Do you like sweet chili sauce? You can find it at the supermarket, but it won’t be like this one. We’re giving you two versions: one with sugar and a milder version.
This delicious blend of spicy and sweet goes perfectly with many dishes—it’s even delicious with plain rice! If you enjoy bold sauce recipes, this sweet chili sauce won’t leave you indifferent. At Cocina Casera, we’ll tell you how to make it step by step.
When and where did the first chili peppers originate?
The chili pepper is a type of pepper from the Capsicum family. Its origins are ancient, and as is often the case when the distance is so great, it is difficult to pinpoint them precisely
Archaeological evidence suggests that chili peppers emerged 6,000 years ago in the Tehuacán Valley area of Peru. Later, remains were found in Ceren, El Salvador, dating back 4,000 years, and in La Tigra, Venezuela, dating back 1,000 years.
In Mexico, the first chili peppers appeared between 1150 and 1200 BC. The domesticated version of the pepper has larger fruits than the wild ones.
Chili peppers are not only popular in Latin America, but are also widely consumed in Asia. They were introduced to South Asia in the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors via trade routes. The musician and singer Puranda Dasa, born in 1484, said of peppers that they were “a comfort to the poor and a great flavor enhancer.”
Ingredients for Sweet Chili Sauce for 4 people
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rice vinegar | 125 ml |
| Garlic cloves | 4 units |
| Sugar | 150 g |
| Water | 250 ml + 2 tablespoons |
| Soy sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Red chilies or guindillas | 2 units |
| Cornstarch | 1 tablespoon |
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
- Rice vinegar is readily available in many supermarkets, but you can substitute apple cider vinegar. Crush the garlic, then combine it with the vinegar, water, sugar, and soy sauce.
- Prepare a saucepan over low heat and add the above ingredients. Stir occasionally and cook for approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the chili peppers or chopped chili to the previous mixture.
- Combine the cornstarch with two tablespoons of water and mix, dilute in the sauce, and stir.
- Simmer for 8 minutes. Then let it cool and store it in glass jars. As the sauce cools, it will thicken further, giving you a homemade sweet chili sauce.
Notes and Tips
A lighter version of the sauce—to avoid adding sugar—can be made using powdered stevia sweetener, which is heat‑resistant. It doesn’t have the same texture as with sugar, but the flavor is good and the calories are much lower.
Keep in mind that 100 grams of sugar provide 400 calories, and since this recipe uses 150 grams, that would be 600 calories from the sugar alone. Did you like this recipe?
Nutrition Facts
Here’s the nutrition facts table for Healthy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe (serving size: 1 tablespoon / ~15g; recipe yields approximately 16 servings).
| Nutrition | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 25 kcal | 1% |
| Total Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 85 mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 6 g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Total Sugars | 5 g | |
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Calcium | 2 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.1 mg | 0% |
*Disclaimer: Nutrition estimates are for general guidance only, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Actual values vary with sweetener type (honey, maple syrup, or sugar) and chili brand.*