Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe: Sweet, Spicy, and So Simple
If you love the balance of sweet and spicy flavors, this Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is a must-have in your kitchen. Popular in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking, this sauce is perfect for dipping, drizzling, or cooking. Made from simple pantry ingredients, it’s quick, flavorful, and way better than store-bought versions. Whether you’re serving egg rolls, spring rolls, grilled chicken, or crispy tofu, this sauce delivers a tangy-sweet punch with just the right amount of heat. It’s also customizable—make it as mild or as spicy as you like!
Ingredients Of Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
Why You Will Love This Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
You’ll love how fast and easy it is to make this homemade sweet chili sauce. It uses common ingredients, requires no special equipment, and can be made in under 10 minutes. Plus, you control the sweetness and spice level! It’s naturally gluten-free (use GF soy sauce), preservative-free, and stays fresh in the fridge for weeks. Use it as a dip, glaze, or stir-fry sauce—it’s incredibly versatile.
Preparation Process Of Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
This recipe is a simple boil-and-thicken method. You’ll combine the main ingredients in a saucepan, bring them to a boil, then add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the mixture. Once cooled, it becomes a glossy, thick sauce ready to dip or drizzle.
Step By Step Instructions
Combine base ingredients
In a small saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, red chili flakes, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt. Stir well.
Bring to a boil
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
Add cornstarch slurry
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring.
Thicken the sauce
Continue to simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir constantly to prevent lumps.
Cool and store
Remove from heat. Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
How to Serve?
- As a dip for spring rolls, egg rolls, or fried shrimp
- Drizzled over grilled chicken or tofu
- Stirred into noodles or fried rice
- Used as a glaze for baked or grilled salmon
- As a salad dressing with an Asian twist
Tips & Variations
Add more chili flakes for extra heat.
Use honey instead of sugar for a natural sweetener.
Add a touch of ginger for added warmth.
Make it thicker by increasing the cornstarch.
Use sambal oelek for a richer chili flavor
Nutrition
- Calories: 35
- Carbs: 9g
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Sodium: 160mg
Recipe Card
Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe: Sweet, Spicy, and So Simple
Course: Chili RecipeAbout 1 cup
servings5
minutes5
minutes35
kcalThis Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is a perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy flavors. It’s quick to make with pantry staples and is the ideal dipping sauce or glaze for all your favorite Asian-inspired dishes. Whether paired with crispy appetizers, stir-fries, or grilled meats, this homemade version is fresher and more flavorful than anything you’ll find in a bottle. You can customize the heat level to your liking and even add extra garlic or ginger for a flavor boost. Best of all, it takes just 10 minutes to make and keeps well in the fridge!
Ingredients
Water – 1/2 cup
Rice vinegar (or white vinegar) – 1/2 cup
Granulated sugar – 1/2 cup
Garlic, minced – 3 cloves
Red chili flakes – 1 to 2 teaspoons
Ketchup – 2 tablespoons
Soy sauce – 1 tablespoon
Cornstarch – 1 tablespoon
Water (for slurry) – 2 tablespoons
Salt – 1/4 teaspoon
Directions
- Combine base ingredients
- In a small saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, red chili flakes, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
- Add cornstarch slurry
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring.
- Thicken the sauce
- Continue to simmer the sauce for 2–3 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir constantly to prevent lumps.
- Cool and store
- Remove from heat. Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to a clean jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Use white vinegar if rice vinegar isn’t available.
- Let the sauce cool fully before storing to prevent condensation.
- Shake or stir before using after refrigeration.
- For a smoother sauce, strain out garlic and chili flakes.
- Perfect for gifting in small jars!
FAQs
Conclusion
This easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is a game-changer for adding bold, balanced flavor to your meals. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes on the stove, you get a delicious, glossy sauce that’s perfect for dipping, glazing, or stirring into your favorite dishes. Make it mild or spicy, thick or pourable—it’s totally customizable. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought. Keep it in your fridge and add a sweet-heat kick to any meal!
