Rating: 3.58
(54)

Chili Sauce

June 12, 2025

Chili sauce is more than just a condiment—it’s a flavor booster that adds heat, depth, and a touch of sweetness to your meals. Whether you’re a spice lover or just want to kick your recipes up a notch, a good sauce is essential in any kitchen.

What Is Chili Sauce?
At its core, chili sauce is a blend of chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. Depending on the recipe or region, it can be sweet, tangy, smoky, or intensely spicy. From classic American-style sauce (a sweet, ketchup-like version) to fiery Thai or Mexican varieties, this sauce comes in countless forms.

Versatility in the Kitchen:
One of chili sauce’s biggest strengths is its versatility. Use it as a marinade for meats, a dipping sauce for spring rolls or dumplings, a topping for eggs or burgers, or a stir-in for soups, stews, keto pizza and noodles. It pairs beautifully with everything from roasted vegetables to grilled seafood.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought:
While store-bought versions are convenient, homemade chili sauce allows you to control the ingredients—and the heat level. Want it smoky? Add chipotle peppers. Prefer sweet heat? Toss in some honey or brown sugar. You can also make it low-carb or sugar-free for keto and paleo diets.

Global Influence:
Every culture has its version of chili sauce. Sriracha from Thailand, sambal oelek from Indonesia, harissa from North Africa, and gochujang from Korea are all chili-based condiments with distinct flavors and uses. Exploring different types can take your cooking on a global tour without leaving your kitchen.

Storage Tips:
This sauce lasts weeks in the fridge, especially if it’s vinegar-based. Store it in a clean, airtight jar and use a clean spoon each time to prevent contamination.


Chili sauce is a small but powerful way to transform your cooking. Whether you’re spicing up tacos, noodles, or a simple sandwich, a spoonful of chili sauce adds bold flavor and personality to every bite.

Chili Sauce
Chili Sauce
3.58 from 54 votes
A versatile and spicy condiment that adds a kick to any dish.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams red chilies stems removed
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Place the red chilies and garlic in a food processor and blend until finely chopped.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, and salt, and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the chili-garlic mixture to the saucepan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Allow the sauce to cool, then transfer to a sterilized jar and refrigerate.

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 20kcalCarbohydrates: 2gSodium: 250mgPotassium: 40mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg
Calories: 20kcal
Meal Type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: condiment, cooking, spicy
Cooking Method: Roasted
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar arnulfo.predovic13 says:

    3 stars
    Wait, can’t you just buy chili sauce? Why make it? 🤷‍♂️

    1. User avatar Peregrin Took says:

      2 stars
      But buying is easier! Who has time to chop all that? 🙄

    2. User avatar shane.kunde2014 says:

      5 stars
      Making it fresh means you control the flavors! Plus, it’s usually healthier and tastes better. 🥳

  2. User avatar jonas.gibson85 says:

    1 star
    I don’t know what I did wrong but it was super spicy! Way too hot for me.

  3. User avatar valeria.thompson47 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! Made it for tacos and everyone loved it. Will definitely make again!

  4. User avatar ebony.krajcik says:

    3 stars
    Recipe was easy to follow, but I think I put too much sugar. It’s kinda sweet?

  5. User avatar Android 20 says:

    5 stars
    Chili sauce good! Me like it a lot! 😋

  6. 2 stars
    I followed the recipe but it turned out too sour 😩. Maybe I used too much vinegar?

  7. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    5 stars
    This chili sauce is fire! Can’t get enough of it 🔥🔥

  8. User avatar Pizpot Gargravarr says:

    5 stars
    This chili sauce is fire! 🔥 I used it on everything this week. Definitely a keeper!

    1. User avatar thomas.mccullough says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This sauce makes everything taste better. Don’t know how I lived without it before! 😍

  9. User avatar santos.mayert33 says:

    4 stars
    Sososo good, but it burned my tongue! 😂 Worth it though!

  10. User avatar Blade Brothers says:

    3 stars
    It’s ok, but mine came out too thick. Didn’t add enough vinegar, I guess.

  11. 5 stars
    Super easy recipe and perfect for tacos. Thank you!

  12. User avatar felice.runolfsson says:

    5 stars
    This chili sauce is AMAZING! So hot and flavorful! Definitely a keeper!

  13. User avatar Draugr Wight says:

    2 stars
    Too much sugar! Want more kick! 🤨

  14. User avatar eden.konopelski says:

    1 star
    I think I lost a finger to this sauce! Never mixing again.

  15. User avatar sandy.harris30 says:

    5 stars
    I tried this and it was BEYOND! Got myself some spice levels!

    1. 5 stars
      So glad you loved it! This sauce is a game changer for sure!

    2. 3 stars
      Sounds good but how spicy is it really? I’m a wuss with spice.

  16. User avatar florence.klocko says:

    1 star
    I made this with green chilies and it didn’t work. Stick to red!

  17. User avatar Mr. Satan says:

    1 star
    Chilli sauce? More like vinegar sauce. Not impressed at all.

  18. User avatar marie.mcglynn1970 says:

    3 stars
    Um, I thought chili sauce had tomatoes? This is different.

  19. User avatar Dwarven Shpere says:

    4 stars
    Very simple to make, but I didn’t have sugar, so I used honey instead. Came out tasting nice!

  20. User avatar Misae Suma says:

    3 stars
    What type of chilies r best for this? I used some random ones and it kinda flopped.

  21. User avatar liberal.hero says:

    3 stars
    Not bad, but kinda bland. Needs more spices, maybe cumin?

    1. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

      4 stars
      I totally agree! A little cumin would kick it up a notch. I usually add some smoked paprika too for an extra depth.

  22. 4 stars
    Nice recipe but I prefer my sauce thicker. Any tips for that?

  23. User avatar gregory.paucek says:

    5 stars
    Soo good! Got my friends hooked. Just the right amount of spice! 😊

  24. 5 stars
    Yummy sauce! Also, great way to clear sinuses!!!

    1. User avatar Laura Norder says:

      5 stars
      Absolutely love this sauce! It adds a kick to everything! 🔥

    2. User avatar arnita.hoppe says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, sounds too spicy for me. I can’t handle hot stuff. 🤷‍♂️

  25. User avatar lonnie.schmitt1955 says:

    3 stars
    i thought it would be thicker, but it’s pretty runny. Might try reducing the vinegar next time.

  26. User avatar nathalie.davis says:

    5 stars
    I love chili! Made it for a BBQ, great hit with my friends.

  27. 3 stars
    I followed the recipe but it came out too spicy for my family. Maybe less chilies next time?

  28. 4 stars
    Can I use apple cider vinegar instead? I only have that!

  29. User avatar frankie.deckow53 says:

    2 stars
    Too spicy for my taste. Should have listened to my gut. 🙁

  30. User avatar Slartibartfast says:

    2 stars
    Is this really the right way to make chili sauce? My grandma does it differently.

  31. User avatar odis.bashirian80 says:

    4 stars
    Yum! I added some extra garlic and it was amazing. Definitely making this again!

  32. User avatar rayford.beatty says:

    4 stars
    I made it with jalapenos instead since that’s all I had and it turned out great!

  33. 5 stars
    This chili sauce is fire! 🔥 I love the kick it gives to my dishes.

  34. User avatar Frost Troll says:

    3 stars
    It was ok, but a bit too tangy for my taste. Next time I might cut back on the vinegar.

  35. User avatar lavette.schuppe2012 says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, didn’t turn out like I thought it would. Too vinegary for my taste.

    1. User avatar sari.mosciski says:

      4 stars
      Sorry to hear that! Maybe try reducing the vinegar next time. I love this recipe!

    2. User avatar vernell.ondricka says:

      2 stars
      Too vinegary? Really? I think it’s perfect! Maybe you just don’t like vinegar much.

  36. 4 stars
    Can I use apple cider vinegar instead? Asking for a friend!

  37. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    4 stars
    This is way too easy! I thought chili sauce would be complicated. I’m impressed!

  38. 2 stars
    Honestly, I found it way too spicy! I thought with that much vinegar it would balance, but nope. 🤯

    1. 4 stars
      I get where you’re coming from! Spiciness can be subjective. Maybe try reducing the chilies next time? 🌶️

  39. 5 stars
    Best chili sauce ever!!! I even gave some to my neighbor and they love it too! You’re a genius! 🌟

  40. 5 stars
    This is super easy! My kids even liked it, and they usually hate spicy stuff.

  41. 5 stars
    Delicious! I used this for my tacos and everyone loved it!

    1. User avatar calvin.wilkinson says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad you liked it! This sauce is a game changer for tacos.

    2. User avatar julietta.mann10 says:

      3 stars
      Really? I thought it would be too spicy for my family. Maybe I’ll give it a try.

3.58 from 54 votes
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