How To Make Sweet Chili Sauce

Name: How To Make Sweet Chili Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 6 dried red hot chili peppers, crushed (you may use as many as you want. I use dried whole chili Arbol); 1 cup drinking water, at room temperature; ½ cup rice wine vinegar; ¾ cup brown sugar (any type of sugar works fine); 2 tsp ginger, finely minced; 2 tsp minced garlic; 2 tsp tomato ketchup; 2 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch); ¼ cup drinking water, at room temperature

Join me in learning how to make sweet chili sauce. I'm making this mild (you can make it really spicy by adding more dried chilis) and appetizing dipping sauce.

Rating: (1)
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Updated: Updated February 10, 2024

By Mari & Jacob Petrosky
Cooked, filmed, and tested in our Arizona kitchen

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Sweet Chili Sauce is our household favorite when it comes to a dipping sauce. This recipe is perfect for any side dishes or main course meals. The salty, sour, and sweet taste is a combination you will want to try for yourself if you are a dipping sauce junky. Join me in learning how to make sweet chili sauce. I’m making this mild (you can make it really spicy by adding more dried chilis) and appetizing dipping sauce.

How To Make Sweet Chili Sauce

Ingredients

6 dried red hot chili peppers, crushed (you may use as many as you want. I use dried whole chili Arbol)
1 cup drinking water, at room temperature
½ cup rice wine vinegar
¾ cup brown sugar (any type of sugar works fine)
2 tsp ginger, finely minced
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp tomato ketchup

Corn Flour Mixture

2 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch)
¼ cup drinking water, at room temperature

Item’s you’ll need

Measuring cups and/or containers
Medium-sized saucepan
Wooden ladle or spatula
Cutting board
Knives
Mason jar with a lid (hold 20 to 24 fl oz)
Small spoons
Small funnel
Wooden or chopstick

Instructions

Crush The Dried Red Hot Chili Peppers

filipino woman in kitchen crushing dried red peppers in ziplock bag

Use a pestle and mortar to crush the chili peppers if available. In this case, I used a plastic bag and my bare hands to crush them as I do not have the above-mentioned tool. You can be creative if you are lacking the appropriate material you need just as long as it works. Then put them in a measuring container and set them aside.

Make The Sauce

crush red peppers being placed in pot for sweet chili sauce

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the following, water, rice wine vinegar, and brown sugar over medium-high heat. Stir it to combine and until the sugar dissolves. Add the minced ginger and garlic, the hot chili peppers, and tomato ketchup. Stir it and allow it to simmer for 8 to 12 minutes.

Make The Corn Flour Mixture and Add To The Sauce

corn flour being added to pot for sweet chili sauce

Add the corn flour into the water and stir until the corn flour dissolve and the water becomes smooth when you stir. Pour the corn flour mixture into the sauce and stir until well blended. Boil for 8 to 12 minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Then remove from the stove and allow the sauce to cool down thoroughly.

Transfer To A Storage Jar

sweet chili sauce being poured into a mason jar via funnel

When the sweet chili sauce has cooled down completely, transfer into a mason jar with a lid. Use a small funnel to prevent spillage. Use a wooden or chopstick (or any long and pointy object you have) to unclog. Then pour the remaining sauce into the jar and cover. Serve chilled or warm with any of your favorite side dishes or main course meals. Make sure to refrigerate after use. Enjoy!

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