Chinese Chili Sauce Recipes(辣椒酱)

Chili Sauce is a sauce made from chili peppers, commonly found on dining tables. There are two main types: oil-based and water-based. Oil-based Chili Sauce is made with sesame oil and chili peppers, giving it a bright red color with a layer of sesame oil on top, which helps with preservation. Water-based Chili Sauce, on the other hand, is made with water and chili peppers, also vibrant red in color. It typically includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, sugar, and salt, resulting in a more flavorful taste.

8 Reviews
8 Comments
POSTED:05/07/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:5-8 servings
Total:1 hr 20 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:3 min

Chili Sauce is an essential seasoning on our dining tables, known for its spicy and delicious flavor that leaves a lasting impression. It can be directly dipped with steamed buns, mixed into rice or noodles, and used for stir-frying dishes. Adding Chili Sauce to food enhances its aroma and spiciness, making it appetizing.Today, let's learn how to make homemade Chili Sauce together.


1.What ingredients are in Chili Sauce?

①Chili peppers are the main component of Chili Sauce, providing spiciness and the foundational flavor. The type and freshness of chili peppers used will affect the heat level and overall flavor profile of the Chili Sauce.

②In Hunan-style Chili Sauce, additional ingredients may include Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame oil, diced ginger, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and fermented black beans (豆豉).

③Five-spice Chili Sauce primarily uses red chili peppers as the main ingredient. It includes supplementary ingredients such as Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, Chinese prickly ash, licorice, cloves, star anise, and doubanjiang (fermented bean paste).

④In Korean-style Chili Sauce, ingredients such as apple, garlic, gochujang (fermented chili paste), white vinegar, salt, sugar, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are commonly added to create the distinctive Korean flavor profile.

⑤Sweet chili sauce: A slightly sweet Chili Sauce can be made by incorporating basic ingredients such as sugar, salt, vinegar, ginger, and garlic. By adjusting the proportions of these ingredients, you can create a Chili Sauce that combines sweetness with spiciness.


2.How to store Chili Sauce?

①Refrigerate:Chili Sauce should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in the refrigerated section and not in the freezer. Freezing can affect the texture and flavor of the Chili Sauce. Once opened, store the Chili Sauce in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling at room temperature.

②Seal and store:Store Chili Sauce in a tightly sealed container to prevent oxygen and moisture from entering, which helps prevent the sauce from spoiling and going bad. Ensure the container is dry inside to avoid bacterial growth.

③Sterilization process:Before transferring Chili Sauce into containers, it's essential to clean and thoroughly sterilize the containers. This can be achieved by soaking the containers in boiling water for several minutes or using a high-temperature, high-pressure sterilizer.


3.How long can homemade Chili Sauce be stored?

Generally speaking, homemade Chili Sauce, if oil-based, can be stored at room temperature for about 1-2 months, whereas water-based Chili Sauce may have a slightly shorter shelf life. When stored in a cool place, homemade Chili Sauce can last for approximately 2 months. To extend its shelf life, you can cover the surface of the Chili Sauce with a layer of oil to seal out air and prevent spoilage. Adding a small amount of high-proof alcohol can also help prevent mold growth.


4.How to tell if Chili Sauce has gone bad?

①Inspect the appearance:If you see white mold or other colored spots on the surface of the Chili Sauce, it typically means the sauce has spoiled and should not be consumed.

②Smell the odor:Spoiled Chili Sauce typically emits a sour smell or other unusual odors. If you detect an abnormal smell, it may indicate that the Chili Sauce has gone bad.


Today, I made a versatile Chili Sauce that pairs perfectly with stir-fried dishes, enhancing their flavor. Now, I'll share the recipe for this Chili Sauce with everyone.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 500g red chili peppers

ACCESSORIES

  • 50g garlic

SEASONINGS

  • 20g salt
  • 20g white wine
  • 250g vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the ingredients. Peel the garlic and finely chop it into minced garlic.

Prepare ingredients and finely chop garlic into minced garlic.

STEP 2

Wash the chili peppers thoroughly, dry them, and after removing the stems, chop them into small pieces.

Tip:

It's recommended to wear disposable gloves during this step to avoid chili peppers irritating your fingers.

Wash, dry, chop chili peppers; wear gloves to avoid irritation.

STEP 3

Mix the chopped chili peppers with minced garlic, white wine, and salt until well combined. Let the mixture sit at room temperature to marinate for 1 hour.

Tip:

Adding white wine to the Chili Sauce not only enhances the flavor but also acts as a disinfectant.

Combine chili peppers, garlic, white wine, and salt for flavorful sauce, letting it marinate to enhance taste.

STEP 4

Stir-fry the marinated Chili Sauce with oil.

Stir-fry marinated Chili Sauce for a flavorful dish.

STEP 5

Continue stir-frying until the liquid is reduced/dries up.

Continue stir-frying until liquid reduces/dries up.

STEP 6

After the stir-fried Chili Sauce cools down, transfer it into bottles for storage.

Tip:

The finished Chili Sauce can be used immediately or stored in a tightly sealed container that has been sterilized.

Transfer stir-fried Chili Sauce into sterilized bottles for storage; use immediately or seal tightly.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Chinese Chili Sauce Recipes(辣椒酱)
  • Main Ingredients:2
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:550 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 550 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):275 kcal
    13%
  • Protein:13.18 g
    24%
  • Fat:1.25 g Why gray?
    3%
  • Carbohydrates:63.83 g
    26%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 12%
    33 kcal
  • Fat: 4%
    10 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 84%
    232 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
18:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

8 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
SophieOctober 31, 2024

What should I do if the chilli sauce is too spicy?
reply:
November 03, 2024
You can add some sugar or vinegar to neutralise the spiciness.
SophiaOctober 19, 2024

Can I substitute other chillies for the chilli variety?
reply:
October 21, 2024
Yes, but different chillies have different levels of spiciness and flavour, which can affect the taste of the chilli sauce.
SavorySnackSphereOctober 04, 2024

How can I reduce the spiciness if I don't like it too hot?
reply:
October 07, 2024
You can reduce the amount of chili peppers or add a bit of sugar or honey to balance the heat.
FlavorFusionFantasySeptember 12, 2024

This sauce is absolutely delicious, with just the right amount of heat—it’s very appetizing!
SavorySnackJourneySeptember 21, 2024

If I don't have white wine, what can I use instead?
reply:
September 24, 2024
You can use apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar as a substitute. The flavor will be slightly different, but it works well.
PatriciaJuly 24, 2024

The process of making it is simple and intuitive for a novice to try.
AnnaJuly 09, 2024

This Sichuan chili sauce is just like the one I make back home.
jiesiiJuly 09, 2024

This chili sauce is very appetizing for dumplings
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