Homemade Sweet and Spicy Soy Chili Sauce Recipe

There’s something so comforting about a good sauce—especially when it elevates simple ingredients into something bold and flavorful. 

Today’s recipe is all about just that. A balanced, homemade sauce that hits all the right notes: spicy, savory, and a touch of sweet. 

Whether you’re diving into noodle bowls, stir-fries, or looking for a great dipping sauce for your vegetable pancake, this sweet chili sauce recipe brings everything together.

This spicy sauce has become a go-to in my kitchen. Designed to complement a variety of dishes, it delivers the best flavor without needing any store-bought shortcuts. 

The combination of soy, chili, and ginger in this Asian sauce creates a bold but approachable flavor that can be adjusted based on personal preference and heat level.

Let’s dive into what makes this a versatile sauce and why it deserves a spot in your cooking routine.

Jump to:

• Spicy sauce
• Sweet chili sauce recipe
• Easy recipe
• Why use sesame oil?
• Rice vinegar
• Get your FREE cookbook!
• Chili flakes
• Fresh ginger
• Cornstarch slurry
• Great dipping sauce
• How to use this versatile sauce
• Ingredients at your grocery stores
• More Asian recipes
• Homemade Sweet and Spicy Soy Chili Sauce Recipe
• Other recipes you may like
• Tried this recipe? We’d love your review!

Spicy sauce

The heart of this recipe lies in its spicy sauce foundation. Not only does it wake up your taste buds, but it also brings warmth and complexity to the dish without overpowering it. 

Unlike a one-note hot sauce, this recipe combines savory sauce richness with balanced heat. It doesn’t just burn—it satisfies.

If you're new to making homemade sauce, don’t worry. This is a simple sauce that comes together easily with ingredients you can find in most grocery stores.

Sweet chili sauce recipe

The balance of flavors in this homemade sweet chili sauce comes from the subtle addition of white sugar. 

Sweetness is what helps the strong saltiness of soy sauce mellow into something smooth and full-bodied. 

Think of it as the natural counterpart to monosodium glutamate—without the additives. It’s what gives this Asian chili sauce its signature profile.

Earlier versions of this recipe used honey, but it never quite matched what is found in Asian food or Chinese food. Switching to raw sugar brought everything into balance. 

That’s when the flavor truly came alive.

Easy recipe

This is truly an easy recipe. Once the ingredients are prepped, everything comes together in just a few minutes. 

You’ll be using medium heat, and the only prep you need is to mince a bit of fresh ginger.

The recipe card below will guide you through the process, but the idea is simple: sauté the aromatics, simmer the liquids, and finish with a cornstarch slurry for a glossy, thickened texture. That’s it!

It’s so quick to make that it’s easy to whip up a batch whenever needed.

Why use sesame oil?

Sesame oil is one of the key flavor boosters in this sauce. While vegetable oil provides a neutral base, sesame oil adds nutty undertones and depth that are essential in many Asian recipes.

When lightly heated, the aroma of sesame oil fills the kitchen with that unmistakable Asian food fragrance. It plays beautifully with soy sauce and ginger, rounding out the sauce’s flavors.

You’ll find yourself reaching for this oil again and again—not just for sauces, but in dressings, marinades, and finishing touches for stir-fries.

Rice vinegar

This recipe calls for rice vinegar, also referred to as rice wine vinegar. The mild acidity of rice vinegar balances the sweetness and adds a clean finish to the sauce. 

Unlike harsher vinegars, rice wine vinegar is subtle and works well with the saltiness of soy sauce and the sweetness of sugar.

It’s one of those pantry staples that elevates the whole dish without stealing the spotlight.

Chili flakes

To bring the heat, chili flakes are used instead of fresh chili. They’re easy to store, simple to measure, and offer a reliable, consistent heat level. 

Using chili flakes lets you control the spice without overwhelming the sauce—and you can always adjust for your personal preference.

If desired, the flakes could be swapped for fresh chilis, but I find the texture and balance of flavor are perfect just the way they are.

Fresh ginger

Let’s talk about fresh ginger. This is the ingredient that wakes everything up. 

When it’s gently sautéed, the fresh ginger releases its aromatic oils and infuses the entire sauce with warmth and zing.

While garlic might seem like the go-to for many sauces, ginger has a more refreshing bite that pairs better with soy and sweet notes. 

It brings a brightness that cuts through the richness and spice, and for that reason, I always reach for fresh ginger in this sauce.

Cornstarch slurry

A cornstarch slurry is used to thicken the sauce. 

This step is what gives the sauce its glossy finish and satisfying cling when drizzled over noodles or spooned onto rice. 

A mixture of cornstarch and water is stirred in near the end and simmered until the texture is just right.

The consistency is smooth, and the thickening makes this a great dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, or even summer rolls.

Great dipping sauce

As much as this works beautifully as a stir fry sauce, it’s also the great dipping sauce you’ve been looking for. 

Whether it’s crispy egg rolls, steamed dumplings, or crunchy vegetables, this homemade sauce transforms each bite into something crave-worthy.

And because it stores well in a sealed container, you can keep it in the fridge and have it ready whenever the craving hits.

How to use this versatile sauce

Here’s where the fun begins. This versatile sauce can be used in a variety of dishes:

1. Drizzled over stir-fried vegetables and noodles
2. Tossed with tofu or tempeh for a plant-based meal
3. Served as a great dipping sauce with gyoza, potstickers, or spring rolls
4. Brushed over grilled veggies or skewers
5. Mixed into rice bowls for added flavor

The possibilities are endless—and that’s what makes this homemade sweet chili sauce such a gem.

Ingredients at your grocery stores

All of the ingredients in this sweet chili sauce recipe can be found at most local grocery stores. No special trips required. 

Whether you're shopping in the international aisle or your regular spice section, these pantry-friendly items are easy to source and often already in your kitchen.

More Asian recipes

If you enjoy this sauce, don’t stop here. I’ve been testing more Asian recipes that pair beautifully with this Asian chili sauce. 

It’s been a journey of learning how to balance flavors, tweak textures, and bring more restaurant-quality dishes to the home kitchen. Stay tuned, because more Asian recipes are on the way—and this sauce will be playing a starring role in many of them.

If you’ve been looking for a flavorful, easy, and completely satisfying Asian sauce, this is it. 

This sweet chili sauce recipe has the heat, sweetness, and depth to become a staple in your kitchen.  It’s quick to make, adjustable in spice and sweetness, and pairs perfectly with just about any dish.

Once you try it, you’ll see why I always keep a batch in a sealed container in the fridge. 

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests with your favorite Chinese recipes, this sauce will deliver every time.

Other recipes you may like

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