This Sweet Chili Sauce (only 5 ingredients) comes together in about 15 minutes and requires just a small saucepan! It’s a quick and easy recipe that your family will love! Plus, you can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste, no need to run to the store! This recipe is ideal for those busy weeknights or as a ‘clean out the fridge’ sauce to use what you have on hand.
Now, let’s get to cooking this delicious sauce that will take any meal from ordinary to extraordinary!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 1 cup Rice Vinegar
- 1 cup Sugar
- ¼ cup Sambal Oelek
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch Slurry
- 1 tsp Salt
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of rice vinegar, 1 cup of sugar, ¼ cup of sambal oelek, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Make sure to stir it all together until the sugar starts dissolving. You’ll notice a lovely blend of colors!
Bring to Simmer: Place the saucepan on medium heat. You’ll want to bring this mixture to a low simmer, trust me, the smells will start to be pretty amazing!
Simmer for 10 Minutes: Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the sugar dissolves completely. You might even catch yourself leaning in and sniffing the air, so fragrant!
Add Cornstarch Slurry: Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in the cornstarch slurry and keep stirring until the sauce thickens, which should take just a minute or so. Oh man, as it thickens, the color gets richer and more inviting!
Cool and Store: After thickening, take it off the heat and let it cool. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to a mason jar or any airtight container for storage.
And bam! You’re done! It’s such a easy recipe that you’ll want to make it again and again!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe for sweet chili sauce and honestly? I’m a real sucker for anything sweet and spicy! It’s such a comforting sauce that lifts even the simplest of weeknight dinners. I also love that it’s so customizable; if I happen to have some bell peppers or garlic lying around, guess what? Those can easily get tossed in too! Plus, the best part is that it makes a fabulous dipping sauce for appetizers like egg rolls or chicken nuggets, your family will adore it!
If you loved this quick and easy Sweet Chili Sauce, be sure to check out my Zesty Jalapeno Honey Mustard Sauce, Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce, or Gordon Ramsay Pepper Sauce!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
Here’s the deal: this sweet chili sauce comes together in under 15 minutes, making it fantastic for busy weeknights! Quick and easy, hello! You’ll be sipping on your tea while it simmers away and smells delicious in the kitchen!
Budget-Friendly
You won’t need to break the bank; this recipe uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. I mean, who doesn’t have sugar and salt on hand? Hello, convenience!
Customizable
Feeling adventurous? This recipe is a dream for customization! Not a sambal fan? Try swapping it out with a splash of hot sauce or adding some minced garlic for an extra layer of flavor. Use whatever you’ve got lying around and make it your own!
Make-Ahead Friendly
This sauce is perfect for meal prep! Make a batch ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You’ll be so glad to have it on hand for quick dinners, marinades, or when you just want to jazz up a simple dish!
Comfort Food
This isn’t just any sauce. This sweet chili sauce is loaded with tons of flavor, it’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s just perfect. The whole family will love it whether you use it over fried rice, grilled meats, or veggies. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s a comfort food favorite in my household!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This sweet chili sauce pairs so well with so many things. From grilled chicken to shrimp, and veggies to spring rolls, you name it, it’ll make it sing! Or, hey, pour it over some quick stir-fried noodles and call it dinner!
How Long It Keeps
It’ll keep well in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. As if you could eat it all in one day, right?
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave in 10-15 second intervals, stirring in between. Or heat it in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through. Always check for seasoning and feel free to add a splash of water if it’s too thick for your liking!
Is It Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze it for up to three months. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to use it, just let it thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed.
And there you have it! A quick and easy Sweet Chili Sauce that’s sure to brighten your meals and become a faves recipe in your collection. Enjoy creating this little masterpiece, and make sure to share it with your loved ones, because honestly, good food is meant to be shared! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar, sambal oelek, and salt. Stir until the sugar starts to dissolve.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring the mixture to a low simmer.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sugar is fully dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens.
- After thickening, remove from heat and let it cool. Transfer to a mason jar or airtight container for storage.