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    Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Made From Scratch In 10 Minutes

    by Brendan Cunningham 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This sweet chili sauce is sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. It's so quick and easy and is truly one of the most versatile sauces you can make!

    Sweet chili sauce in a small white cup and a medium white cup on a white counter.

    THE BEST SWEET CHILI SAUCE 

    Sweet chili sauce elevates the flavor of so many things, from meat and veggies to egg rolls and rice. And although you can buy sweet chili sauce from the store, nothing beats the flavor of this homemade sweet chili sauce recipe.

    Table of Contents
    • THE BEST SWEET CHILI SAUCE 
      • INGREDIENTS
      • HOW TO MAKE SWEET CHILI SAUCE
        • STEP 1: ADDING THE INGREDIENTS
        • STEP 2: COOKING THE SAUCE
      • WHAT IS SWEET CHILI SAUCE USED FOR?
        • HOW TO STORE SWEET CHILI SAUCE
      • WRAPPING IT ALL UP 

     

    This Thai sweet chili sauce is simultaneously sweet, spicy, savory, and tangy to create a flavor you just can't get in any other dipping sauce.

    Plus, it is made with wholesome ingredients and is free of additives and other junk that the store-bought kind has. 

    And this sweet chili sauce recipe is as easy as it gets to make. All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a saucepan, and the entire thing takes under 10 minutes to make!

    A small white cup filled with sweet chili sauce. Part of a medium white cup with sweet chili sauce is behind it.

    INGREDIENTS

    So, you'll need just a couple of ingredients to make this sweet Thai chili sauce. 

    And I definitely recommend picking up anything you don't have from the store. Every ingredient is essential to achieve a complete flavor profile. 

    Here's what you need for this signature dipping sauce:

    • 1 cup sugar
    • ¾ cup white vinegar
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons chili paste (I used Sambal Oelek)
    • 3 cloves garlic crushed and left whole
    • 1 carrot very finely grated (I used a Microplane grater for this)
    • Pinch of salt
    • 1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch

    This sauce really enhances the flavors of a variety of different foods. And I'll go over all of my favorite recipes that you can pair with it later on!

    A hand holding a spoon with chili sauce on it over a small white cup filled with sweet chili sauce. Behind the small white cup is a medium sized white cup of chili sauce.

    HOW TO MAKE SWEET CHILI SAUCE

    As I mentioned earlier, the process of making this sweet chili sauce is incredibly quick and easy.

    Even if you've never made a dipping sauce from scratch before, you'll find this to be simple, and it'll turn out perfect every single time.

    So get out your ingredients, and let's get to it!

    STEP 1: ADDING THE INGREDIENTS

    First, take out a medium-sized saucepan and put it over high heat on the stovetop.

    Then add the water, vinegar, sugar, chili paste, crushed garlic, carrot, and salt - everything except the arrowroot or cornstarch.

    Now allow these ingredients to boil in the saucepan, stirring them occasionally. It'll take about 3 minutes for everything to boil.

    While that is boiling, whisk or stir together the cornstarch (or arrowroot) and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl.

    A pot filled with sweet chili sauce. Smoke is coming from it.

    STEP 2: COOKING THE SAUCE

    Once 3 minutes is up, or the mixture is boiling, add the cornstarch to the saucepan and stir to combine it with everything. Then reduce the heat to a low boil.

    Allow the mixture to boil for 2 more minutes and give a stir frequently. 

    Next, give the sauce a taste and add more chili paste if you want to kick up the flavor. Then pick out the garlic with tongs and discard it.

    Finally, either serve the sweet Thai chili sauce warm or allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the fridge.

    WHAT IS SWEET CHILI SAUCE USED FOR?

    So, this sauce is incredibly versatile and goes with practically everything - and I mean everything!

    Here are my favorite things to pair with this homemade sweet chili sauce:

    • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
    • Sushi Rice
    • Chicken Nuggets
    • French Fries
    • Vegetables
    • Chicken Stir Fry
    • Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
    • Instant Pot Chicken Tenders 
    A hand drizzling sweet chili sauce on a piece of chicken breast on a white plate.

    HOW TO STORE SWEET CHILI SAUCE

    My favorite part about making this sweet chili sauce recipe is that you can use it all week long or freeze it to save for down the road.

    After you make the sauce, let it cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to a bottle, jar, or anything that's airtight. Then you can store the sauce at room temperature for a few days and in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    And if you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. If you freeze it, you'll want to thaw the sauce and then gently heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, frequently stirring until its texture is restored.

    Sweet chili sauce in a small white cup and a medium white cup on a white counter.

    WRAPPING IT ALL UP 

    That is how to make sweet chili sauce from scratch in under 10 minutes!

    It doesn't get better than this when it comes to a dipping sauce with a ton of flavor that goes with practically everything. 

    So I hope you find this sweet chili sauce recipe as delicious and as useful as I have! If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

    Print

    Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Made From Scratch In 10 Minutes

    A hand holding a spoon with chili sauce on it over a small white cup filled with sweet chili sauce. Behind the small white cup is a medium sized white cup of chili sauce.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    This sweet chili sauce is sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. It's so quick and easy and is truly one of the most versatile sauces you can make!

    • Author: Joe Duff
    • Prep Time: 0 minutes
    • Cook Time: 8 minutes
    • Total Time: 8 minutes
    • Yield: 10 servings 1x
    • Category: Sauce
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Thai

    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 cup sugar

    ¾ cup white vinegar

    ½ cup water

    2 tablespoons chili paste (I used Sambal Oelek)

    3 cloves garlic crushed and left whole

    1 carrot very finely grated

    pinch of salt

    1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch

    Instructions

    1. Combine all ingredients, except the cornstarch, in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Allow it to boil on high heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
    2. While this is boiling, whisk or stir together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.
    3. After 3 minutes, slowly pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling mixture on the stove. 
    4. Stir to combine and reduce heat to a low boil. Allow it to boil, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. 
    5. Taste and add more chili paste if desired. Remove and discard the garlic. 
    6. Serve warm or allow to cool and refrigerate until needed. Sauce can be served hot or cold.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 88
    • Fat: 0
    • Carbohydrates: 22
    • Fiber: 0
    • Protein: 0

    Keywords: sweet chili sauce recipe, sweet chili sauce, what is sweet chili sauce used for, best sweet chili sauce, best sweet chili sauce recipe, thai sweet chili sauce, sweet that chili sauce, how to make sweet chili sauce, sweet chili sauce recipe sambal oelek, sweet chili sauce recipe thai, the best sweet chili sauce,

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sabrina Cabanlig

      January 23, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      How long does this last in and out of the refrigerator?

      Reply
      • Brendan Cunningham

        January 24, 2022 at 10:24 pm

        A few days at room temp and a little over a week refrigerated.

        Reply
    2. Jenny

      January 26, 2022 at 7:46 pm

      Very good sauce.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Ed

      January 29, 2022 at 1:16 pm

      Super tasty sauce.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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