Description
This Sweet Chili Sauce is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, making it an essential condiment for dipping, glazing, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. It’s quick and easy to make with simple ingredients, and it’s much better than store-bought versions. Use it for spring rolls, grilled meats, stir-fries, or as a delicious dipping sauce!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp honey (or more sugar for extra sweetness)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek (or 1 tbsp red pepper flakes for heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
In a saucepan over medium heat, mix water, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, fish sauce, sambal oelek, garlic, and ginger.
Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a gentle boil.
Thicken the Sauce:
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Cool & Store:
Remove from heat and let the sauce cool. It will thicken further as it cools.
Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Make it milder: Reduce the sambal oelek or red pepper flakes.
- Make it spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha.
- Storage tip: Keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge; stir before using.