The Best Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe! Easy to make, easy to adapt, and most importantly, absolutely delicious! Learn how to make this versatile, authentic Asian sweet chili sauce with step by step instructions. Great for canning too. EASY - Great recipe for beginners. Simple and quick recipe. Makes about 1 ½ cups.US based cup, teaspoon, tablespoon measurements. Common Measurement Conversions
1tbspsoy saucegluten free soy sauce or salt if you'd like to keep the recipe gluten free or soy free, OR 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
1/2tspcayenne pepperoptional - halve it or leave it out if you like it less spicy
2.8ozsambal oeleka generous 2 1/2 tbsp (please see recipe notes)
4tspcornflour / cornstarch(see recipe notes)
2tbspwater
Instructions
Add the vinegar, water, sugar, garlic cloves, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper (if using) in to a non-stick pan. If you're using dried chili flakes (red pepper flakes) instead of sambal oelek, add it to the pan at the same time.
½ cup rice vinegar, 3/4 cup water, 4 oz white sugar, 5 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Heat over medium heat while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
Add the sambal oelek and mix through. Let it cook for a few minutes until it's slightly thickened (2- 5 minutes).
2.8 oz sambal oelek
Mix the cornstarch and water into a smooth slurry and add this to the sauce as well.
4 tsp cornflour / cornstarch, 2 tbsp water
While stirring frequently (to prevent the sauce from burning at the bottom), simmer the sauce for a further 2 - 5 minutes or until it reaches the desired thickness. Remember, the sauce thickens as it cools as well. If it thickens too much, add a little extra water to thin it out. If you're using Clear Jel (for canning purposes), the sauce will mostly thicken only as it cools down.
Pour into glass jars with air-tight lids (OR heated and sterilized jars to store for longer).
Cool to room temperature and store in the fridge.
Video
Notes
Sambal oelek substitutions
2 tbsp dried chili flakes + 1 tbsp extra rice wine vinegar (reduce the amount of chili flakes if the chili flakes you use are spicy (they'll be spicier than sambal oelek).
Finely chopped red chili (red jalapeno or Thai red chili - please read the blog post for details).
Cornstarch substitution (for canning)
Use 5 ½ tsp of Clear Jel, dissolved in 3 tbsp water.
Please read the blog post for more ideas on substitutions for other ingredients, and for more cooking tips.