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Easy Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

Easy Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce
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This Easy Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce is a vibrant, perfectly balanced condiment combining sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Made with simple pantry staples, it comes together quickly in under 15 minutes and adds a fresh, natural zing to a variety of dishes such as spring rolls, grilled chicken, tofu, and roasted vegetables. Customizable in heat and adaptable for vegan and gluten-free diets, it is a versatile sauce ideal for dipping, drizzling, glazing, or marinating.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar or honey (or maple syrup/agave for vegan option)
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar (or rice vinegar/apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced

Thickening Agent

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
  • 1 tablespoon cold water (for making slurry)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely mince the garlic cloves and measure out the red chili flakes to have everything ready before cooking for a smooth and quick process.
  2. Combine the Base Ingredients: In a small saucepan, add water, sugar (or chosen sweetener), white vinegar, salt, red chili flakes, and minced garlic. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
  3. Simmer to Infuse Flavors: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow the flavors to meld for about 3–5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
  4. Thicken the Sauce: Mix cornstarch or tapioca starch with cold water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. The sauce will thicken quickly; once it reaches the desired consistency, remove from heat.
  5. Cool and Store: Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature to further develop flavors. Transfer to a clean jar or container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

  • Freshness matters: Use fresh garlic and good-quality vinegar for best flavor.
  • Adjust sweetness gradually: Start with less sugar and add more if needed to avoid over-sweetening.
  • Consistency control: Add starch slurry slowly; you can always thicken more but not thin it down easily.
  • Use a non-stick pan: Prevents burning the sugars, which can cause bitterness.
  • Cool completely before refrigerating: Keeps the sauce fresh and prevents condensation inside the jar.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet chili sauce, homemade chili sauce, easy sweet chili, dipping sauce, gluten free sauce, vegan chili sauce, sweet and spicy sauce

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/easy-homemade-sweet-chili-sauce/