Description
This quick and easy Sweet Chili Sauce is honey-sweetened for a natural, delicious balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Ready in just 10 minutes, it uses pantry staples like dried chili flakes, garlic, and rice vinegar, thickened with potato starch for a perfect dipping or drizzling sauce. Ideal for adding a tangy kick to your favorite dishes while keeping things wholesome.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried chili flakes
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 large cloves)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons salt
Thickening Agent
- 1 tablespoon potato starch (or organic cornstarch)
- 2 tablespoons water (divided from total)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients and Boil: Add the dried chili flakes, minced garlic, rice vinegar, honey, 3/4 cup water, and salt into a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for one full minute while stirring constantly to ensure the flavors meld and do not stick to the pan.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix the potato starch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of water until fully dissolved. Pour this slurry into the boiling sauce slowly, stirring continuously over medium heat. The sauce will thicken quickly, typically in less than a minute. Continue stirring to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the sweet chili sauce to a clean glass container such as a reused dressing bottle or pint-sized canning jar. Seal and refrigerate. The sauce can be kept in the fridge for several weeks and used as a delicious dipping sauce or condiment.
Notes
- Use dried chili flakes for authentic heat; adjust the amount for more or less spiciness.
- Rice vinegar provides a mild acidity, but white vinegar can be substituted if necessary.
- Potato starch is preferred for thickening to maintain a clear sauce; cornstarch works as an alternative.
- Store the sauce in a clean glass container to preserve freshness and flavor.
- The sauce tastes even better after resting overnight in the fridge as flavors develop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: sweet chili sauce, honey sweetened sauce, homemade chili sauce, Asian dipping sauce, quick chili sauce, easy sweet chili recipe
