Description
Sweet homemade chili sauce delivers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that elevates any dish. Crafted with simple ingredients and minimal effort, this sauce brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 teaspoons red chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Liquid Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Thickening Agent:
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Pour vinegar, water, sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, and chili flakes into a medium saucepan, creating a vibrant, aromatic base for the sweet chili sauce.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring occasionally until it reaches a rolling boil, ensuring all sugar crystals completely dissolve.
- Reduce heat to low, allowing the sauce to gently simmer and develop a rich, complex flavor profile while gradually thickening.
- Whisk cornstarch with cold water in a separate small bowl, creating a smooth, lump-free slurry that will help bind and thicken the sauce.
- Gradually pour the cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce, continuously stirring to prevent clumping and promote even distribution.
- Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce reaches a glossy, slightly viscous consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the sweet chili sauce cool completely at room temperature.
- Transfer the cooled sauce to a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, ready to enhance various dishes with its sweet and spicy character.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili flakes to suit personal heat tolerance.
- Experiment with different vinegars like rice or apple cider for unique flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Store sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg