Easy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe | Homemade Spicy Dipping Sauce
A quick, glossy sweet chili sauce with a balanced garlicky heat and mellow sweetness made from pantry staples. Perfect for dipping, glazing, and drizzling, and ready in about 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 tablespoon ketchup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce or soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water (for slurry)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Instructions
- Add the water, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, ketchup if using, fish sauce or soy sauce if using, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan and whisk to dissolve the sugar.
- Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the garlic softens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water to make a smooth slurry.
- While the sauce simmers, slowly whisk in the slurry and continue whisking until the sauce turns glossy and slightly thick, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust with a splash of vinegar for more tang, a pinch of sugar for sweetness, or more red pepper flakes for heat.
- Remove from heat and let cool; the sauce will thicken as it cools. Transfer to a clean jar once warm.
Notes
Makes about 1 cup; approximately 8 tablespoons. For a thinner sauce, whisk in warm water 1 teaspoon at a time; for thicker sauce, simmer 30 to 60 seconds longer or add 1/2 teaspoon more slurry. Store refrigerated in a clean, airtight jar up to 2 weeks, or freeze up to 3 months. Use soy sauce or tamari for a vegan option. Variations: honey-lime, mango chili, extra garlicky, ginger, or sambal in place of red pepper flakes.