Chili Garlic Sauce

Enjoy a homemade version of chili garlic sauce with this easy-to-make recipe. Spicy, savory, and subtly sweet flavors meld together for a condiment that brings life to just about any dish. Less than 10 ingredients and 15 minutes of time are all you need!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Simple: You need all but 10 simple ingredients to make chili garlic sauce, and most of them are pantry staples. Plus, the entire recipe comes together in just 15 minutes.
• Spicy: This is a sauce for spice lovers! If that sounds like you, drop what you’re doing and try it out! If you prefer things spicier, it’s easy to customize with different chili flakes.
• Versatile: This sauce is not just for Asian-inspired dishes. Add it to avocado toast, pasta, tacos, and more for a way to add flavor and heat.

What is chili garlic sauce?

Chili garlic sauce is an Asian-American condiment popularly sold under the brand name Huy Fong. It turns up the heat and boosts the flavor of everything it’s added to.

Korean chili pepper flakes, garlic, shallots, neutral oil, vinegar, and sugar make up the majority of this recipe, lending spicy, sweet, and zesty flavors. I’ve kept the other seasonings simple, but you can get creative by using Chinese five spice, bay leaves, Szechuan peppercorns, and more.

Add this versatile sauce to stir-fries, noodle dishes, dumplings, ramen, or whatever else you think could use it!

Is chili garlic vegan?

In general, chili garlic paste is a vegan-friendly condiment. However, some brands add ingredients like shrimp paste, so always double-check the label.

This is why I tend to err on the side of homemaking sauces like this. That way, I know exactly what I’m putting into it. Plus, it’s extremely quick and easy to whip together whenever I need more!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Korean chili pepper flakes: Known as gochugaru (고추가루) in Korean, this spice is mild to moderate with a hint of sweetness. It comes in both powder and flake form, so double-check the label before purchasing!

• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a savory punch, creating a well-rounded and flavor-intense chili garlic sauce. I don’t recommend substituting it with garlic powder.
• Shallot: For a more mild and subdued taste, I prefer shallots over regular white or yellow onions. If you don’t have access to shallots, replace them with spring onions.
• Oil: Use a neutral-flavored oil for this recipe so it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Since it forms the base, I recommend a good quality avocado oil. However, you can also use olive oil if you prefer.
• Low-sodium soy sauce: Imparts a delicious umami element, so don’t skip the soy sauce! Make sure it is low-sodium to prevent an overly salty recipe.
• Rice vinegar: For an acidic and subtly sweet flavor profile, opt for rice vinegar. If you don’t have rice vinegar on hand, replace it with regular vinegar and a little extra sugar.
• Brown sugar: Add brown sugar or coconut sugar to tame the spice, tang, and savoriness. I prefer these options to regular sugar as they are more complex and rich, but regular sugar will work in a pinch.
• Sesame seeds: Impart a mild, sweet, and nutty taste that pairs with the chili flakes incredibly well! Use white sesame seeds for this sauce.
• Salt & pepper: To enhance the flavors of the other sauce ingredients.

Instructions

• Step 1: First, you will need to finely mince the garlic and shallots, then add both of them to a saucepan with avocado oil. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 5 minutes. Remember to stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.

• Step 2: Add the Korean chili flakes and continue stirring and cooking for another couple of minutes.

• Step 3: Season the sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring on a gentle simmer for a little while longer, then remove the chili garlic paste from the heat. 

• Step 4: Let the sauce cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container for storage.

How to serve chili garlic sauce

The great thing about chili garlic sauce is how versatile it is! Once made, it pairs perfectly alongside dishes like these:

• Vietnamese Pizza
• TikTok ramen
• Chow fun noodles
• Stir-fried glass noodles
• Vegan lemongrass ramen
• Crispy Baked Tofu

Storage

Keep your chili garlic sauce long-lasting by following this simple tip:

• Fridge: Wait until the sauce is fully cooled, then transfer it to a mason jar or airtight container. Store your chili garlic sauce in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Variations

• Seasonings: Try adding Chinese five spice, bay leaves, Szechuan peppercorn powder, star anise, toasted sesame oil, or balsamic vinegar.
• Spicy: Turn the heat up a notch with Thai chilis, crushed red pepper, hot paprika, cayenne pepper flakes, or arbol chilis.
• Filipino-inspired: For an entirely different flavor profile, infuse your chili garlic paste with hoisin and star anise.

Top tips

• Use fresh chili flakes: Since chili flakes are a main component of the recipe, it’s important to ensure they are fresh or have been stored properly.
• Opt for quality oil: The other primary ingredient in the recipe is oil, so choosing a quality brand will improve the overall taste and mouthfeel. Whenever possible, opt for the highest quality oil you can afford.
• Watch the garlic: Don’t forget to continuously stir the garlic to avoid burning it. If garlic burns, it imparts an unpleasant bitter flavor throughout the entire sauce.

FAQ

Similar Recipes

If you enjoyed this homemade chili garlic sauce recipe, be sure to check out some of my other favorite flavor enhancers like these:

• Garlic chutney: A zesty Indian condiment that’s great on just about any dish.
• Southwest salad dressing: Creamy, spicy, and flavorful salad dressing.
• Green chutney: Made from a base of cilantro, garlic, chilis, and peanuts.
• Tamarind chutney: Full of sweet, tangy, and lightly spiced flavors.
• Vegan Kewpie mayo: A simple Japanese condiment made plant-based.