A spicy-sweet Asian condiment, homemade sweet chili sauce is easily made with dried chilis and sweetened only with honey.
I’ve always loved, loved, loved Asian sweet chili sauce – it’s my favorite thing to top Chicken-Lime Lettuce Wraps, Stir-Fry Vegetables, grilled chicken, and much more as I’m sure you could guess. However, I’ve often felt a tad guilty because sugar is the first ingredient (hello, that’s probably why I like it!), so I wouldn’t buy it very often. But then I’d be missing it. Ugh – the thought processes of healthy eating, right?
Sweet Chili Sauce
The other day I was creating a new slow cooker recipe to share with you (using chicken and our frozen, unblanched green beans – stay tuned!) and I just wanted sweet chili sauce to add to the other Thai-like flavors I had going on (fish sauce and lime juice…). But of course I didn’t have any. I hit the internet and discovered how easy it is to make homemade sweet chili sauce – and to be in control of the sugar content. Score! I didn’t have any fresh chilies, so I adapted this recipe to use dried chili flakes and to be sweetened with only honey – and just 1/3 cup in the whole batch!
The result is still a spicy-sweet concoction, but now I can have it whenever I want–especially because it only takes about 5 minutes to make. Really! It’s a lot more inexpensive with the dried chilis, too. So, to recap: this homemade sweet chili sauce is quicker to make than buy, cheaper and able to make it healthier–that’s the kind of pantry basic recipe I love.
Note: some have asked where to get the dried chili flakes – Amazon (my affiliate links) has a good price here for McCormicks and this is a great price for 1 lb. of organic chili flakes. You can also find them at Costco and in smaller jars at regular grocery stores spice aisles.
Sweet Chili Sauce Made with Honey & Dried Chili Flakes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried chili flakes*
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic about 3 large cloves
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water divided
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon potato starch or organic cornstarch**
Instructions
- Add chili flakes, garlic, vinegar, honey, 3/4 c. water, and salt to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over med-high heat. Boil for a minute at medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Mix the potato starch with the remaining water and add to the sauce, stirring over medium heat until thickened - about another minute or two.
- Remove from heat, cool thoroughly and transfer to a container to store in the fridge (the sauce keeps for a couple of weeks, if it lasts that long...). Reused glass dressing bottles or canning jars both work well.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links and by clicking on them you help support AOC at no extra cost to you – thanks so much! (You can always read our entire disclosure page here.)
More recipes you may like:
Spicy Homemade Canned Plum Sauce
7-Minute Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
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Georgia says
How long would it store for
Jami says
We’ve had it for a month before using it up, but I think it would store longer than that even.
Carol L says
I LOVE sweet chili sauce!!! I would make this, but change when you add the honey from the boiling stage to when it begins to cool in (under 100*) order to save the beneficial enzymes that are destroyed when heating. (otherwise, you might just as well use sugar!) I will make this soon! I usually just buy a large bottle that is pretty decent with regards to ingredients, but making my own is always better!!!!
Jami says
That’s a good suggestion, Carol – thanks!
Rebecca Shashoua says
All I have is malt vinegar, could I use that?!
Jami says
Probably, Rebecca, though it may impart an malt flavor. 🙂
Des says
Could I use regular white vinegar?
Jami says
Yes. I just usually use rice vinegar with Asian dishes and it’s a lighter flavor.
Julia says
Where would you find dried chili flakes? I’m pretty comfortable in the kitchen but I’ve never seen them before.
Bill Mackie says
I just get them at Costco, but any supermarket should have something similar.
Cristi says
Eeeek! So excited to try this!
Michele Laughlin says
I just made this and it is delicious (and spicy- I added an extra teaspoon of chili flakes) !! Thanks for this great and simple recipe!
Jami says
I think you win the prize for first to make it, Michelle. 😉 Glad you liked it!
Cherie says
This sounds wonderful – can’t wait to try it. Thank you !!
Cherie
Gresham, Oregon