🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sweet Chili Sauce Substitute: for Every Recipe Guide

Find the perfect sweet chili sauce substitute for any recipe. Learn about Thai sweet chili sauce alternatives, non-spicy options, and brand-specific substitutes with proper ratios and techniques.

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Quick Answer

The best sweet chili sauce substitutes are sriracha with sugar (1:1 ratio), hot sauce with honey, or homemade blend of chili peppers, sugar, and vinegar. For Thai recipes, use sriracha with extra sugar. For non-spicy versions, use ketchup with vinegar and sugar.

Best Substitutes

Sriracha + Sugar

1:1 + 1-2 tbsp sugar per 1/4 cup

Hot sauce with added sweetness to perfectly mimic sweet chili sauce flavor and heat level.

Best for:

Thai dishesstir-friesmarinadesdipping sauceswhen you want similar heat

Most popular substitute. Start with 1:1 ratio and add sugar gradually until desired sweetness. Works great for Thai sweet chili sauce recipes.

Hot Sauce + Honey

1:1 + 2-3 tbsp honey per 1/4 cup

Hot sauce with natural sweetness from honey for a more complex flavor profile.

Best for:

cookingmarinadesdipswhen you want natural sweetnessAsian fusion dishes

Natural sweetness from honey adds depth. Adjust honey amount based on hot sauce heat level. Great for HelloFresh and Trader Joe's recipes.

Ketchup + Vinegar + Sugar

1/2 cup ketchup + 2 tbsp vinegar + 1-2 tbsp sugar

Non-spicy alternative that mimics the sweet and tangy profile of sweet chili sauce without heat.

Best for:

non-spicy recipeskids' mealswhen you want sweetness without heatemergency substitutes

Perfect for non-spicy substitute requests. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want minimal heat. Great base for homemade sweet chili sauce.

Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

1:1

Custom blend of red chili peppers, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch for authentic flavor and texture.

Best for:

all useswhen you want to control ingredientsfresh flavorcustomizing heat level

Most authentic substitute. Blend 1 cup red chili peppers with 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 tbsp cornstarch. Simmer until thickened. Can be made mild or spicy.

Chili Garlic Sauce + Sugar

1:1 + 1-2 tbsp sugar per 1/4 cup

Chili sauce with added sweetness and garlic flavor, perfect for Asian and Thai cooking.

Best for:

Thai dishesAsian cookingwhen you want garlic flavorstir-fries

Adds garlic complexity to the sweet-spicy profile. Adjust sugar to taste. Excellent for Thai sweet chili sauce and Asian sweet chili sauce recipes.

Sambal Oelek + Sugar + Vinegar

1:1 + 1 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vinegar per 1/4 cup

Indonesian chili paste with added sweetness and acidity to match sweet chili sauce profile.

Best for:

Asian disheswhen you want authentic Asian heatIndonesian and Thai cooking

Pure chili heat with added sweetness. Adjust sugar and vinegar to balance the heat. Great for Asian sweet chili sauce substitutes.

Hoisin Sauce + Hot Sauce

2:1 hoisin to hot sauce

Sweet and savory sauce with added heat for a complex flavor profile similar to sweet chili sauce.

Best for:

Asian cookingwhen you want complex flavorsmarinadesglazes

Different flavor profile but similar sweetness and consistency. Add hot sauce gradually to achieve desired heat level.

Barbecue Sauce + Hot Sauce

2:1 barbecue to hot sauce

Sweet and tangy sauce with added heat for a unique but effective substitute.

Best for:

cookingmarinadeswhen you want smoky sweetnessfusion dishes

Different flavor profile with smoky notes. Works well in a pinch. Adjust hot sauce amount for desired heat level.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For Thai sweet chili sauce, use sriracha with extra sugar (2-3 tbsp per 1/4 cup) to match the sweetness level
  • 💡When making non-spicy substitutes, use ketchup as base and add vinegar and sugar for the sweet-tangy profile
  • 💡For Asian sweet chili sauce, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or fish sauce for umami depth
  • 💡HelloFresh and Trader Joe's recipes often work well with sriracha + honey combinations
  • 💡Mae Ploy brand substitutes work best with homemade versions or sriracha + sugar combinations
  • 💡For sambal oelek substitutes, always add sugar and vinegar to balance the pure chili heat
  • 💡Store homemade sweet chili sauce in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks
  • 💡Taste and adjust sweetness gradually - it's easier to add more sugar than to fix overly sweet sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce?

For Thai sweet chili sauce, use sriracha with extra sugar (2-3 tbsp per 1/4 cup) or make homemade with red chili peppers, sugar, and vinegar. This matches the authentic Thai sweetness and heat level.

Can I substitute sweet chili sauce for sriracha?

Yes, but you'll need to add sweetness. Mix sriracha with sugar or honey (1-2 tbsp per 1/4 cup) to match sweet chili sauce's sweet-spicy profile. The heat level will be similar but you'll get the sweetness.

What's a good non-spicy substitute for sweet chili sauce?

For non-spicy versions, use ketchup with vinegar and sugar (1/2 cup ketchup + 2 tbsp vinegar + 1-2 tbsp sugar). This gives you the sweet-tangy profile without any heat. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want minimal spice.

How do I substitute sweet chili sauce in HelloFresh recipes?

HelloFresh recipes work well with sriracha + honey (1:1 ratio with 2-3 tbsp honey per 1/4 cup) or hot sauce + honey combinations. These maintain the sweet-spicy balance needed for most HelloFresh dishes.

What's the difference between sweet chili sauce and regular chili sauce?

Sweet chili sauce has added sugar or sweeteners, making it sweet and spicy with a syrupy consistency. Regular chili sauce is primarily spicy with less sweetness and often a thinner texture.

Can I use ketchup as a sweet chili sauce substitute?

Yes, ketchup can work as a base for non-spicy sweet chili sauce. Mix ketchup with vinegar and sugar (1/2 cup ketchup + 2 tbsp vinegar + 1-2 tbsp sugar) for a sweet-tangy profile without heat.

How do I make sweet chili sauce from scratch?

Blend 1 cup red chili peppers with 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Simmer until thickened. Adjust sugar for sweetness and chili amount for heat level. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

What's the best Trader Joe's sweet chili sauce substitute?

For Trader Joe's recipes, use sriracha + honey (1:1 with 2-3 tbsp honey per 1/4 cup) or hot sauce + honey combinations. These work well with Trader Joe's cooking style and ingredient combinations.

Summary

Find the perfect sweet chili sauce substitute for any recipe. Learn about Thai sweet chili sauce alternatives, non-spicy options, and brand-specific substitutes with proper ratios and techniques.