There’s something truly magical about sweet chilli sauce. It’s the kind of condiment that doesn’t just sit quietly on the side of your plate. It shows up. Drizzled over crispy spring rolls, glazed over chicken wings, or dunked into with reckless joy - this sauce brings both heat and sweet in one smooth, punchy bite.

But here’s the best part: you can absolutely make it yourself. No need to grab a bottle from the shop with a label that lists seventeen ingredients you can’t pronounce. This is about creating something fresh, flavourful, and uniquely yours - with ingredients you probably already have hanging around your kitchen. Shall we?

What Is Sweet Chilli Sauce, Exactly?

Sweet chilli sauce (also known as Thai sweet chilli sauce or nam chim kai, if we’re getting fancy) is that sticky, slightly garlicky, vinegary red sauce that manages to hit sweet, tangy and spicy all at once. It’s typically made with red chillies, sugar, garlic, vinegar, and a touch of salt - and sometimes thickened with a little cornflour to get that glossy, cling-to-everything finish.

You’ll find it in everything from street food carts in Bangkok to hip vegan cafés in Hackney.

Why Make It At Home?

So glad you asked. Besides the satisfaction of DIY-ing your condiments like a domestic legend, homemade sweet chilli sauce means:

You control the heat

Want it mild with a wink of warmth or fiery enough to wake your ancestors? That’s entirely up to you.

No artificial nonsense

No preservatives, no weird gums, no unnecessary fillers. Just real stuff.

You can tweak the flavour

Add lemongrass. Use honey instead of sugar. Chuck in extra garlic because you’re chaotic good. This is your sauce journey.

Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re keeping it classic here, but feel free to riff:

• 3–4 red chillies (medium heat is a good starting point - like fresno or red jalapeño)
• 3 garlic cloves
• ½ cup white sugar (yes, it’s a lot, but it’s sweet chilli sauce)
• ½ cup white vinegar or rice vinegar
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp cornflour + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)

Optional: a splash of fish sauce for umami, or swap in soy sauce for a vegan twist.

Step-By-Step: How To Make Sweet Chilli Sauce

Step 1: Chop or blitz your chillies and garlic

You can finely mince them by hand if you’re going old-school - or pop them in a mini food processor for ease. You want small pieces, but not a full-on purée.

Step 2: Combine the base

In a small saucepan, add your sugar, vinegar, water, salt, and the chilli-garlic mix. Stir it together and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 3: Simmer and reduce

Let it bubble for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sugar should dissolve and the mixture should start smelling gloriously fragrant and slightly dangerous (in a good way).

Step 4: Thicken it up

Mix the cornflour with water in a separate cup, then slowly add it to the saucepan while stirring. Cook for another minute or two - voilà, the sauce will start to thicken into that beautiful glaze.

Step 5: Cool it down

Take it off the heat and let it cool. It’ll thicken a bit more as it sits. Transfer it to a clean jar or bottle once it’s room temperature.

How To Use It (A.K.A. Put It On Everything)

Once you’ve got your sweet chilli sauce sorted, the possibilities are... kind of endless. Think:

• Dunking sauce for dumplings or fries
  
• Glaze for grilled chicken or tofu
  
• Stir-fry boost when things are looking a bit “meh”
  
• Sweet-salty drizzle over noodle bowls or salads
  
• Even swirled into mayo for a low-key spicy aioli

And if you love smooth and spicy sauces with a twist, you might want to check out our take on chilli sauce too. It brings that same playful punch with just the right balance of heat.

Storage Tips (Not Boring, Promise)

Keep your sauce in a sterilised jar or bottle in the fridge. It’ll last a solid 2–3 weeks - longer if you used vinegar with a higher acid content and didn’t skimp on the sugar. Just give it a shake or stir before using, especially if it’s been sitting for a while.

And yep, it also freezes well. Just portion it into ice cube trays if you’re into clever little kitchen hacks.

Can You Make It Vegan Or Glutten-Free?

Absolutely. The base recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free, but here’s what to watch out for:

• Fish sauce: Skip it or swap in soy sauce (or tamari if you’re gluten-free).
• Sugar: In the UK, sugar is typically vegan - but if you're outside the UK, double-check that it hasn't been processed with bone char.

Final Thoughts (And A Little Encouragement)

Making sweet chilli sauce isn’t just a fun kitchen project - it’s a genuinely useful staple that’ll up your flavour game in seconds. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

Plus, once you’ve mastered the basic version, you’ve got a whole world of customisation ahead. Want it fruitier? Try adding pineapple juice. Craving smoky depth? Toss in a dried chipotle. Feeling fancy? Infuse with ginger or lemongrass. The point is: make it yours.

And hey, if you do end up spooning it straight from the jar... we’re not here to judge. Want to keep exploring bold flavour combos? Our collection of smooth and spicy sauces with a twist is waiting for you.