Flavorful homemade Asian sweet chili Thai sauce is sweet and spicy. Also, it has a beautiful bright red color. It's great for deep-frying wonton, tofu, egg rolls and Vietnamese spring rolls as a dipping sauce. It is a little different from sweet and sour sauce. Besides, this Thai sweet chili sauce recipe is great to make Thai chicken pizza. Let's learn how to make homemade Thai sweet chili sauce with step by step photos and a video!
Like sauce? Check out these homemade garlic chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, black pepper sauce, chili oil, XO sauce and ginger scallion sauce recipes.
What is Thai sweet chili sauce (nam chim kai)?
Sweet Thai chili sauce known as nam chim kai in Thailand. "Nam Chim" translates to "dipping sauce" in Thai, and "kai" means "chicken." Therefore, it is usually called Thai chicken dipping sauce or Thai sweet chili sauce. Also, it is a popular condiment and originated in Thailand.
It is widely used in Thai cuisine. Not only is it popular and common in Thai cuisines, but also around South East Asian and Western because the sauce is versatile. It tastes sweet, tangy and slightly spicy. Typically, the sauce contains red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and sugar. Then, blend the ingredients together to create a smooth and thick sauce.
A well-known Mae ploy brand Thai sweet chili sauce can be found in most Asian and regular grocery stores. It is sold in bottles and can be stored at room temperature until opened. Once opened, it is best to refrigerate the sauce to maintain its quality and prolong its shelf life.
How do I use sweet Thai chili sauce?
Sweet Thai chili sauce is often used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, deep fried wonton, lettuce wrap dishes, chicken wings, and fried foods. Besides, it can also be used as a glaze for grilled or roasted meats to enhance flavors for stir fry and noodle dishes. The sauce balances sweetness and spiciness, therefore; it makes it a popular choice for a wide range of dishes. Personally, I love to use it for Thai chicken pizza as well.
Why homemade sweet Thai chili sauce (nam chim kai )?
It is easy to make at home and takes a few minutes to put ingredients together. Also, you can find everything you need in your pantry or at your local supermarket. Homemade sweet Thai chili sauce is good because you can control the ingredients and the amount of sweetness and heat.
What does sweet Thai chili sauce taste like?
Sweet Thai chili sauce has a distinct flavor that combines the sweetness, tanginess, and a mild spiciness. The taste can vary slightly depending on the brand or homemade recipe. However, in general, it offers sweetness, tanginess and spiciness.
The sweetness is from the sugar. This helps balance the spiciness and tanginess of the sauce. Besides, it has a tangy flavor that comes from ingredients like vinegar. This tanginess adds a refreshing element to the overall taste. In addition, it's mild to moderate spiciness. The level of heat can vary depending on the type and quantity of chili peppers used. It provides a subtle kick and adds depth to the sauce without overpowering the other flavors.
Storage suggestions for homemade Thai sweet chili sauce:
To store homemade sweet Thai chili sauce, first allow the sauce to cool completely at room temperature before storing it. Then, pour the sauce into clean, sterilized and airtight containers like glass jars or bottles with tight-fitting lids. Avoid using containers made of metal materials, it may affect the taste and quality of the sauce.
After that, store and label the sauce in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and quality. The cold temperature helps inhibit bacterial growth and preserves the flavors. It is recommended to consume the sauce within 2 to 4 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold growth, off odors, or changes in color or texture, please discard the sauce. Some like to freeze the sauce and heat it up in a saucepan when needed.
What are the ingredients for homemade Thai sweet chili sauce?
The basic ingredients are garlic, red chili peppers, sugar, salt, vinegar, water and tapioca starch. However, in this homemade sweet Thai chili sauce recipe, I added a red bell pepper which gives a very nice and natural bright red color. Also, I use Thai chili and it’s very spicy. Therefore, I only add 2-3 Thai chili peppers. Some like to use Fresno chili or red jalapeños.
Cooking tips for how to make Thai sweet chili sauce:
- Peel garlic and cut red bell pepper into chunks.
- Then, put garlic, red bell pepper, water and Thai chilis into a tall container. I like to use a pitcher because the stuff won’t come out when you blend it. But, in the video I used a mixing bowl because it is easy to see.
- Blend until it has little chunks that don't have to be very fine and smooth.
- Add sugar, salt, white vinegar and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes.
- I like to use tapioca starch to thicken the sauce because it gives a clear and transparent color. The sauce will be thicker when it cools down. However, you can use cornstarch. It works ok.
- Since Thai chili is very hot, I only use 2-3 chili peppers. You can add more or less depending on how hot you want the sauce. I like to use two Thai chilis because it is not too hot and has a great spicy flavor.
FAQs:
The sauce will last for a few weeks if refrigerated.
It can be used for many other foods like deep fried egg rolls, tofu, wonton, Vietnamese spring rolls, spread on burgers, lettuce wrap with meats, Thai chicken pizza, etc.
I use Thai chili and it’s very spicy. Therefore, I only add 2-3 Thai chili peppers. Some like to use Fresno chili or red jalapeños.
Instructions for how to make homemade Thai sweet chili sauce:
1. Wash, remove seeds and cut 1 large sized red bell pepper into chunks.
2. Peel and wash 10 cloves of garlic.
3. Next, put 2 Thai chili peppers, 10 peeled garlic cloves, 1 large cut up red bell pepper into the mixing bowl. Pour ½ cup of water and blend it.
4. Blend the mixture until it's little chunks, don't have to be fine and smooth.
5. After that, pour the mixture into a pot and turn on medium high fire until it's boiling. Then, add 1 cup of sugar, 1.5 teaspoon of salt, and ¾ cup of white vinegar. Stir and mix it well.
6. Turn the fire to small and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Then, add tapioca mixture (tapioca starch 1.5 tablespoons and water 2 tablespoons mix well) to thicken the sauce.
Enjoy this easy and tasty homemade Asian sweet chili Thai sauce recipe! Also, check out these massaman curry, tom yum kung, pad Thai noodles, mango sticky rice, pad ka prao, spicy lemon shrimp, red curry and green curry recipes.
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Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Pot
- 1 Blender/ chopper
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Large Red bell pepper
- 2-3 Thai chili peppers (I like to use 2)
- 10 cloves Garlic
- ½ cup Water
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt
- ¾ cup White vinegar
THICKEN SAUCE:
- 1.5 tablespoons Tapioca starch
- 2 tablespoons Water
Instructions
- Wash, remove seeds and cut 1 large sized red bell pepper into chunks.
- Peel and wash 10 cloves of garlic.
- Next, put 2 Thai chili peppers, 10 peeled garlic cloves, 1 large cut up red bell pepper into the mixing bowl. Pour ½ cup of water and blend it.
- Blend the mixture until it's little chunks, don't have to be fine and smooth.
- After that, pour the mixture into a pot and turn on medium high fire until it's boiling. Then, add 1 cup of sugar, 1.5 teaspoon of salt, and ¾ cup of white vinegar. Stir and mix it well.
- Turn the fire to small and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Then, add tapioca mixture (tapioca starch 1.5 tablespoons and water 2 tablespoons mix well) to thicken the sauce.
Notes
Cooking tips for how to make Thai sweet chili sauce:
- Peel garlic and cut red bell pepper into chunks.
- Then, put garlic, red bell pepper, water and Thai chilis into a tall container. I like to use a pitcher because the stuff won’t come out when you blend it. But, in the video I used a mixing bowl because it is easy to see.
- Blend until it has little chunks that don't have to be very fine and smooth.
- Add sugar, salt, white vinegar and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes.
- I like to use tapioca starch to thicken the sauce because it gives a clear and transparent color. The sauce will be thicker when it cools down. However, you can use cornstarch. It works ok.
- Since Thai chili is very hot, I only use 2-3 chili peppers. You can add more or less depending on how hot you want the sauce. I like to use two Thai chilis because it is not too hot and has a great spicy flavor.
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