Description
Homemade sweet chili sauce elevates any dish with its perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Zesty Thai-inspired flavors dance across your palate, promising a delightful culinary adventure that will make you crave more.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cups (120 ml) water
- ½ cups (120 ml) rice vinegar
- ⅓ cups (80 ml) granulated sugar
- 12 tsps red pepper flakes (adjust for heat level)
- 2 tbsps honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 2 tbsps fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegan option)
- 2 tbsps ketchup (for color and depth)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsps cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Merge water, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, fish sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring thoroughly to initiate the flavor melding process.
- Simmer and Dissolve: Allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer, ensuring all sugar crystals completely dissolve while maintaining a consistent, even temperature.
- Create Cornstarch Liaison: Whisk cornstarch with water in a separate vessel until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency that will act as a thickening agent.
- Thicken and Develop: Gradually incorporate the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce, continuously stirring to prevent clumping and promote even texture development. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches a glossy, clingy consistency.
- Cool and Preserve: Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool naturally, recognizing that it will continue to thicken as temperature drops. Transfer to a sterile glass container and refrigerate, maintaining quality for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to match your heat tolerance, ranging from mild to extra hot. More flakes create a spicier sauce, while fewer deliver a gentler kick.
- Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth, silky sauce texture. Continuous stirring while adding cornstarch prevents clumping and guarantees even thickening.
- Cool sauce completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor profile. Glass containers work best for preserving freshness and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
- Swap honey with agave nectar for vegan version, or use low-sugar alternatives like stevia for diabetic-friendly adaptation. Gluten-free cornstarch ensures recipe remains accessible for various dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg