Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Chili Sauce Recipe From Scratch
In the restaurants, we never would buy chili sauce. Why would we when we already had everything to make our own? I’m pretty sure if you look in your pantry, you also have them!
Let me show you how just a few ingredients, a bowl, a whisk, and a few minutes are all you need to make the best homemade chili sauce!
Chili sauce is like ketchup’s older brother. He’s a bit spicier, thicker, and more rugged. He doesn’t have time for shenanigans and wants to get down to business.
TKW Family Love
I swear we’re on the same wavelength! I ran out of chili sauce for a meatball recipe and didn’t have the time to run to the store to buy it. I went to Google and did a quick search and there you were!
I cannot believe how easy chili sauce is to make at home! I had everything on hand and it took maybe a minute. I think it took longer to grab it from the pantry versus actually making it!
I’ll never buy storebought again!
Homemade Chili Sauce Ingredients
This is such a simple recipe that I’m fairly sure you guys already have everything you need on hand to make this. I’m sharing this recipe now as it’s part of my Base Recipe series, and I have a few Follow-On recipes that call for Chili Sauce.
- Tomato Paste
- Liquids – water and white vinegar
- Spices
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
WATCH: Making Chili Sauce From Scratch
How To Make Chili Sauce at Home
- To a bowl, add your ketchup and tomato paste, then give it a light whisk.
- Next, add water and vinegar and whisk to combine.
- Add the seasonings and brown sugar, whisking well to incorporate fully.
Storing Homemade Chili Sauce
If you’re not using it immediately, transfer it to a lidded jar and store it in the fridge *See How Long Does Homemade Chili Sauce Last section.
I prefer to extend its life and preserve its quality, so I store it in the fridge. Though it only takes a few minutes to whisk up, I often make it right when I need it for a recipe. My fridge space is always limited, and since this is so incredibly easy to make, why bother making extra when it’s not needed?
Uses for Chili Sauce
Once you’ve experienced how easy it is to make chili sauce from scratch, you’re probably wondering how to use it. As I mentioned above, it’s very similar to ketchup, but it’s spicier and much thicker in consistency.
- Cocktail Sauce – it’s most known for being used to make cocktail sauce for shrimp.
- Marinade – it’s great to add to BBQ sauce for a more profound and spicier flavor profile
- Condiment – Many use it in place of ketchup on burgers, meatloaves, and other beef dishes
- Sweet & Sour Sauces – It’s a fantastic sauce for cocktail meatballs or my Candied Kielbasa Bites.
How Long Does Homemade Chili Sauce Last?
- Fridge: If you store it in the fridge in a lidded, airtight container, it can last several months
- Counter: store it on the counter in a lidded, airtight container for up to 3 weeks*
- WaterBath Preserve: If you choose to water-bath preserve it, it can last unopened for up to a year.
- Freeze Dry: up to 25 years in a mylar bag
*NOTE: while it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, I strongly advise storing it in the fridge to extend its shelf life and maintain quality.
Homemade Chili Sauce Recipe
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 12 ounces
- Category: sauces, marinades, chili sauce, homemade gifts
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: sauces, marinades, chili sauce, homemade gifts
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tomato paste
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup of water
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- To a bowl, add your ketchup and tomato paste, then give it a light whisk.
- Next, add water and vinegar and whisk to combine.
- Add the seasonings and brown sugar, whisking well to incorporate fully.
- Use immediately or transfer to a lidded jar and store in the fridge.
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