Sweet Chilli Sauce with Fresh Chillies Recipe
A vibrant and tangy Sweet Chilli Sauce made from fresh red chillies or dried chilli flakes, combined with garlic, sugar, vinegar, and thickened with cornstarch. This versatile sauce is quick to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for dipping, glazing, or adding a spicy kick to your favorite dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup (approximately) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Chilli Base
- 80 grams Red chilli pepper (About 2.8oz / ½ cup) or 2-3 tbsp dried crushed chilli flakes
- 2 tbsp Garlic (Minced)
- 120 ml Water (About ½ cup)
Sauce Mixture
- 120 ml Distilled white vinegar (About ½ cup)
- 100 grams Sugar (About ½ cup)
- 1 tsp Salt
Thickening Agent
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
Instructions
- Prepare Chillies: If using fresh red chillies, blend the chillies, minced garlic, and water in a food processor until roughly chopped to create the base for the sauce. If using dried chilli flakes, skip this step.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the blended mixture to a pot, or if using dried chilli flakes, use a saucepan directly and add the chilli flakes. Add sugar, distilled white vinegar, and salt to the pot or saucepan.
- Simmer Sauce: Heat the mixture on the stovetop and bring it to a simmer. Continue simmering and stir occasionally for 4 to 5 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for an additional few minutes while stirring continuously until the sauce slightly thickens to a syrupy consistency.
- Cool and Store: Remove the sauce from heat and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, pour the sweet chilli sauce into a clean jar or container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by using more or fewer chillies or dried chilli flakes.
- Use distilled white vinegar for the classic tangy flavor; other types may alter the taste.
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t overcook the cornstarch mixture.
- Store the sauce refrigerated in an airtight container for best freshness and quality.
- This sauce is perfect as a dip, glaze for grilled meats, or a condiment with stir-fry dishes.
Keywords: sweet chilli sauce, homemade chilli sauce, spicy dipping sauce, Asian sauce, sweet and spicy sauce
