Description
This homemade Sweet Chili Sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and ideal as a dipping sauce, glaze, or marinade for a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (chili paste)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine rice vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar, sambal oelek, garlic, ginger, ketchup, and soy sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry.
- Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring continuously.
- Cook for 1–2 minutes until the Sweet Chili Sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely.
- Transfer to a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate before use.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing chili paste.
- If the sauce thickens too much after cooling, add a little water and reheat gently.
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Always stir before use as natural separation may occur.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg