🌶️ Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
Hot & Sweet, Canned in 15 Minutes!
📌 In This Article
🌶️ The Thai Sweet Chili Story
"Super easy to make. Thai hot and sweet dipping sauce. Waterbathed for 15 minutes."
Thai sweet chili sauce is one of those versatile condiments that everyone loves. It's sweet, tangy, spicy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for spring rolls, chicken wings, seafood, and more.
But store-bought versions? They're full of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Making it at home is super easy — and you can water bath can it in just 15 minutes!
💬 The verdict: "This Thai sweet chili sauce is better than store-bought. It's so easy to make and you can can it!"
🌶️ What Is Thai Sweet Chili Sauce?
Thai sweet chili sauce, also known as Nam Chim Kai, is a sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy dipping sauce. It's made with red chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, garlic, and fish sauce — the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and heat.
It's perfect for:
- 🍗 Chicken wings – Glaze or dip
- 🌯 Spring rolls – The classic dipping sauce
- 🍤 Shrimp & seafood – Perfect with fried shrimp
- 🥢 Stir-fries – Adds sweetness and heat
- 🍚 Rice bowls – Drizzle on top
💡 Pro tip: "This sauce is so versatile — you'll find yourself using it on everything!"
📦 Ingredients
🌶️ For the Sauce
- 🌶️ 1 cup red chili peppers – Fresh, finely chopped (Thai bird's eye or serrano)
- 🧄 6 cloves garlic – Finely minced
- 🍬 1 1/2 cups sugar – White or brown
- 🍋 1 cup white vinegar – 5% acidity
- 💧 1/2 cup water
- 🐟 2 tbsp fish sauce – Or soy sauce for vegan
- 🧂 1/2 tsp salt
- 🌿 2 tbsp cornstarch – Mixed with 2 tbsp water
💡 Pro tip: "Adjust the heat by using more or fewer chili peppers. For a milder sauce, remove the seeds!"
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare Your Equipment
- Prepare your water bath canner, jars, and lids.
- Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
💡 Pro tip: "Always start with hot, sterilized jars for a good seal!"
Step 2 – Prep the Peppers and Garlic
- Wash and finely chop the chili peppers.
- Mince the garlic.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend everything in a food processor first.
⚠️ Important: "Wear gloves when handling chili peppers — they can burn your skin!"
Step 3 – Make the Sauce
- In a large saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, fish sauce, chili peppers, and garlic.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
💡 Pro tip: "The longer you simmer, the more the flavors will meld together."
Step 4 – Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Slowly pour the slurry into the sauce while whisking constantly.
- Continue to stir until the sauce thickens.
⚠️ Important: "Stir constantly to prevent lumps from forming."
Step 5 – Fill the Jars
- Ladle the hot sauce into hot jars.
- Leave 1/2 inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles with a bubble remover.
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Add lids and rings — finger-tight.
💡 Pro tip: "Wipe those rims clean! Any residue can prevent a good seal."
Step 6 – Water Bath Process
- Place jars in the water bath canner.
- Process for 15 minutes.
- Adjust for altitude if necessary.
💡 Pro tip: "15 minutes is all you need for this high-acid sauce!"
Step 7 – Cool and Store
- Remove jars and cool on a dishtowel.
- Check seals after 24 hours.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
💡 Pro tip: "Listen for that satisfying 'pop' — that's the sound of a perfect seal!"
🍜 How to Use Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
🍗 As a Dipping Sauce
- 🍗 Chicken wings – Glaze or dip
- 🌯 Spring rolls – The classic pairing
- 🍤 Shrimp – Fried or grilled
- 🥟 Dumplings – Perfect for potstickers
💡 Pro tip: "This sauce is also amazing as a glaze for grilled meats!"
🍳 In Cooking
- 🥢 Stir-fries – Adds sweetness and heat
- 🍚 Rice bowls – Drizzle on top
- 🍜 Noodle dishes – Toss with noodles
- 🍗 Marinade – For chicken or pork
🎁 As a Gift
- 🎁 Gourmet gift: Beautiful in a small jar
- 🏷️ Label it: "Thai Sweet Chili Sauce"
- 🎀 Add a ribbon: Perfect for food lovers
💡 Pro tip: "This sauce makes a wonderful homemade gift for any food lover!"
🥫 How to Store Your Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place
- 🧊 Refrigerator after opening: Use within 1 month
- 🎁 Great gift: Beautiful in a jar with a ribbon!
💡 Pro tip: "Label your jars with the date so you know when they were canned."
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- 🌶️ Control your heat: Remove chili seeds for a milder sauce.
- 🧄 Use fresh garlic: It gives the best flavor.
- 🍬 Use quality sugar: White sugar gives the clearest sauce.
- 🐟 Don't skip fish sauce: It adds depth and umami.
- 🌡️ Watch the thickening: The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- 🫙 Use new lids: Old lids may not seal properly.
- 🏷️ Label everything: Date and contents on every jar.
💡 Pro tip: "Super easy to make. Thai hot and sweet dipping sauce. Waterbathed for 15 minutes."
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I make this less spicy?
Yes — remove the seeds from the chili peppers for a milder sauce.
❓ Can I make it spicier?
Add more chili peppers or include the seeds.
❓ How long does this last?
Up to 1 year when properly canned and stored.
❓ Can I use brown sugar?
Yes, but the sauce will be darker and have a richer flavor.
❓ Can I skip the fish sauce?
Use soy sauce for a vegan version.
❓ Can I water bath can this?
Yes! 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.
❓ Why is my sauce cloudy?
It may be from the chili seeds or not straining.
❓ Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but you may need to process in batches.
❓ Is this better than store-bought?
YES! It's fresher and you control the ingredients.
❓ Will I ever buy store-bought again?
Probably not! Homemade is so much better!
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ THAI SWEET CHILI SAUCE ║
║ Hot & Sweet, Canned in 15 Minutes! ║
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YIELD: 4-5 half-pint jars | TIME: ~30 minutes | PROCESS: 15 min
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INGREDIENTS
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- 1 cup red chili peppers (Thai bird's eye or serrano)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup white vinegar (5%)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegan)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Prepare water bath canner, jars, and lids.
2. Finely chop chili peppers and mince garlic.
3. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt,
fish sauce, chili peppers, and garlic.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
5. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
Slowly pour into sauce while whisking constantly.
6. Ladle hot sauce into hot jars, leaving 1/2" headspace.
7. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, add lids and rings.
8. Process in water bath for 15 minutes.
9. Cool, check seals, and store.
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HOW TO USE
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✓ Chicken wings & spring rolls
✓ Shrimp & seafood
✓ Stir-fries & rice bowls
✓ As a marinade for meats
✓ Makes a wonderful gift!
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HOT & SWEET! 🌶️
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"Super easy to make. Thai hot and sweet dipping sauce.
Waterbathed for 15 minutes." ❤️
© CanningRebels — Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
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