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Recipes by Category » Condiments » Thai Sweet Chili Sauce | Nam Jim Gai

Published: Nov 22, 2021 by Nart · This post may contain affiliate links.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce | Nam Jim Gai

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Known in Thailand as nam jim gai (sometimes spelled nam chim kai), the Thai sweet chili sauce is perfect for fried and grilled foods such as chicken wings, Thai pork toast, Thai spring rolls, and deep-fried meatballs or crispy pork wontons. It calls for very simple ingredients, is super easy to make and ready under 20 minutes!

Thai sweet chili sauce in a ceramic bowl

Why This Recipe Works

Thai sweet red chili sauce is a versatile condiment that takes just minutes to put together. Also, the ingredients required are very simple that chances are you already have them in your pantry! And the bonus is, if you like this sauce hotter than the store-bought version, this is how you can make it happen.

This is one of the best fried food dipping sauces out there. You can enjoy many appetizers, party foods and finger foods such as Thai pork toast with it. Also, it’s great with grilled and roast meat so, be sure to try it with this grilled pork neck or any leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey!

Ingredients You Need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

Ingredient Notes

  • Red Thai chili: Although the green Thai chili tastes the same, never use it to make this dipping sauce because it’s just going to look wrong!
  • Vinegar: You can use a cheap Asian white vinegar here. This is going to help keep the cost low while still making the taste authentic. Plus it won’t affect the color of the sauce.

Step-by-step Instructions

Quick Tip: For efficiency preparing this recipe, rinse the chilis under running water and remove the stems. Then, peel the garlic and measure the rest of the ingredients and set aside.

Once everything is ready to go, the rest of the process should take just about 15-20 minutes!

Step 1: Chop the red Thai chilis and garlic into small pieces so that it is easier to pound.

Step 2: Place the chopped garlic in the mortar and roughly pound (see texture in image above). If you don’t have a set of mortar and pestle or you prefer, you can use a food processor for steps 2-3.

Step 3: Add the chopped chili and pound until you get the same texture as the garlic.

Step 4: Pour the water into the saucepan and put it over medium heat.

Step 5: Add the salt.

Step 6: Add the chili and garlic.

Step 7: Add the sugar.

Step 8: Add the vinegar.

How to make Thai sweet chili sauce (น้ำจิ้มไก่)

Step 9: Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil.

Step 10: Reduce the heat to low and continue to boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

Step 11: Turn off the heat and transfer to a bowl or sterile glass bottle or jar.

FAQs

Thai sweet chili sauce in a spoon over a ceramic bowl

How Long Does Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Last?

A homemade version of Thai sweet chili sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to about 1 month.

Does Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Need To Be Refrigerated?

If you make a large amount for or you’ll be using it after a few days of making, then the sauce should be refrigerated to keep it fresh.

How hot is Thai Sweet Chili Sauce?

As hot as you want! Traditionally, this sauce is supposed to be just mildly hot. But since you’re making this yourself, you can up the amount of chili or even garlic to suit your preference.

Can You Have Thai Sweet Chili Sauce With Western Food?

Of course! We do enjoy grilled chicken, pork and beef with this sauce. So you could have your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey with this sauce. If you feel that it’s too untraditional, then have with the leftovers!

Related Posts

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  • Thai Red Curry Paste
Thai sweet chili sauce in a ceramic bowl

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Known in Thailand as nam jim gai (น้ำจิ้มไก่), the Thai sweet chili sauce is perfect for fried and grilled foods such as chicken wings, Thai spring rolls, and deep-fried meatballs or wontons. It calls for very simple ingredients, is super easy to make and ready under 20 minutes! And if you like this sauce hotter than the store-bought version, this is your chance to make it happen.
5 from 49 votes
Print Pin Rate Text Ingredients to Phone
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Thai
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 338kcal
Author: Nart

Equipment

  • Sauce pan
  • Mortar and pestle or food processor

Ingredients

  • 5 red Thai chilis rinsed and stems removed
  • 1 head garlic peeled
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons vinegar
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Chop the red Thai chilis and garlic into small pieces so that it is easier to pound.
  • Place the chopped garlic in the mortar and roughly pound. If you don’t have a set of mortar and pestle or you prefer, you can use a food processor for steps 2-3.
  • Add the chopped chili and pound until you get the same texture as the garlic.
  • Pour the water into the saucepan and put it over medium heat.
  • Add the salt.
  • Add the chili and garlic.
  • Add the sugar.
  • Add the vinegar.
  • Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low and continue to boil until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and transfer to a bowl or sterile glass bottle or jar.

Video

Notes

  1. Although the green Thai chili tastes the same, if you want to make the sauce look authentic, use the red Thai chili only.
  2. You don’t need to use a fancy vinegar to make this sauce. A cheap Asian white vinegar will do. This is what we use to make this sauce and also the white vinegar won’t affect the color of the sauce.
  3. This Thai sweet chili sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  4. If you’re going to make a large amount of the sauce and store it for many uses, it’s recommended to keep the sauce in a sterilized glass bottle or jar before refrigerating.

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 83gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2336mgPotassium: 166mgFiber: 1gSugar: 73gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingwithnart or tag #cookingwithnart!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kayla DiMaggio says

    November 29, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    5 stars
    Loving how easy this was to make! Way better than store bought!

    Reply
  2. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

    November 28, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce was so simple to make and was absolutely delicious. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy!

    Reply
  3. Stacy says

    November 28, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious. We made this sauce for wing night and it was amazing! Love that I can add more heat for those who like it hot and less for those who don’t.

    Reply
  4. Gwynn says

    November 27, 2021 at 4:32 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is so delicious on vegetables, chicken and more! So versatile!

    Reply
  5. Liz says

    November 26, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce sounds delicious! I love how versatile it can be too! A great sauce to use for various foods!

    Reply
  6. nancy says

    November 23, 2021 at 7:34 am

    5 stars
    the thai chili sauce goes with everything!

    Reply
  7. Dawn Conklin says

    November 23, 2021 at 4:30 am

    5 stars
    Love how easy this is to make and it will be perfect on our chicken tonight! It isn’t too spicy for the family either.

    Reply
  8. Kalin Williams says

    November 22, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    5 stars
    I can think of so many great ways for my family to use this!

    Reply
  9. Natalie says

    November 22, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    I always buy sweet chili sauce in the store. But your sauce sounds so much better. I’m going to make this for sure. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Tavo says

    November 22, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t know it was so easy to make. I tried spring rolls, and it was delicious!

    Reply
  11. Michelle says

    November 22, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    This turned out perfect! So tasty and just the right amount of heat for us. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  12. Maria San Juan says

    November 22, 2021 at 11:00 am

    5 stars
    Something was added to my fried food adventures! Thank you very much for sharing this! Will definitely try!

    Reply
  13. Heather Johnson says

    November 22, 2021 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    love this – it’s my favorite sauce and i really wanted to know how to make it from scratch rather than buy it – thanks!

    Reply

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