Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

This homemade sweet chili sauce is packed with flavor but isn't too spicy; it's perfect for dipping your favorite foods! It’s easy to make and tastes so much better than the store-bought version—with no high-fructose corn syrup!

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce (*nam chim kai*) is a classic condiment in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Thailand. It can be used as a dipping sauce, a marinade, a glaze, and much more. It is my go-to choice for spring rolls, but I also use it to add a special touch to fried tofu! Honestly, it goes well with *everything*!

Nowadays, you can find sweet chili sauce in the international aisle of most supermarkets. However, these commercial sauces often contain additives or ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. Stop buying mass-produced versions and make this homemade sweet chili sauce using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry! This delicious, flavor-packed sauce is not only exquisite but also vegan, low in sodium, and easily adaptable to be gluten-free. When you make it at home, you know exactly what’s in the jar!

If you’ve never tried sweet chili sauce, you’re going to love this recipe! You’ve never tasted a sauce with such depth of flavor made from such simple ingredients!

Is sweet chili sauce the same as sweet and sour sauce?

Although they serve a similar purpose—such as a dipping sauce or marinade—sweet and sour sauce and sweet chili sauce have different ingredients and flavor profiles.

Sweet and sour sauce is made with pineapple and is not spicy. Its natural color is brown, but red food coloring is added to give it that characteristic hue often seen in restaurants or commercial bottles. On the other hand, sweet chili sauce incorporates red chilies and has a spicy kick; the heat level depends on the quantity and type of chili used. It also contains a significant amount of sugar, which mellows the heat.

As a child, I loved sweet and sour sauce. Now that I’m an adult, I appreciate a bit of heat! Sweet chili sauce is one of my favorite condiments, and I always keep some on hand.

Ingredients

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon light soy sauce (use coconut aminos for a gluten-free version)

4 teaspoons red pepper flakes or red chili flakes

For the cornstarch mixture

3 teaspoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth; set aside.

Toast the red chili flakes in a medium saucepan over medium heat for about 3 minutes. This helps enhance the spice's flavor.

Add the vinegar, water, sugar, minced garlic, and soy sauce, and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for 4 minutes, stirring as needed to prevent it from boiling over.

Reduce the heat to low. Slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly until fully incorporated.

Remove the saucepan from the heat. The sauce is ready to use immediately but will continue to thicken as it cools. Allow the sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container for storage.

7 new ways to use sweet chili sauce

Sweet chili sauce is well known as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or chicken satay. But have you tried it with burgers? Here are some of our favorite, original ways to use this *umami*-rich sauce:

1. Dipping sauce for french fries
2. Glaze for chicken wings
3. Topping for cream cheese served with crackers
4. Sauce for grilled salmon
5. Dipping sauce for chicken nuggets
6. Flavoring for stir-fries
7. Sandwich spread

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this sweet chili sauce need to be refrigerated?

Yes, your homemade sweet chili sauce should be kept refrigerated. It is made without the added preservatives found in commercial versions; however, its high vinegar content helps it keep better than most homemade sauces. If stored in a glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator, the sauce should stay good for up to a month.

Are red bell pepper flakes and red chili flakes the same thing?

Red bell pepper flakes and red chili flakes are essentially the same and can be used interchangeably. The main difference lies in the type of pepper used: chili flakes are made from red chilies, whereas red bell pepper flakes may come from a blend of different varieties.

Since they can be made from various types of peppers, red bell pepper flakes have the potential to be spicier. If you aren't used to heat, I recommend opting for red chili flakes, as their heat level is more predictable. You can also look for red bell pepper flakes labeled as mild.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a spicier sauce, use red bell pepper flakes labeled as strong or hot. Trying different varieties allows you to experiment with different levels of heat.

Is sweet chili sauce gluten-free?

Since soy sauce contains ingredients derived from wheat, the original recipe is not entirely gluten-free. However, it can easily be made gluten-free by substituting coconut aminos for the light soy sauce. The flavor will be virtually identical!