This traditional sambal paste is a vibrant, spicy condiment essential to Southeast Asian cuisine. Made with dried Thai chilies, garlic, onion, and a balance of sweet sugar and tangy lemon juice, it delivers a complex flavor profile that is both fiery and savory. The cooking process reduces the mixture into a thick, intense paste that clings beautifully to rice, grilled meats, or fried foods. Perfect for adding a kick to stir-fries, curries, or simple noodle dishes, this versatile sauce brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen. Store it in the fridge for extended use.
Sambal (Chilli Paste
Description
This traditional sambal paste is a vibrant, spicy condiment essential to Southeast Asian cuisine. Made with dried Thai chilies, garlic, onion, and a balance of sweet sugar and tangy lemon juice, it delivers a complex flavor profile that is both fiery and savory. The cooking process reduces the mixture into a thick, intense paste that clings beautifully to rice, grilled meats, or fried foods. Perfect for adding a kick to stir-fries, curries, or simple noodle dishes, this versatile sauce brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen. Store it in the fridge for extended use.Ingredients
Directions
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Place the dried Thai chilies, garlic cloves, chopped onion, sugar, lemon juice, water, and salt into a blender or food processor.
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Blend the mixture on high speed until the chilies and onions are finely minced and the ingredients form a coarse, wet paste.
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Pour the blended mixture into a small saucepan or 1-2 quart pan.
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Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
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Cook the sambal, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the liquid reduces and the paste thickens to about 1/2 cup, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
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Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before serving or storing.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 71.3kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.1g1%
- Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 2438.8mg102%
- Total Carbohydrate 18.4g7%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 16.4g
- Protein 0.3g1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Sambal is a versatile condiment in Indonesian cuisine, similar to how salsa is used in Mexican cooking. It pairs excellently with rice, fried chicken, tofu, or fish.
Storage: Allow the sambal to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavors will deepen over time.
Heat Level: Dried Thai chilies can be quite spicy. If you prefer a milder paste, remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies before blending.
Variation: For a smoother texture, blend the mixture longer or push it through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking.
