Sambal (Chilli Paste

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.

Cooking Method: Stewing

Cuisine: Indonesian

Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 1

Calories: 71.3

Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

1/2 cup Thai chillies; small dried
2 cloves Garlic
1 small Onion; coarsely chopped
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Lemon juice
1/4 cup Water
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Directions

1
Place the dried Thai chilies, garlic cloves, chopped onion, sugar, lemon juice, water, and salt into a blender or food processor.
2
Blend the mixture on high speed until the chilies and onions are finely minced and the ingredients form a coarse, wet paste.
3
Pour the blended mixture into a small saucepan or 1-2 quart pan.
4
Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5
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.
6
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.

Keywords: sambal, chili paste, indonesian, spicy, condiment, dried chilies, garlic, onion, homemade, asian cuisine, hot sauce, vegan, blender, simmer, flavorful, kitchen staple

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/sambal-chilli-paste/

Chefs Mate

Sambal (Chilli Paste

Nutrition Facts