Thai Chili Sauce
Authentic Thai sweet chili sauce recipe or how to make healthy homemade sweet chili sauce without preservatives and refined sugar. Same thick, sweet and spicy like store bought just waaaay healthier!
This sweet chili sauce keeps well in the fridge for a month or so. Give it a shake before using and you are good to go. Great with meat, fish and for dipping.
What Is Sweet Chili Sauce?
According to Wikipedia, Thai sweet chili sauce translated from Thai means literally “dipping sauce for chicken”. You know that thick sweet and spicy orange in colour store-bought sauce? Most popular brand is Thai Kitchen. It is made of mostly refined sugar and spices.
That’s the Asian sweet chili sauce this healthy version recipe is for.
Thai Sauce Ingredients:
The best part is that all ingredients listed below are affordable and easy to buy organic. Main ingredient, maple syrup, is way better than sugar containing antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and lower glycemic index than sugar.
- Maple syrup
- Water
- Vinegar
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
How to Make Asian Sweet Chili Sauce
- In a small saucepan, whisk all ingredients until combined.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 7-10 minutes or until thickened. Transfer to a glass jar and use with meats, seafood, vegetables and for dipping.
How Long Does It Last?
You can refrigerate sauce for up to 2-3 weeks. It might thicken a bit and become cloudy. Just warm it up quickly in a microwave or simmer on the stove on low heat. To thin out homemade Thai sweet chili sauce, add a splash of water after heating and stir. Adjust until desired consistency.
Remember, it’s homemade with natural ingredients.:)
What to Make with Thai Chili Sauce?
- Thai salmon – broiled salmon fillet with caramelized Thai chili sauce on top.
- Cedar plank salmon – a variation of Thai salmon on the grill.
- Thai chicken bites – healthy crowd pleasing appetizer.
- Slow cooker Thai chicken thighs – OMG so good and juicy!
Watch Olena Make Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
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Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp white or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 small garlic clove grated
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk all ingredients until combined. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 7-10 minutes or until thickened.
- Transfer to a glass jar and use with meat, fish, vegetables and for dipping. Highly recommend to make Thai Salmon that everyone will rave about for weeks!
Store: Refrigerate for up to a few weeks.
Video
Nutrition
Recipes and images are a copyright of ifoodreal.com. It is against the law to republish recipes anywhere including social media, print and all world wide web. Nutritional info is provided for informational purposes only and to the best knowledge.
I am following a 30 day program and the only vinegar I can have is apple cider vinegar. Do you think that would work with the flavor profile of your recipe?
I think so!
I love how simple and versatile this recipe is. I whipped it together to use with some egg rolls and it was the perfect accompaniment.
Happy to hear this Teresa!
Excellent as is, thanks for such a simple tasty recipe!
Had it with spring rolls 🙂
Yum!
Thank you for this delicious recipe! The best salmon recipe I’ve tried! I paired it with brown jasmine rice. Amazing!!!
I really appreciate your amazing review Vicki!
We ABSOLUTELY LOVE this recipe. I make it about every couple of weeks for our salmon. So much better than store bought, which is just full if sugar. I have added a wee bit more pepper flakes because we do like spicy. But be careful, overdid it once!
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for taking the time to write such positive feedback!
I’ve been wanting to jazz up my salmon for awhile now. Very simple which is key, and delish!
Very tasty, although I prefer a bit more heat, next time I’ll try it with 1 tsp. red pepper flakes. I also subbed half of the maple syrup with raw honey. Easy and quick!
Glad you like it and of course, heat level can be adjusted to your personal preference 🙂
This is so good!! Have made it twice this week with salmon! Delicious!
This sauce does go great with salmon. So glad you like it Michaela!
Do you know if you can make sticky (sweet) rice in instapot?
I am sure you can, but I do not have a recipe for sticky rice.
Excellent sauce. Originally used for the salmon recipe but very versatile and elegant with many other dishes.
That’s great Sue 🙂
This is amazing! Next time I’ll have to double it cause it only lasted a day. My family started using it on everything like fried chicken and steamed veggies. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Amanda! Yes, you will have to make a bigger batch next time 🙂
Delish. It was a little spicy for myself and senior parents. I added 2T orange marmalade and 4 T soy. (Which thinned it a bit. Made it better to slather on the rice too!!! Lol)
I will make again and again.
On chicken tomorrow!!!
Thank you
Happy to hear that you were able to adjust it to your liking Joann!
Have you tried on shrimp?
Wow what a great healthy way to enjoy a sweet chili sauce. Once I read the ingredients on the store bought one, I googled a healthy alternative and got this amazing and super easy recipe!! Thank you so much, Diane
You are very welcome Diane!
Great recipe and finally one that is the closest to the store-bought Sweet Chili Sauce! But much healthier!
I’m very happy with this recipe and how wonderfully easy it is.
Though I did alter it slightly by using twice the amount of chili, adding some fresh ginger and frying the dry ingredients before adding the wet ones. It’s a teeny bit too sweet for my personal taste and did come out pretty thick, but I don’t mind.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed the recipe! I know what you mean about sweetness but otherwise sauce won’t thicken up.:)
This was awesome my family loved it I made it to put on my homemade Sweet Fire Chicken
Fantastic! Happy to hear!
Love it on salmon or chicken
I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe, Sonia. 🙂
Rave review from 5 family’s members, the youngest of whom is 3!
I’ve been making this recipe for a few years! It is my go to for chicken wings coming out of the ActiFry and anyone who has had it loved it! Sometimes if I’m running low on maple syrup I substitute it with agave syrup (its cheap at Costco) and haven’t noticed it affect the flavour. I also don’t add as much salt. It is my favourite dipping sauce!
Thanks for taking time to comment. Yes you can use any liquid sweetener. Even honey. Happy to hear you like it.:)
yummy..!!! I really love sweet chili sauce and you given such a good recipe to make sweet chili sauce at home.
Happy to hear, Jenny!
I have started making this by the pint! We love it and put it on everything.
Haha, danger-danger. Glad to hear.:)
Olena, you don’t know how often I go to your site to pick up healthy eating ideas. I am making Thai salmon this week, and I made this Thai Sweet Chili Sauce recipe. I cooked the sauce for 5 minutes, and it’s still kind of thick. I am doubtful it will slide off the basting brush without being reheated or something. Do you have to reheat it? (But on the side note, I have enjoyed licking the whisk because this sauce is AMAZING!).
Happy to hear, Wendi.:) The more you cook, the thicker it is. Dilute with water and yes you could reheat it. Sometimes it comes out thicker for me too. It’s homemade food. Enjoy!
Loved it!!!!
Can this recipe be canned via water bath for longer keeping?
Sorry I have no idea.
This sauce is kind of amazing!!! I have been looking for a recipe like this for a while now. The best part, it is healthy, and no weird ingredients. Your always my go to if I need a recipe and you never disappoint. Thank you Olena!!!
You are so welcome. Thank you for your kind words!:)
Such a healthy alternative!
White Vinegar and Cornstarch, can definitely not be placed as healthy in any category! Although Maple Syrup is all Natural, it still ain’t too good for you!
OK, Mr. Life Is Bad For You. Seriously, this is funny. You should browse Pinterest less, will live much longer.
Can I use garlic powder instead of the garlic cloves?
Yes, use to taste. Garlic powder is milder than garlic.
Other way around!
1/8 Teaspoon Powder = 1 Clove
Very-very important and helpful info!
sounds really yum! can I replace maple syrup by honey?
I’m sure that yes.
Just made this sauce for the salmon and it is so tick! I might have to try it again.
Thin it out with a bit of water. It is a cornstarch that has been cooked a bit too long that has thickened, not a big deal.
Except for the Cornstarch, it is Clean Eating 🙂
And White Vinegar 😛
That is really not true. 😛
Can rice vinegar be used instead of white vinegar?
Yes.
Delicious, clean, healthy dish… My wife is Thai and we’ve been using a similar recipe for some time. Love your too!
Awesome. Thank you.
This is fabulous! I just made a batch with raw honey instead of the maple syrup. I added 2 dried Thai chili peppers that I minced and ginger. It is spicy but delicious. I am going to glaze Brussels sprouts with it. And as a side note it is amazing drizzled over plain yogurt. Thank you for sharing!
Wow. I would never think of that combo. I will try.
Can I use almond mill instead of corn starch
Hi Tee. You mean almond meal I think. No because it won’t thicken the sauce.
Try a arrowroot flour/starch to keep it paleo and make it thicken.
Do you have to let the sauce cool in the glass jar before refrigerating it or should you refrigerate it right away?
Yes. Let sauce cool. Generally everything has to be cooled before placed in the fridge. That is what I learnt. Warm food is not good for the fridge.
Help! I have made the sauce three times now and I only got it right the first time. 🙁 I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but the last two times I made the sauce it is very jelly-like (i.e. it doesn’t spread/move) and is not smooth and saucy. Do all of the ingredients need to be room temperature? My maple syrup is refrigerated. Am I simmering too long? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. I love this sauce and your salmon recipe. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Cate. You are either cooking it too long or adding too much cornstarch. Use half amount cornstarch, or measure cornstarch properly and time yourself for cooking time. The jelly sauce you can fix by adding a bit water and extra salt. Don’t throw it away. I refrigerate my maple syrup too so that is not the issue. You are welcome.
I can’t seem to find chili flakes? Crazy right. What could I use.
Thank you
That is crazy. Anything spicy like sriracha, cayenne pepper. They are called red pepper flakes too sometimes.
Recipe sounds tasty! For clean eating, make sure your cornstarch is organic, otherwise, you’re consuming GMOs.
Yes, for sure. I use only organic cornstarch. I do not add that to ingredients otherwise all my ingredients would say “organic” next to them LOL. I rely on readers’ common sense.
hi. i add a can of diced tomatoes and then serve over cheese or beef raviolies…yum..simply made, simply delicious!!
Great recipe – perfect balance of salty/sweet! I substituted honey for maple syrup (bc I hate syrup) and warmed the water in microwave and mixed cornstarch in it before adding to pan to keep it from getting lumpy. My whole family loved it!
Glad to hear that!
My husband is diabetic. Do you think I can use a sugar free syrup?
Hi Sophie. If it is of same consistency as maple syrup then maybe. I have never worked with sugar free syrup for health reasons so can’t tell exactly how it behaves during cooking process.
hi, i just notice this website, and your question is interesting, have you try the stevia instead. worst case you have to put more water and more corn starch into the recipe ;p
I can’t imagine the sweet chilli sauce taste OK with large amount of stevia because sweetener is the main ingredient in this recipe.
YUM! txs for sharing…
Can I replace the cornstarch with corn syrup? I’m out of starch…and at a loss at what to replace it with ;p
Honestly, I have never cooked with corn syrup because for health reasons, obviously my blog LOL. If it helps to solidify things then it should work. Use one last time and throw it out.:)
Thanks so much for this recipe! It is super yummy! I am going to be making stir fry and was thinking about making it in this sauce. Would you recommend cooking the sauce in the wok with the chicken and veggies as opposed to using the already cooked sauce?
Awesome. Hmmm, no, I would still cook sauce separate and add at the very end, even off the stove. It might not thicken otherwise.
can you substitute arrowroot for the cornstarch?
Yes.
Thank you! I love sweet hot chili sauce.
You are welcome, Sandy. We use it often!