Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (2024)

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May 18, 2018 Last Modified: December 23, 2023 by Regina | Leelalicious 18 Comments

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This homemade Thai sweet chili sauce recipe is naturally sweetened and so much better than anything from a bottle. It is gluten free, paleo, clean eating and can be made vegan. A delicious condiment and dipping sauce.

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Thai cuisine is loved and cherished almost all over the world. It is known for its complex flavors and textures. Every meal will play on at least 3 taste senses of spicy, sweet, bitter, sour and salty.

It is no wonder then, that Thai sweet chili sauce has gained such popularity even in Western cuisine. It is sweet, mildly spicy with a touch of sour (from the vinegar).

It also has a wonderful touch of garlic and is super easy to make at home.I am using actual medium-mild red chili peppers (as opposed to just dried chili flakes) for a much richer flavor and deeper red coloured sweet chili sauce.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (2)

We all know the bottled version of this stuff - it tastes great and made us fall in love with Thai sweet chili sauce in the first place. But once you try homemade sweet chili sauce the former just fades in comparison.

The sauce from a bottle is for the most part just thickened sugar water with just a little bit of chili spice and garlic flavour. And like most store-bought condiments it's not exactly clean eating or paleo friendly.

For my homemade sweet Thai chili sauce I chose honey as sweetener (maple syrup can be substituted to make vegan sweet chili sauce). And instead of thickening the sauce with cornstarch, tapioca or arrowroot, I let it simmer until it had reduced down to the desired thickness.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (3)

Tips for how to make Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

You can play with the spice level of the sauce by adjusting the amount of seeds you leave in the chili peppers. I like to make it fairly mild so my whole family can enjoy the best sweet chili sauce - so I leave the seeds of only half a chili pepper.
If you are afraid of chili burns, hold the chilis with a kitchen glove, towel, or plastic baggie while cutting and removing seeds.
Process the chili sauce ingredients to a coarse texture. You still want some flecks of chili and seeds.
In addition to the yummy garlic, I also like to add a little grated ginger. It makes for a great complex flavour but is optional
White wine vinegar is milder than the traditional white vinegar and isn't made from grains (although distillation technically makes white vinegar gluten free). Another milder gluten free option is rice vinegar
When reducing the sauce to thicken it, keep in mind that it will thicken even more as it cools
If you don't want to wait the 20 or so minutes it takes to reduce and thicken the sauce through simmering, feel free to add a starch slurry (1 tablespoon starch dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water)

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (4)

Kitchen Items I Used to Make this Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

I used a food chopper to combine the sauce ingredients. A food processor or even an immersion blender will work too - just be sure to pulse only until still coarse in texture
White wine vinegar is my preferred vinegar to give this Asian sweet chili sauce a touch of sour flavor.
I store the finished sauce in a mason jar in the fridge.

Uses for Thai Style Sweet Chili Sauce

Baked sweet chili chicken or salmon
Meatball or wing sauce
Dip for anything from bacon wrapped hot dogs or chicken bites, to spring rolls and even pizza

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (5)

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (6)

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VIDEO: How to Make Sweet Chili Sauce

Thai Sweet Chili

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Thai

Servings 1 cup sauce (approx)

Ingredients

2 fresh long red chilli peppers like red jalapeño (in Thailand I used spur chilies)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional)
½ cup water
½ cup white wine vinegar
½ cup mildhoney or replace with maple syrup to make vegan
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Cut the chilli peppers in half and deseed them, except for ½ pepper. Chop coarsely and place in a food processor or chopper.
Add minced garlic and grated ginger together with water and pulse a few times.
Add mixture into a small saucepan and add vinegar, honey and water. Stir and bring to a boil on high heat.
Then lower to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens. This takes about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Fill finished sauce into a covered container to store in the fridge.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below! Share a picture on social media with tag #leelalicious !

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Random Questions

What is sweet chili sauce made of?

Sweet chili sauce typically includes ingredients like chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and a sweetener such as honey or maple syrup. It may also contain other flavorings like ginger or spices for added complexity.

What can I use if I don't have sweet chili sauce?

If you don't have sweet chili sauce, you can consider using a combination of chili flakes, vinegar, and a sweetener like sugar or honey to mimic the flavors. Adjust the ratios to achieve the desired balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy.

Is sweet chili sauce full of sugar?

Sweet chili sauce often contains a significant amount of sweetener, typically in the form of sugar or honey. While homemade versions allow for control over the amount of sweetener, commercially available ones may contain higher sugar content.

Does sweet chili sauce contain vinegar?

Yes, sweet chili sauce generally contains vinegar, which contributes to its characteristic tangy flavor. Various types of vinegar can be used, such as white wine vinegar or rice vinegar, to achieve the desired balance of acidity in the sauce.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

LoriAnn
September 02, 2023 at 12:53 pm

Hi! Trying this right now! I didn't have any long, red chilies, so I used 4 small red jalapenos. And rice vinegar. Sound ok?
Reply
- Jennifer @ Leelalicious
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  September 08, 2023 at 7:03 am
  
  That sounds delicious! Let us know how it goes. 🙂
  Reply
Happy Cook
July 08, 2021 at 6:56 am

Looks like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing. How long does it keep in the fridge?
Reply
- Regina | Leelalicious
  July 12, 2021 at 10:08 am
  
  I think we have always finished it all within two weeks, but I think with the vinegar and honey will act as natural preservatives. So I think as long as your container is really clean, it will last at least 1 month in the fridge.
  Reply
Faizah Noor
March 13, 2020 at 7:59 am

Hi, what can I use instead of white wine vinegar?
Reply
- Regina | Leelalicious
  March 16, 2020 at 9:57 pm
  
  Regular white vinegar or rice vinegar are nice too
  Reply
Patti N.
August 19, 2019 at 10:36 am

Could you make large batch and can it.
Reply
- Regina
  August 19, 2019 at 1:18 pm
  
  Hey Patti, I think that should work just fine
  Reply
Ian Bowco*ck
July 26, 2019 at 1:18 am

Has anyone tried freezing this. We’re thinking of making a large batch as we have a great chilli crop this year
Reply
- Regina
  July 30, 2019 at 7:43 pm
  
  Sorry Ian, I have never tried freezing this chili sauce. But I don't see why it shouldn't work. There are no thickeners in this recipe that my lose its potency in the freezer. And yay! How awesome you can use homegrown chilies for this recipe
  Reply
Michel Hébert
February 22, 2019 at 10:58 am

Hi, great recipe, I've substituted the peppers with south korean dried red chilies, two tablespoons and it is grand.
Reply
- Regina
  February 23, 2019 at 8:43 pm
  
  That sounds delicious
  Reply
John
February 03, 2019 at 6:37 am

Delicious. I substituted 1 tsp of Thai red pepper paste for the paper, ginger and garlic. Turned out well!
Reply
- Regina
  February 05, 2019 at 8:26 pm
  
  Yum! That sounds delicious
  Reply
Diego Lopes
June 01, 2018 at 1:34 pm

The sweet part got me curious to prepare this. It really seems delicious!
Reply
Catherine Bruce
May 24, 2018 at 6:51 am

YUM! It's delish!!
Reply
Lyndsey R.
May 22, 2018 at 2:18 pm

Yummy! I love Thai chili sauce!
Reply
Deborah W.
May 21, 2018 at 7:10 pm

Love this sauce and this recipe is the greatest! thanks!
Reply

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe » LeelaLicious (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Thai chili sauce and sweet Thai chili sauce? ›

Thai Chili Sauce vs. Sweet Chili Sauce. Not to be confused with sweet chili sauce, traditional Thai chili sauce is made with fresh chilies, garlic, and fish sauce instead of just red peppers and sugar. It's bolder and more savory in flavor (although the sweet, spicy kick and sticky consistency are the same).

Discover More Details ›

How long does homemade Thai sweet chili sauce last? ›

Making your own sweet chilli sauce means you can tailor the heat to your own preferences. Use more or less hot birdseye chillies and remove the seeds or leave them in if you like it hot. Keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to three weeks.

Tell Me More ›

What is a substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce? ›

A good substitute for ½ cup of sweet chili sauce can be made by combining ¼ cup hot sauce with ¼ cup honey. This mixture provides the desired balance of spiciness and sweetness, closely mimicking the flavor profile of sweet chili sauce. Adjust proportions according to taste preferences.

Learn More ›

What is good about sweet chilli sauce? ›

Sweet chili sauce can be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or fried appetizers, adding a tangy and mildly spicy element to each bite. It is also a delicious accompaniment to grilled meats, seafood, or roasted vegetables, providing a sweet and zesty glaze.

Keep Reading ›

Is sweet Thai chili sauce the same as sweet chili sauce? ›

Sweet chili sauce, also known as Thai chili sauce, is made using dried chili flakes and is primarily a sweet condiment that also has sour and spicy notes.

Is Thai sweet chili sauce the same as Sriracha? ›

Compared to sriracha, Sweet Chili Sauce tends to be sweeter than it is spicy. While it does have many similar ingredients to sriracha—like chili, garlic, salt, and vinegar—the proportions are different. Sweet Chili Sauce pairs well with Asian foods. But its sweetness makes it a bit less versatile than sriracha.

Find Out More ›

Can you use expired sweet chili sauce? ›

It often contains lots of sugar, salt and vinegar which will help preserve it. I always go by 'if it looks, smells and tastes OK, then it is OK'. Note that a 'best before' date is only a guide to when the product will still be at its best. It is still safe to eat after that.

Discover More Details ›

Do you refrigerate Thai sweet chili sauce? ›

Our easy to use, mess-free flip top allows you to add a dash or a few splashes to your favorite recipes. To maintain the freshest quality possible, refrigerate any unused portion of Thai Kitchen® Sweet Red Chili Sauce.

What is another name for Thai chili? ›

Types of Thai Peppers

Others are called prik yuak (milder, sweet), prik chee fah (milder, green and red varieties), prik leuang (with milder heat, great for pickling), prik jinda (hot peppers), and prik kee noo (very hot, similar to bird's eye chilies).

Discover More ›

Is Thai chili sauce the same as Thai chili paste? ›

Paste is more dense in texture with a greater, more intense flavor profile, usually used to add flavor to an already prepared product. Sauce is usually a finished product having a modified flavor profile and has a much looser consistency. Chilli paste is home made.