Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
This luscious Thai Sweet Chili Sauce is a versatile condiment that will elevate your culinary creations. With a delightful blend of spiciness and sweetness, this homemade version rivals store-bought brands such as Mae Ploy. It's incredibly aromatic, featuring vibrant flecks of red chili and the enticing aroma of garlic. Perfect for dipping or adding an exotic twist to a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, this budget-friendly sauce is a must-have addition to your kitchen.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh red serrano peppers or Thai chiles
7 (stems removed, seeds optional)
garlic cloves
4 (peeled)
fish sauce
3 tablespoons
rice vinegar
1 cup
water
1 cup
granulated sugar
1 cup
Instructions
1
Prepare the chilies by removing their stems. You can choose to leave the seeds in for extra heat or remove them for a milder sauce.
2
Place the prepared chilies and peeled garlic cloves in a mortar and pound them into a coarse paste. It's fine to have a few visible chili pieces left. Alternatively, you may pulse them using a small spice mill.
3
In a small saucepan, combine the ground chili-garlic paste with fish sauce, rice vinegar, water, and sugar. Whisk the mixture together until well combined.
4
Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer. Stir frequently until it thickens and lightly coats the back of a spoon, which should take about 15-20 minutes.
6
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the sauce to cool to room temperature.
7
Transfer the cooled sauce to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator. Use as needed.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homemade Thai Sweet Chili Sauce?
It is a versatile, luscious condiment featuring a blend of spiciness and sweetness with vibrant flecks of red chili and garlic.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
This recipe requires 6 main ingredients: peppers, garlic, fish sauce, rice vinegar, water, and sugar.
What types of peppers are recommended?
The recipe suggests using fresh red serrano peppers or Thai chiles.
How can I make a milder version of this sauce?
To reduce the heat, remove the seeds from the peppers during preparation.
How should the peppers be prepared?
Remove the stems from the peppers before processing them.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 4 peeled garlic cloves.
What is the best way to grind the chili and garlic?
You can pound them into a coarse paste using a mortar and pestle or pulse them in a small spice mill.
Should the chili-garlic paste be perfectly smooth?
No, it is fine to have a few visible chili pieces left in the coarse paste.
What liquids are added to the saucepan?
The ground paste is combined with fish sauce, rice vinegar, and water.
How much sugar is required?
The recipe uses 1 cup of granulated sugar.
What type of vinegar should I use?
Use 1 cup of rice vinegar for this sauce.
How much fish sauce is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of fish sauce.
How should the mixture be combined before cooking?
Whisk all ingredients together in a small saucepan until well combined.
What is the initial cooking temperature?
Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
What should I do once the sauce boils?
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken?
The simmering process typically takes about 15-20 minutes.
How do I test the thickness of the sauce?
The sauce is ready when it is thick enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.
Should I stir the sauce while it simmers?
Yes, stir the mixture frequently as it simmers and thickens.
What is the cooling process?
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to reach room temperature.
How should the sauce be stored?
Transfer the cooled sauce to a sealed container and keep it in the refrigerator.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
Is this sauce budget-friendly?
Yes, this homemade version is described as a budget-friendly addition to your kitchen.
Which commercial brand is this sauce compared to?
This recipe is noted to rival store-bought brands like Mae Ploy.
What is the primary aroma of this sauce?
The sauce features an enticing aroma of garlic and fresh chilies.
What can I use this sauce for?
It is perfect for dipping or adding an exotic twist to Asian-inspired dishes.
What category of food does this fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Sauces and Condiments.
Can I leave the seeds in the peppers?
Yes, leave the seeds in if you prefer a sauce with extra heat.
Is water used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of water.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include Thai, sweet and spicy, dipping sauce, and homemade.
What is the final texture of the sauce?
The final product is a thickened, aromatic sauce with visible red chili flecks.