Sambal Oelek is a hot chili paste that makes a wonderful spicy condiment for most Asian or Asian-inspired recipes! This copycat recipe can be made with Thai chilis, Fresno chilis, or red serrano peppers depending on how hot you like it. It tastes just like the real thing, but without all of the preservatives!
Copycat Sambal Oelek Recipe
Sambal Oelek red chili paste can be used for anything from seasoning noodle dishes to adding heat to stir-fries! It’s a great condiment to have on hand, especially if you enjoy cooking Asian cuisine.
You only need a few ingredients and about 5 minutes of time to make chili paste from scratch. Once you give it a taste, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try it sooner!
What Is Sambal Oelek
Sambal Oelek is an Indonesian red chili paste made with raw hot red chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. The traditional recipe is really that simple and is typically made with very few ingredients.
The Sambal Oelek many of us are familiar with today comes in a jar that can be found on the Asian food aisle at the grocery store. These recipes sometimes contain additional ingredients and preservatives, that’s why making it at home with fresh ingredients is the way to go!
🥘 Sambal Oelek Ingredients
Truthfully, you only need 3 ingredients to make chili paste from scratch. Some variations of Sambal Olek may include garlic, lime juice, and other ingredients (which I like to include from time to time), but the classic recipe is simply chilis, vinegar, and salt.
- Red Chilis - 1 pound of red chilis. Thai chilis are traditional, or Fresno chilis, or red serranos.Rice Vinegar - 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar.Salt - 1 tablespoon of salt.Garlic Cloves (optional) - 2 garlic cloves.Lime Juice (optional) - 1 teaspoon of lime juice, fresh is best.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
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🔪 How To Make Sambel Oelek
You don’t have to cook a thing to make chili paste at home! You’ll need either a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle, as well as a silicone spatula.
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This recipe makes 2 cups of Sambal Oelek and you can add a little or a lot to your favorite dishes depending on how hot you like things!
- Dice the chilis. Remove the stems from 1 pound of red chili peppers and dice them up seeds and all.Blend. Add the diced chilis, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of salt (as well as 2 garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of lime juice if using) to a food processor or blender. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides occasionally and pulse or blend until smooth paste forms.Refrigerate. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Try adding this homemade chili paste to drunken noodles or pork belly ramen! It also adds a punch of flavor to chicken stir-fries and soups! Enjoy!
💭 Angela’s Tips & Recipe Notes
- For the closest chili paste to Sambal Oelek, use Thai chilis. However, these are very hot! So if you don’t like things super spicy, try using Fresno chilis, red serranos, or red jalapenos. You could also use cayenne peppers, but again, hot!To add a little sweetness to the heat, try mixing in ¾ tablespoons of palm sugar or brown sugar.For a richer depth of flavor, you can wok fry the chilis and/or garlic in a bit of oil for a few minutes before blending them.In place of a food processor or blender, a mortar and pestle can also be used to make this chili paste.
🥡 Storing
Keep your homemade Sambal Oelek in an airtight container in the fridge. The vinegar will keep it fresh for up to 3 months.
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Are Sambal Oelek And Sriracha The Same Thing? Though similar, Sambal Oelek is less processed than Sriracha because of its short ingredient list. Sriracha also includes a small amount of sugar, which is not typical for Indonesian chili paste. How Long Does Homemade Sambal Oelek Last? When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade chili paste can last for a month or two. The salt and vinegar help keep the chilis fresh for longer. Can I Freeze Sambal Oelek Chili Paste? To freeze your chili paste, you can put it into small airtight containers or an ice cube tray for easy-to-grab portions. It will freeze well for 3-4 months.
😋 More DIY Condiments
- Big Mac Sauce - A perfect copycat of Mcdonald’s signature burger sauce.Red Wine Reduction Sauce - This rich and tangy sauce is the perfect thing for dressing up steaks and roasts.Cajun Dipping Sauce - A creamy and zesty sauce that is perfect for french fries, chicken, alligator, shrimp, and so much more!Sweet and Sour Sauce - Get the same great sweet and tangy flavor as your favorite takeout restaurant from the comfort of your own home!Hawaiian BBQ Sauce - This teriyaki-style BBQ sauce made with pineapple juice is a great addition to grilled chicken or shrimp!Cheese Sauce for Broccoli - Even the kids will want to eat their broccoli when it’s covered in this creamy cheese sauce!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📋 Recipe
Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 2 reviews
Sambal Oelek
Sambal Oelek is a hot chili paste that makes a wonderful spicy condiment for most Asian or Asian-inspired recipes! This copycat recipe can be made with Thai chilis, Fresno chilis, or red serrano peppers depending on how hot you like it. It tastes just like the real thing, but without all of the preservatives!
Author | Angela
Servings: 2 cups Calories: 99kcal Prep 5 minutes Cooking 0 minutes Total Time 5 minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 1 lb red chilis (Thai chilis, Fresno chilis, or red serranos)▢ 2 tablespoon rice vinegar▢ 1 tablespoon salt▢ 2 garlic cloves (optional)▢ 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
InstructionsRemove the stems from your chili peppers and dice them up seeds and all.1 lb red chilisAdd the diced chilis, vinegar, and salt (as well as the garlic and lime juice if using) to a food processor or blender. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides occasionally and pulse or blend until smooth paste forms.2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon lime juiceTransfer to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator until needed. Equipment You May Needfood processorBlender or Food Processor (optional for smoother consistency)Mortar and Pestle Notes*Nutritional values are for 2 full cups of chili paste, not per serving.
For the closest chili paste to Sambal Oelek, use Thai chilis. However, these are very hot! So if you don’t like things super spicy, try using Fresno chilis, red serranos, or red jalapenos. You could also use cayenne peppers, but again, hot! To add a little sweetness to the heat, try mixing in ¾ tablespoon of palm sugar or brown sugar. For a richer depth of flavor, you can wok fry the chilis and/or garlic in a bit of oil for a few minutes before blending them. In place of a food processor or blender, a mortar and pestle can also be used to make this chili paste. To store: Keep your homemade Sambal Oelek in an airtight container in the fridge. The vinegar will keep it fresh for up to 1 month.
NutritionCalories: 99kcal (5%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 0.1g (1%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3510mg (153%) | Potassium: 746mg (21%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 12g (13%) | Vitamin A: 2161IU (43%) | Vitamin C: 328mg (398%) | Calcium: 41mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%) Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love! chili paste, copycat sambal oelek recipe, homemade chili paste, homemade sambal oelek, sambal oelek, sambal oelek chili paste Course Condiments, Copycat RecipesCuisine American, Indonesian
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/
Though similar, Sambal Oelek is less processed than Sriracha because of its short ingredient list. Sriracha also includes a small amount of sugar, which is not typical for Indonesian chili paste.
How Long Does Homemade Sambal Oelek Last? When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade chili paste can last for a month or two. The salt and vinegar help keep the chilis fresh for longer.
Can I Freeze Sambal Oelek Chili Paste? To freeze your chili paste, you can put it into small airtight containers or an ice cube tray for easy-to-grab portions. It will freeze well for 3-4 months.
When stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade chili paste can last for a month or two. The salt and vinegar help keep the chilis fresh for longer.
To freeze your chili paste, you can put it into small airtight containers or an ice cube tray for easy-to-grab portions. It will freeze well for 3-4 months.
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 2 reviews
Sambal Oelek
Author | Angela
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 99kcal
Prep 5 minutes
Cooking 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 1 lb red chilis (Thai chilis, Fresno chilis, or red serranos)▢ 2 tablespoon rice vinegar▢ 1 tablespoon salt▢ 2 garlic cloves (optional)▢ 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
InstructionsRemove the stems from your chili peppers and dice them up seeds and all.1 lb red chilisAdd the diced chilis, vinegar, and salt (as well as the garlic and lime juice if using) to a food processor or blender. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides occasionally and pulse or blend until smooth paste forms.2 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon lime juiceTransfer to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Equipment You May Needfood processorBlender or Food Processor (optional for smoother consistency)Mortar and Pestle
Notes*Nutritional values are for 2 full cups of chili paste, not per serving.
For the closest chili paste to Sambal Oelek, use Thai chilis. However, these are very hot! So if you don’t like things super spicy, try using Fresno chilis, red serranos, or red jalapenos. You could also use cayenne peppers, but again, hot! To add a little sweetness to the heat, try mixing in ¾ tablespoon of palm sugar or brown sugar. For a richer depth of flavor, you can wok fry the chilis and/or garlic in a bit of oil for a few minutes before blending them. In place of a food processor or blender, a mortar and pestle can also be used to make this chili paste. To store: Keep your homemade Sambal Oelek in an airtight container in the fridge. The vinegar will keep it fresh for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
Calories: 99kcal (5%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 0.1g (1%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3510mg (153%) | Potassium: 746mg (21%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 12g (13%) | Vitamin A: 2161IU (43%) | Vitamin C: 328mg (398%) | Calcium: 41mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Condiments, Copycat RecipesCuisine American, Indonesian
US CustomaryMetric
- For the closest chili paste to Sambal Oelek, use Thai chilis. However, these are very hot! So if you don’t like things super spicy, try using Fresno chilis, red serranos, or red jalapenos. You could also use cayenne peppers, but again, hot!
- To add a little sweetness to the heat, try mixing in ¾ tablespoon of palm sugar or brown sugar.
- For a richer depth of flavor, you can wok fry the chilis and/or garlic in a bit of oil for a few minutes before blending them.
- In place of a food processor or blender, a mortar and pestle can also be used to make this chili paste.
- To store: Keep your homemade Sambal Oelek in an airtight container in the fridge. The vinegar will keep it fresh for up to 1 month.
