Chili Sauce is a sweet, spicy, and savory American condiment. It is usually made of tomato paste or puree, chili flakes and powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and sweetening agents like honey and brown sugar.
This Homemade Chili Sauce is one of the best and easy-to-make sauces that are usually served as a dipping sauce for shrimp, chicken wings, snacks, or appetizers. It is also used as a marinade in chicken, and seafood recipes. You can also use it as a topping for sandwiches, and burgers, to glaze meatloaf, in meatballs, stir fry dishes, or as a salad dressing.
The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make Chili Sauce with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home. I have also shared a detailed video below to make the process visually clear.
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What is Chili Sauce?
Chili Sauce is a sweet, spicy, and popular American condiment. It is usually made of tomato paste or puree, chili flakes and powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and sweetening agents like honey and brown sugar.
This sauce is usually served as a dipping sauce for seafood like shrimp, chicken wings, and snacks, and as a marinade in some recipes. It is also used as a topping for sandwiches, and burgers, to glaze meatloaf, in meatballs, stir fry dishes, or as a salad dressing.
Even though there are many popular brands available in stores, making your homemade sauces are always the best. Especially the ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, and spice powders give the most flavor to your sauce.
While the honey and brown sugar balance out the heat. Not to mention the role of the vinegar which delivers a sour and acidic taste. Additionally, it helps to extend the shelf life of the sauce as well.
On the whole, it delivers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors to your dish. That's why you can also find it as one of the ingredients in many Indo-Chinese recipes like egg fried rice, and also in many Chinese recipes.
Whether to make yourself a bowl of dipping sauce for your favorite dishes or planning to make it for a get-together or party, this Homemade Chili Sauce is the best. Yes, it comes in handy in under 10 minutes and stays good for several weeks.
If you are looking for homemade sauces like this, feel free to check out the best stir-fry sauces that are already here in this blog.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Chili Sauce are pretty basic and you should easily find them in your local grocery stores. So let's see what are they below.
- Tomato Paste or Puree - Tomato paste or puree both work fine for this recipe. I have used paste here but feel free to use puree if that's handy for you. But if you are planning to use puree then you have to adjust the water or broth quantity because the puree is not thick as the paste
- Rice Vinegar - Gives a sour and acidic flavor to your sauce. Also, it is a good ingredient that acts as a preservative that increases the shelf life of the sauce
- Worcestershire Sauce - Delivers the fresh umami flavor and taste. Usually, Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies as one of the ingredients, so if you want to make a vegan-friendly sauce then you can substitute it with soy sauce. Also, you can find many vegan-friendly Worcestershire sauces in stores that deliver the similar result
- Chili Powder and Flakes - Delivers the essential heat for the sauce. But I suggest starting with ½ tsp and then increasing the quantity if needed
- Spice Powders - Clove powder, nutmeg powder, and cinnamon powder for a warm, earthy, and spicy flavor
- Brown Sugar and Honey - balance the heat, and complex flavors
- Water or Broth - To thin out the tomato paste. Even though I have used water, you can use chicken or veggie broth to enhance the flavor of the sauce
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below
How to make Spicy Chili Sauce at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is a Spicy Homemade Chili Sauce, which is widely used as a dipping sauce or condiment for making many dishes. This sauce makes a perfect side sauce for your snacks, appetizers, and starters. The bonus is it comes in handy in under 10 minutes to make it from scratch.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Add & Whisk - In a saucepan with medium heat, add all the ingredients mentioned in the recipe card below. Whisk well until everything incorporated
- Simmer - Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 7 to 10 minutes. This will help the flavors to infuse together
- Remove - Now remove the Sauce from the heat and it is now ready for you to taste and enjoy
- Serve or Store - this Homemade Chili Sauce as a dipping sauce for your snacks, appetizers, chicken wings, or baked drumsticks, or as a condiment in stir-fry dishes like Schezwan fried rice, chili paneer, chili chicken, for marinating shrimp, salmon, and chicken. You can also store this sauce for up to 1 month in the refrigerator
Substitute For Chili Sauce
Are you short on time, and need the best substitute for Chili Sauce? Don't worry, there are a few alternatives to mimic the similar flavor of the chili sauce if you are using it as a condiment, marinade, or dipping sauce for your food dishes.
Sambal Olek, harissa sauce, hot sauce, sriracha sauce, and spicy tomato sauce are some of the best substitutes for chili sauce. These substitutes can be used instead of chili sauce in your recipes, but for dipping, I recommend hot sauce and spicy tomato sauce.
Tips
- Use tomato paste or puree - You can use either store-bought tomato paste or puree for making this sauce and adjust the liquid base to thin out the consistency as needed
- Increase your heat gradually - I recommend the chili powder and flakes starting with ½ tsp, taste test, and then gradually increase if needed
- Worcestershire Sauce - It delivers unique umami flavors but feels free to skip if you are looking for vegan-friendly sauce. Soy sauce, miso paste, or store-bought vegan Worcestershire sauce can be a perfect alternative for achieving similar results
- Boil for a few minutes - Make sure not to skip the simmering part of the sauce, which helps to absorb all the flavors from the spices and other ingredients
Storage Suggestions
You can store this sauce for up to 1 month in the refrigerator in a closed airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this Homemade Chili Sauce as a dipping sauce for your snacks, appetizers, chicken wings, fried recipes, or baked drumsticks, or as a condiment in stir-fry dishes like Schezwan fried rice, chilli paneer, chilli chicken, for marinating shrimp, salmon, and chicken.
Related Recipes
You can also find similar sauce recipes below and more at dips & condiments.
- Chili Garlic Sauce
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Chili Oil
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Tamarind Sauce
- Buffalo Wings Sauce
- Szechuan Sauce
- Stir Fry Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Orange Sauce
- Kung Pao Sauce
- General Tso's Sauce
- Ginger Garlic Paste
- Yellow Curry Paste
- Red Curry Paste
- Chili Seasoning
Chili Sauce Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Chili Sauce Recipe that I hope will help you to make a spicy sauce or condiment at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Tomato Paste, 6 oz can
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Chili Powder, start with ½ tsp then increase if needed or use paprika
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes, start with ½ tsp then increase if needed
- ¼ tsp Clove Powder
- ¼ tsp Cinnamon Powder
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg Powder
- 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce, skip for a vegan version, or sub with soy sauce
- 1 cup Water, or broth of your choice
- Salt, as needed
Instructions
To make Chili Sauce
- In a saucepan with medium heat, add all the ingredients mentioned in the list above. Whisk well until everything incorporated
- Allow the sauce to boil for at least 7 to 10 minutes. This will help the flavors to infuse together
- Now remove the Chili Sauce from the heat and it is now ready for you to taste and enjoy
To Serve
- Serve this Homemade Chili Sauce as a dipping sauce for your snacks, appetizers, chicken wings, baked drumsticks, or as a condiment in stir-fry dishes like Schezwan fried rice, chilli paneer, chilli chicken, for marinating shrimp, salmon, and chicken. You can also store this sauce for up to 1 month in the refrigerator
Video
Notes
- Use tomato paste or puree - You can use either store-bought tomato paste or puree for making this sauce and adjust the liquid base to thin out the consistency as needed
- Increase your heat gradually - I recommend the chili powder and flakes starting with ½ tsp, taste test, and then gradually increase if needed
- Worcestershire Sauce - It delivers unique umami flavors but feels free to skip if you are looking for vegan-friendly sauce. Soy sauce, miso paste, or store-bought vegan Worcestershire sauce can be a perfect alternative for achieving similar results
- Boil for a few minutes - Make sure not to skip the simmering part of the sauce, which helps to absorb all the flavors from the spices and other ingredients
Nutrition
FAQ
Chili Sauce is a sweet, spicy, and popular American condiment. It is usually made of tomato paste or puree, chili flakes and powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and sweetening agents like honey and brown sugar.
Sambal Olek, harissa sauce, hot sauce, sriracha sauce, tomato, and spicy tomato sauce are some of the best substitutes for chili sauce. These substitutes can be instead of chili sauce in your recipes, but for dipping, I recommend hot sauce and spicy tomato sauce.
You can store this sauce for up to 1 month in the refrigerator in a closed airtight container.
You can serve this Homemade Chili Sauce as a dipping sauce for your snacks, appetizers, chicken wings, fried recipes, or baked drumsticks, or as a condiment in stir-fry dishes like Schezwan fried rice, chilli paneer, chilli chicken, for marinating shrimp, salmon, and chicken.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and I would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
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