Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce is a sweet, spicy and tangy condiment that you can make at home. Use it as a dipping sauce, in stir fry and more!

If you love all things sweet and spicy, then homemade sweet chili sauce will surely become your new favorite kitchen staple.  With just the right balance of heat and sweetness, this sauce is perfect for adding a flavorful kick to your dishes.  

Whether drizzled on grilled chicken, used as a dipping sauce for crispy spring rolls, or a tasty marinade,  the sky is truly the limit with options.  This sauce is made with common ingredients in just a few quick and easy steps.

My recipe tastes very similar to the mae ploy sweet chili sauce, which is my all time favorite. If you want to make sweet chili sauce at home, this recipe is for you!

If you love making homemade sauces and marinades, try my Chimichurri Sauce or Jerk Marinade!

What is Sweet Chili Sauce?

This sauce is a classic condiment in Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Vietnamese. It is sweet, spicy, and sour. You can usually find it premade in most grocery stores in the Asian or International aisle. But, like everything else, homemade is always better!

As a classic condiment in Asian cuisine, you can use sweet chili sauce in a variety of ways. Use it as a dip, sauce or marinade. Best of all, you can customize sweet chili sauce to make it your own. If you more heat, add more chili pepper. If you like it a tad sweeter, you can add more sugar.

Ingredients You Need

You will only need a few simple pantry ingredients to make this sauce.

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

• Sugar: I use granulated sugar in the recipe, but you can also use raw cane sugar, or even brown sugar or honey. Results may vary!
• Vinegar: This is what I use to add acidity to the sauce. It helps balance all of the ingredients well.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Add more if you want your sauce to be spicier, and less if you want it to be less spicy!
• Smoked Paprika: Paprika gives this sauce COLOR!
• Garlic: Always use fresh garlic. The more garlic, the better!
• Soy Sauce: This adds umami flavor to the sauce and a bit of saltiness. If you don’t want to use soy sauce, you can use fish sauce to still give it that umami flavor.
• Cornstarch: The cornstarch is the thickening agent. When mixed with the water it creates a cornstarch slurry.

How to Make Sweet Chili Sauce

This recipe is quick and easy with impressive results!

1. Make the simple syrup: In a sauce pan set over medium-high heat, boil the water and sugar until the water is clear and all of the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the main ingredients: Add the vinegar, red pepper flakes, paprika, and soy sauce. Mix until well combined, then add the garlic. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly.

3. Make the cornstarch slurry: Whisk together the water and cornstarch. Then gradually add to the mixture to thicken the sauce. Continue to simmer the sauce for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the desired thickness is achieved.

Recipe Tips or Variations

• Make it hotter: You can add more crushed red pepper to elevate the heat of your dish. Just be cautious about how much you add, as it can quickly overpower the other flavors if you’re not careful. It’s always best to start with a small amount and adjust to your preferred level of spiciness.
• Don’t skip the fresh garlic: The garlic adds a depth of flavor to the sauce. Do not omit it. It’s a must! You can even add ginger for more Thai-style flavor.
• Cook the sauce gently: Don’t let the sauce boil too much. It should be a gently boil to help thicken the sauce. When in doubt, you can cook the sauce a little longer to allow it to thicken to your desired consistency.

How to Use Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet chili sauce is a versatile condiment that you can use in many ways.

• As a Dipping Sauce: Use the sauce as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, egg rolls, chicken wings or chicken tender, fried wontons or dumplings, French fries, coconut shrimp, and fried calamari. Try it with my Fried Chicken Wings!
• As a Glaze or Marinade: Use the sauce as a marinade for salmon, chicken, pork or tofu. I love it with my Chicken Teriyaki Skewers!
• In Stir Fry: Use sweet chili sauce as a stir fry sauce. I love to coat cooked ground turkey in the sauce to serve with rice for rice bowls. Or add the sauce to some stir-fried protein and veggies.
• Add to dressings or sauces: Stir the chili sauce into mayo to create a creamy spicy-sweet spread for sandwiches or dipping.
• As a Topping: Drizzle the sauce over rice bowls, poke bowls and more. Serve it with burgers, tacos and more. Try it instead of Yum Yum Sauce with my Shrimp Fried Rice.

How to Store Chili Sauce

Store the chili sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. To freeze, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use, gently heat it on the stove top or microwave, then stir to return normal texture.

It’s best to label the jar with the date it was made to keep track of its freshness. If you keep it in a well sealed container, it can sometimes last over a month.