Zesty Szechuan Chili Garlic Sauce 🌶️
A zesty and spicy homemade Szechuan Chili Garlic Sauce perfect for adding a kick to any dish. Easily customizable for your preferred level of heat and packed with aromatic flavors.
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender
- Small Saucepan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh red bird's eye chilies (or milder chilies like jalapeños for less heat), stems removed
- 1/3 cup garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or fresh lime juice)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp palm sugar (or coconut sugar, or brown sugar)
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Carefully remove the stems from your fresh red chilies. Pop them into a food processor or blender along with the minced garlic, Szechuan peppercorns, white pepper, rice vinegar, salt, and your chosen sugar (palm, coconut, or brown). Pulse until you get a chunky, vibrant paste.
- Pour your chosen oil (canola, vegetable, olive, or sunflower) into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat for about 2 minutes, aiming for around 350°F (175°C).
- Gently add your chili-garlic paste to the hot oil. Toss in the star anise and cinnamon stick. Lower the heat to low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Watch as the garlic turns a light golden, infusing the oil with incredible aroma.
- Carefully take out the star anise and cinnamon stick. Let your amazing sauce cool completely to room temperature. If you like, stir in the optional sesame seeds while it's still warm. Once cooled, spoon it into a clean, airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator to enjoy for up to 6 weeks!
Notes
Feel free to adjust the chili heat to your preference by using milder chilies like jalapeños. Store in the refrigerator in a clean, airtight container for up to 6 weeks. This sauce is also tagged as #SzechuanSauce #ChiliGarlic #VeganSauce #HomemadeCondiment.
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp serving):
Calories: 137 kcal
Total Carbs: 6g
Net Carbs: 5g
Fats: 13g
Protein: 1g
Calories: 137 kcal
Total Carbs: 6g
Net Carbs: 5g
Fats: 13g
Protein: 1g
