This Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is a sweet and spicy recipe, which is made with fresh ginger and hot chile peppers. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger root, minced
- 2 teaspoons hot chile pepper, minced
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water, or as needed
How To Make Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
- Simmer the base: Pour the water and vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the sugar, ginger, chile pepper, ketchup, and garlic. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water until it forms a smooth slurry. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the simmering chili sauce.
- Cool and store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool. Once cooled, transfer it to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
Recipe Tips
- How to adjust the spice level? The heat in this sauce is fully customizable. For a milder sauce, use fewer chile peppers or a less spicy variety like a Fresno pepper. For a spicier kick, use a Thai chili or leave some of the seeds in.
- How to get a perfectly smooth sauce? The key is to make a proper cornstarch slurry. Mix the cornstarch and cold water together until completely smooth before whisking it into the hot liquid. This prevents any starchy lumps from forming.
- Can I use fresh ginger and garlic? Yes, fresh is best! Using freshly minced ginger and garlic will provide a much brighter and more potent flavor than the pre-minced jarred varieties.
- Can I use a different type of vinegar? While rice vinegar provides the most authentic flavor, you could substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a pinch. The overall taste will be slightly different.
What To Serve With Sweet Chili Sauce
This versatile sauce is a fantastic condiment for a wide variety of dishes.
- As a dipping sauce for spring rolls, egg rolls, or potstickers
- Tossed with crispy chicken wings or shrimp
- As a glaze for grilled salmon or chicken
- Drizzled over cream cheese and served with crackers
How To Store Sweet Chili Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the cooled sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks. The sauce will continue to thicken as it chills.
Sweet Chili Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Sugar: 14g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
You can use any red chile pepper you like. A Fresno or red jalapeño will give you a moderate heat, while a Thai bird’s eye chili will make it significantly spicier.
This can happen if the sauce wasn’t brought back to a simmer after the cornstarch slurry was added. The cornstarch needs heat to activate its thickening properties. If it’s still thin, you can make another small slurry and whisk it into the simmering sauce.
Yes, this is a classic recipe for the type of sauce often referred to as Thai sweet chili sauce (or Nam Chim Kai in Thai). It has that signature balance of sweet, sour, and spicy.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Miso Ramen Soup Recipe
- Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: Asian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy24
servings5
minutes10
minutes60
kcalA quick and easy homemade sweet chili sauce that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors for a versatile dipping sauce and glaze.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup sugar
2 tsp minced fresh ginger
2 tsp minced hot chile pepper
2 tsp ketchup
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water
Directions
- Boil water and vinegar. Stir in sugar, ginger, chile, ketchup, and garlic; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and 1 tbsp water into a smooth slurry.
- Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For the smoothest sauce, ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in cold water before adding it to the hot liquid.
- The heat level can be easily adjusted by using more or less of your chosen chile pepper.
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools in the refrigerator.
- This homemade version is a great way to control the sugar and spice level to your exact preference.
