Description
This easy sweet chili sauce recipe creates the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in just 15 minutes. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this homemade sauce is perfect for dipping spring rolls, glazing meats, or adding flavor to stir-fries. Much better than store-bought versions!
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1–2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Mince garlic, grate ginger, dice bell pepper if using. Mix cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry.
- Make the base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, rice vinegar, ¼ cup water, and fish sauce. Stir until sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add aromatics: Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add vegetables: If using bell pepper, add now and cook 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Thicken sauce: Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in cornstarch slurry, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats a spoon.
- Final seasoning: Taste and adjust – add more red pepper flakes for heat, sugar for sweetness, or vinegar for tang.
- Cool and store: Remove from heat and let cool. Strain for smooth texture if desired. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
Storage: Keeps fresh in refrigerator for 3 months in airtight container.
Consistency tips: If too thick, thin with warm water. If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
Heat level: Start with less red pepper flakes – you can always add more!
Substitutions: Use soy sauce instead of fish sauce for vegetarian version. Coconut sugar works instead of granulated sugar.
Serving suggestions: Perfect for spring rolls, dumplings, grilled chicken, or as a stir-fry sauce.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sweet chili sauce recipe, homemade sweet chili sauce, easy sweet chili sauce, Asian condiment, dipping sauce, spring roll sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce