Name: Spicy Chinese Chili Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup neutral oil; 4 Chinese dried chili peppers ((split in half, seeds removed)); 1 cinnamon stick; 1 star anise; 1 bay leaf; 1 sprig cilantro; 2 slices ginger; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 scallion ((chopped into 2-inch pieces)); 8-10 Fresno chile peppers ((finely chopped)); 2 jalapenos ((finely chopped)); 3 tablespoons minced garlic ((about 9 cloves)); 1 tbsp minced ginger ((minced)); 1 tsp coarse kosher salt; 1 tbsp white vinegar

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This is the famous chili sauce you see in all those Chinese TikTok cooking videos. It's spicy, garlicky, and very aromatic. There was no recipe for it online, so I thought I would make one. This recipe is like a combination of all the techniques I saw.

If you're looking for something easier, try my chili oil recipe next!

🌶️ About This Recipe

This Chinese chili sauce is super popular in Chinese Tiktok cooking videos. At one point, my entire feed was filled with those videos, and the top comment in each one was always asking how to make the sauce.

There are a few methods for making the sauce, but one thing they all have in common is to make an infused oil first. The infused oil is usually made with dried chilis, star anise, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, cilantro, and green onions.

In the videos, the chefs usually just pour the infused oil over the raw chile peppers, but I prefer simmering everything on the stove for a few minutes. This releases more flavor from the chiles and softens them to a better texture.

Use an instant-read thermometer

You should use an instant-read thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil. If the temperature is too high, the ingredients will burn and leave a bitter taste. If you don't have one, I highly recommend buying one. I got mine from Amazon for only $15 and it's become one of my most useful kitchen tools since learning to cook.

🧂 Ingredients

Infused oil: Neutral oil (like canola or vegetable), dried Chinese peppers, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaves, cilantro, and scallions.
Chile peppers: I recommend using a 4 to 1-ratio of Fresno chili peppers and jalapenos. They have a moderate spice level, and I like their thicker flesh. For less spicy, you can use Anaheim or poblano peppers. For more spicy, you can add some serrano or Thai chili peppers.
Ginger and garlic: These should be finely minced to release more of their flavor.
Seasonings: Coarse kosher salt and white vinegar. The vinegar really brings the sauce to life!

🔪 Instructions

aromatics in oil after cooking for 7 minutes

STEP 1: Add the oil to a medium saucepan and heat it to 300℉ over medium heat. Add the dried chili peppers, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf, cilantro, ginger, garlic, and scallions. The temperature will go down immediately. Try to maintain a temperature around 250-275℉. Cook the mixture for about 7 minutes until everything has a light golden color.

cooked chili mixture in pan after 2 minutes

STEP 2: Strain the oil and reheat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 350℉. Add Fresno chile peppers, jalapenos, garlic, and ginger, and cook for 2 minutes until the chili peppers are softened. Remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

STEP 3: Transfer the chili sauce to a serving bowl. Add salt and vinegar and stir to combine. Use it immediately or store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

🍲 Serving Suggestions

You can enjoy the chili sauce however you’d like- it goes well with grilled meats, braised dishes, veggies, and noodles. I love eating this with Hainanese chicken or steamed chicken.

Spicy Chinese Chili Sauce

🌶️ About This Recipe

Use an instant-read thermometer

🧂 Ingredients

🔪 Instructions

🍲 Serving Suggestions

📋 Recipe