunch. This sweet chili sauce transforms everything in the kitchen, especially when you desire sweetness and fire. You can easily produce the sauce and use it on various items to enhance their restaurant-quality flavor. I guarantee you’ll always have this in your kitchen after trying it.

What is Sweet Chili Sauce?

Sweet Chili Sauce is a tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet condiment with roots in Thai cuisine. Often used as a dip or glaze, this sauce strikes a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, making it ideal for everything from appetizers to main courses. You might recognize it as the essential sidekick for spring rolls, but its uses go far beyond – from marinating chicken to glazing vegetables and drizzling over rice. This Thai sweet chili sauce is really great.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why this sweet chili sauce recipe is bound to become your favorite:

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes, with simple ingredients you likely already have.
• Budget-Friendly: Save money by making this sauce at home rather than buying store-bought versions.
• Versatile: Perfect for dipping, drizzling, marinating, and more.
• No Preservatives: This homemade version is fresh, free of additives, and made with whole ingredients.
• Customizable Heat: Adjust the spice level to suit your personal taste!

How to Use Sweet Chili Sauce

This sauce is endlessly versatile! Here are some creative ways to enjoy it:

• Sweet Chili Chicken: Use it as a marinade for chicken wings or breasts before baking or grilling.
• Thai-Inspired Stir-Fries: Add a spoonful to stir-fried vegetables and noodles for extra flavor.
• Dipping Sauce for Appetizers: Serve with spring rolls, dumplings, or chicken tenders.
• Glaze for Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted veggies like carrots and bell peppers.
• Topping for Rice Bowls: Add a sweet-spicy kick to rice bowls with chicken, tofu, or shrimp.

All You Need to Start Making Sweet Chili Sauce

Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to make this delightful sauce.

Equipment and Tools:

• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight jar or container for storage

Key Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds depth. You can substitute with garlic powder if needed.
• Red Chili Flakes: For heat; adjust to taste. Substitute with Sriracha for a smoother texture.
• Honey or Sugar: Adds sweetness. Honey is a natural sweetener, while sugar gives a classic taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick. Substitute with white vinegar if unavailable.
• Water and Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce without overpowering flavors.

How to Make Sweet Chili Sauce (Step-by-Step)

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine garlic, red chili flakes, honey (or sugar), and rice vinegar with water. Whisk well to mix.
2. Simmer: Set the pot on medium heat and slowly pour the mixture into it. Stir nonstop for two to three minutes till the sugar melts.
3. Thicken with Cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Pour this mixture into the saucepan and stir until the sauce thickens.
4. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning or heat level as desired.
5. Cool and Store: Allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight jar or container. It can be kept in the fridge for two weeks.

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: ~50
Carbs: 10g
Protein: 0.5g
Fat: 0g

Sweet chili sauce is not just tasty; it’s also packed with nutrients. It has sugar or honey, but it’s low in calories and fat. The real benefit comes from the chili peppers, which are full of vitamins and antioxidants.

Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Variations

Here’s how to make this recipe work for different tastes and dietary needs:

• Lower Sugar Version: Reduce honey or sugar by half or substitute with a natural sweetener like Stevia.
• Extra Garlic: For garlic lovers, double the amount for a more intense flavor.
• Tropical Twist: Add a splash of pineapple juice for a hint of tropical sweetness.
• Less Spicy: For milder heat, reduce red chili flakes or add a splash of water to dilute.

Sweet Chili Sauce Tips and Tricks for Success

Insider Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adjust Spice Level Gradually: Start with a smaller amount of chili flakes, tasting as you go.
• Consistent Stirring: Keep stirring the sauce while it simmers to prevent clumping.
• Avoid High Heat: Cook over medium heat to keep the sauce from burning or becoming too thick.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Storage: Store your sweet chili sauce in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
• Reheating: If needed, warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen if it thickened in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with spring rolls for a delightful appetizer.
• Serve alongside fried rice or noodle dishes to add a sweet-spicy kick.
• Use it as a dipping sauce for shrimp skewers or as a drizzle for salmon.

In summary

This Sweet Chili Sauce recipe is a versatile, flavorful addition that takes only 5 minutes to make. Whether you’re using it as a marinade, dipping sauce, or glaze, it adds a perfect balance of sweetness and spice to any dish. Plus, you get all the goodness of homemade with no preservatives. Try it out in one of your favorite recipes, and see just how much it enhances the flavors.

FAQs for Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

1. What does sweet chili sauce contain?
Sweet chili sauce typically contains garlic, red chili flakes, sugar or honey, rice vinegar, and water. Some recipes include cornstarch for thickening.

2. With what instead of sweet chili sauce?
If you’re out of sweet chili sauce, a quick substitute can be a mix of Sriracha with honey or sugar, or you can use hoisin sauce with added chili flakes.

3. What can I use sweet chili sauce for?
Sweet chili sauce is perfect as a dipping sauce, marinade, or glaze. It pairs well with chicken, shrimp, and even roasted vegetables.

4. How do you use Frank’s Sweet Chili Sauce?
Frank’s Sweet Chili Sauce can be used similarly to homemade versions – as a dipping sauce, a glaze for chicken, or a stir-fry addition.

Enjoy your homemade sweet chili sauce, and don’t forget to experiment with new flavors and combinations to make it your own!

Print Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

Max

This Sweet Chili Sauce recipe is a versatile, flavorful addition that takes only 5 minutes to make. Whether you’re using it as a marinade, dipping sauce, or glaze, it adds a perfect balance of sweetness and spice to any dish. Plus, you get all the goodness of homemade with no preservatives.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine asian, Chinese, Thai

Servings 7

Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight jar or container for storage

Ingredients

  

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds depth. You can substitute with garlic powder if needed.
• Red Chili Flakes: For heat; adjust to taste. Substitute with Sriracha for a smoother texture.
• Honey or Sugar: Adds sweetness. Honey is a natural sweetener while sugar gives a classic taste.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick. Substitute with white vinegar if unavailable.
• Water and Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce without overpowering flavors.

Instructions

 

• Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine garlic, red chili flakes, honey (or sugar), and rice vinegar with water. Whisk well to mix.
• Simmer: Set the pot on medium heat and slowly pour the mixture into it. Stir nonstop for two to three minutes till the sugar melts.
• Thicken with Cornstarch: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Pour this mixture into the saucepan and stir until the sauce thickens.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning or heat level as desired.
• Cool and Store: Allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to an airtight jar or container. It can be kept in the fridge for two weeks.

Notes

Insider Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adjust Spice Level Gradually: Start with a smaller amount of chili flakes, tasting as you go.
• Consistent Stirring: Keep stirring the sauce while it simmers to prevent clumping.
• Avoid High Heat: Cook over medium heat to keep the sauce from burning or becoming too thick.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Storage: Store your sweet chili sauce in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
• Reheating: If needed, warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen if it thickened in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with spring rolls for a delightful appetizer.
• Serve alongside fried rice or noodle dishes to add a sweet-spicy kick.
• Use it as a dipping sauce for shrimp skewers or as a drizzle for salmon.

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