Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe • easy recipe! (2024)

My Thai sweet chili sauce recipe has an irresistible combination of sweet and heat for dipping spring rolls, potstickers, chicken, shrimp, & more!

Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe • easy recipe! (1)

Thai sweet chili sauce (nam chim kai)

You have to make this easy Thai sweet chili sauce ~ if only for the spring rolls! It’s so irresistibly delicious and bears no resemblance whatsoever to the gloppy sauce you get with your take-out order. You basically dump everything in a saucepan and boil it down for a few minutes ~ and the results are so worth it. If you love to cook (or eat!) Asian food, you need this sauce in your life. And this sauce isn’t limited to Asian recipes…think chicken tenders, fries, and cheese curds 🙂

is this sweet chili sauce super hot?

No, it’s got a really nice balance of sweet, heat, and tang, with a little umami in the background. For such a simple sauce, it’s got a lot going on!

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ingredients you’ll need for this Thai sweet chili sauce recipe

  • rice wine vinegar
    • this Asian vinegar is super mellow, I love to use it for salad dressings, too.
  • sugar
    • sugar of course gives the sweet in the sweet and spicy flavor profile.
  • chili flakes
  • chili paste
  • fresh garlic
  • fresh ginger
  • soy sauce
  • fish sauce
    • for vegan use a vegan fish sauce.
  • cornstarch
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how to make homemade Thai sweet chili sauce

This process is so easy there’s no reason to ever buy the stuff in the bottle again. And since it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, you can make it while you wait for Doordash delivery. Better yet? Make your own easy Thai food, I’ve got lots of easy recipes to choose from.

step 1. combine ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil

Everything but the cornstarch goes into a pan. Stir to combine and bring it to a boil.

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step 2. cook for about 5-6 minutes

You are reducing the liquid and blooming the flavors.

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step 3. add cornstarch slurry to thicken

Stir cornstarch together with a little water and add to the sauce. Boil for a few minutes longer to thicken. Note that Thai sweet chili sauce is not meant to be super thick. It should be glossy and slightly thickened, but still drip easily off a spoon. The consistency, after chilling, is like maple syrup.

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variations and substitutions

You can use a granulated sugar substitute.

Arrowroot powder can be used instead of cornstarch.

White vinegar or cider vinegar can sub for rice wine vinegar.

You can use honey instead of sugar, but use less: honey is actually sweeter than sugar.

Fresh red peppers can be used in place of the chili flakes…you can use Thai peppers or red jalapeño peppers.

There are vegan fish sauce substitutes if needed.

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how you’ll use your chili sauce

It’s commonly used as a dipping sauce for fried foods such as summer rolls, spring rolls, chicken wings, and shrimp. Here are some other ways that Thai sweet chili sauce can be used:

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  1. As a marinade: Thai sweet chili sauce can be used as a marinade for chicken, pork, beef, or fish. Simply coat the protein with the sauce and let it marinate in the refrigerator for several hours before grilling or baking.
  2. As a glaze: brush Thai sweet chili sauce onto grilled or roasted meats, fish, or vegetables for added flavor and a touch of sweetness. Try it over cream cheese with crackers as an appetizer, or use it to top some gooey baked Brie!
  3. As a dressing: Thai sweet chili sauce can be used in salad dressings ~ how about an easy Thai inspired slaw?
  4. As a dip: dip summer rolls, lettuce wraps, spring rolls, potstickers, chicken tenders, or raw veggies!
  5. As a condiment: use Thai sweet chili sauce as a condiment for burgers, sandwiches, and wraps. It adds a sweet and spicy kick to any dish, even scrambled eggs. Add it to your next cheese platter, too.
  6. As a stir-fry sauce: stir-fry vegetables or protein with Thai sweet chili sauce for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
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more Thai inspired recipes

  • 10 Easy Thai Recipes You Can Make at Home
  • Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
  • Thai Chicken Salad
  • Spicy Thai Spaghetti Salad
  • Thai Coconut Soup (tom kha)
  • Steak Pad Thai Salad
  • Spicy Pad Thai Recipe
  • Thai Beef Salad
  • How to Make Coconut Rice

Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe • easy recipe! (10)

Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Every fridge should have a jar (and a spare) of this sweet/sour/spicy/umami sauce on hand at all times.

Prep Time:5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:10 minutes minutes

Total Time:15 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 servings

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put everything except the cornstarch into a medium saucepan and stir to combine.

  • Bring to a boil and boil for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add 3 tablespoons of water to the cornstarch to make a slurry and stir into the sauce. Continue to boil for a few more minutes to thicken. You're looking for the sauce to lightly coat the back of a spoon. It will thicken further as it chills. Note: sweet chili sauce is not meant to be super thick. When chilled it will have body but still be 'pourable'. Think maple syrup.

  • Transfer the hot liquid to a clean jar and allow to cool. Cap tightly and refrigerate to chill.

  • Sweet chili sauce will keep about 2 weeks, refrigerated.

NEW FEATURE! Click here to add your own private notes.

Course: condiment

Cuisine: Thai

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: Asian, hot peppers, sauce, Thai

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Tbsp · Calories: 55 kcal · Carbohydrates: 14 g · Protein: 0.2 g · Fat: 0.1 g · Saturated Fat: 0.01 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02 g · Sodium: 60 mg · Potassium: 19 mg · Fiber: 0.2 g · Sugar: 13 g · Vitamin A: 150 IU · Vitamin C: 0.4 mg · Calcium: 4 mg · Iron: 0.1 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at @theviewfromgreatisland for a chance to be featured.

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Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe • easy recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is sweet chili sauce made of? ›

It is commonly made with red chili peppers (often Fresno chile, Thai or red jalapeños), rice wine vinegar, sometimes garlic, sometimes fish sauce, and a sweetening ingredient such as fruit or a refined sugar or honey.

What can I use if I don't have 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.

What's the difference between sweet chili sauce and chili sauce? ›

There is a difference between this sauce and chili sauce. Sweet Chili Sauce is made with chili peppers and sugar, which gives it a sweet flavor. Chili sauce, on the other hand, is more tomato-based, almost like ketchup.

What is Mcdonald's sweet chili sauce? ›

Ingredients: Sugars (Sugar, Glucose), Water, Distilled Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Pepper Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Red Peppers, Salt), Modified Corn Starch, Cayenne Peppers, Salt, Spices, Garlic Powder, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

What is the difference between sweet chilli and Thai sweet chilli? ›

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. Sriracha is a spicy, bright red chili sauce made with peppers, vinegar, garlic, and a few other ingredients.

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.

Can you substitute regular chili sauce for sweet chili sauce? ›

You can but you won't get the same result. Sweet chilli sauce is a special blend. It has a completely different taste texture and flavour to regular chilli sauce. You really need to get a bottle of “Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce” so you can compare the difference.

What's the difference between Sriracha and sweet chili sauce? ›

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.

Can I substitute chilli jam for sweet chilli sauce? ›

You could however use the jam as a sweet chilli sauce instead. Unfortunately as chillis and red bell peppers do not contain pectin then you do need to add pectin to the Chilli Jam mixture, otherwise it will not set.

Is sweet chili sauce like duck sauce? ›

Sweet chili sauce is a classic dipping sauce for so many appetizers from potstickers to spring rolls to wontons to chicken fingers and crab rangoons. A great alternative to traditional duck sauce. We love it with rice paper rolls.

Is chili crisp the same as sweet chili sauce? ›

Chili crisp is an infused oil condiment that usually contains crunchy, flavorful bits of peppers, onions or scallions, garlic and other aromatics. “Chili crisp,” “chili oil and “chili sauce” can often be used interchangeably, but generally what differentiates chili crisp is the ratio of crispy bits to oil.

Can I use salsa instead of chili sauce? ›

Except for this difference, the taste betweent the two items is practically identical. In addition, salsa makes a great alternative to chili sauce because it contains a variety of vegetables that have been found to be effective in the treatment and prevention of certain chronic conditions.

What are the ingredients in McDonald's sweet chilli sauce? ›

EITHER: Water, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Modified Maize Starch, Spirit Vinegar, Red Chillies (4%), Salt, Rapeseed Oil, Garlic, Dried Chillies, Dried Red Bell Peppers, Acid (Citric Acid), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Natural Paprika Flavouring, Thickeners (Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum), White Wine Vinegar.

What is the new McDonald's sauce 2024? ›

Trying McDonalds New Savory Chili Sauce!

What are the ingredients in McDonald's sweet chili? ›

OR: Water, Sugar, Glucose Fructose Syrup, Cornflour, Spirit Vinegar, Red Chilli (3.5%), Salt, Rapeseed Oil, Garlic Puree, Dried Chillies, Dried Red Pepper, Acid (Citric Acid), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), White Wine Vinegar, Colour (Paprika Extract), Thickeners (Guar Gum & Xanthan Gum).

Is Sweet Chilli 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.

What flavor is sweet chili? ›

How Does Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Taste? The main components of a typical Thai sweet chili sauce are chili peppers, garlic, sugar, and salt. Together, these ingredients lend the sauce its distinct sweet and spicy flavor.

Is Sweet and Sour the same as sweet chili sauce? ›

Both are incredibly simple to make. The only difference between sweet chilli sauce and sweet and sour sauce is that sweet chilli sauce is sweet, sour, and spicy. So only the spiciness goes missing when using sweet and sour sauce instead of sweet chilli sauce.

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