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    You are here: Home / Dish Type / Condiments / DIY Chili Oil

    DIY Chili Oil

    Published: Feb 21, 2019 · Modified: Jan 19, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you buy an item in my links, at no charge to you.

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Number of Servings 36
    DIY Chili Oil - Domestic Dreamboat #hotsauce #chilioil #condiment #glutenfree

    Making your own flavorful chili oil at home is easy! This spicy condiment is great on Chinese foods or to add heat and flavor to any foods.

    DIY Chili Oil - Domestic Dreamboat #hotsauce #chilioil #condiment #glutenfree

    It's no secret that I love hot sauce. I regularly have at least 3 different types stashed around my kitchen, and actually, right now, I have 6. They're all different, and they all serve their own special purpose.

    Included in the 6 is my newest hot sauce obsession, Chili Oil. It's not your typical hot sauce per se, but it's hot, and it's a sauce, so there you go.

    DIY Chili Oil - Domestic Dreamboat #hotsauce #chilioil #condiment #glutenfree

    What is chili oil?

    Chili oil is a spicy condiment that's usually made from oil and crushed chili peppers. The chili flavor infuses into the oil, and the result is a spicy oil that's used to add flavor and heat to foods.

    Chili oil may or may not contain other ingredients to add flavor, such as garlic, shallot, soy sauce or fermented soy beans, and/or spices.

    It is commonly used as an ingredient and condiment in Chinese cooking.

    I had never even tried chili oil until recently, maybe about 4 years ago, and didn't start to truly enjoy it until about 2 years ago. Previously, the few times I had tried it, it was often bland - just chili and oil. Spicy, but really no flavor other than that.

    But my favorite local Chinese restaurant changed my mind. They make their own delicious version - it's salty, savory, a little sweet, and of course, spicy. The tiny bowl they bring is always gone by the end of the meal. I definitely needed to recreate my own to keep on hand at home.

    DIY Chili Oil - Domestic Dreamboat #hotsauce #chilioil #condiment #glutenfree

    How do you make chili oil?

    Making chili oil (at least making GOOD chili oil) is not simply steeping chilis in oil - you need to add other ingredients to add flavor.

    Soy sauce adds salt and umami. Sugar adds sweetness. Garlic, cinnamon, and star anise add more depth of flavor. The result is a thick, spicy paste-like oil that is absolutely delicious smeared on green onion pancakes or tossed with otherwise plain noodles.

    Not a fan of heat? Make sure to use chili flakes or powder that are less spicy - Korean gochugaru would be a great option.

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    Chili Oil Nutrition Notes:

    The above nutrition information uses low sodium soy sauce, which is what I always use at home. It does not include the garlic, cinnamon, or star anise as those are not actually consumed and don't contribute a significant amount of nutrients to the chili oil.

    DIY Chili Oil - Domestic Dreamboat #hotsauce #chilioil #condiment #glutenfree
    5 from 1 vote
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    DIY Chili Oil

    Carissa Serink
    Making your own flavorful chili oil at home couldn't be easier! This spicy condiment is great on Chinese foods or to add heat to any of your favorite foods.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Cooling Time1 hr
    Total Time10 mins
    Servings: 36
    Calories: 36kcal
    Keep your screen on

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup canola oil
    • ⅓ cup chili flakes (see note)
    • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce (see note)
    • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
    • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
    • 1 star anise (optional)
    • ¼ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional)

    Instructions

    • Add oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it measures 300°F on an instant read thermometer. Remove pot from heat and stir in the chili flakes, soy sauce, sugar, salt, garlic, cinnamon, star anise, and peppercorns (if using).
    • Cool mixture completely and remove the garlic, cinnamon, and star anise before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and serve with your favorite foods.

    Notes

    Use Sichuan chili flakes if you can find them.  Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) is a slightly sweeter, less spicy option. You can also use regular old chili or red pepper flakes, and your chili oil will be coarser, as those flakes tend to be larger. I like to use a combination of the three types.
    To make this chili oil gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce or Tamari.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer: I try my best to make sure the nutrition information I provide is accurate to provide you with the best information possible. However, due to ingredient discrepancies and other factors, the above nutrition information should be considered an estimation only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @DomesticDreamboat or tag #DomesticDreamboat!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alleira

      February 21, 2019 at 8:20 am

      Thanks for the recipe! I live in Madison, so I am just curious which is your favorite Chinese restaurant. I haven't found what I think is good Chinese in the midwest yet.

      Reply
      • Carissa

        February 21, 2019 at 12:51 pm

        Thanks for reading! The restaurant I was referring to is Taigu in Middleton. It's just a small place, and they specialize in handmade noodles, which are SO good! My kids also really like their dumplings and green onion pancakes, and my husband and I love the Beef with Pickled Cabbage. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try if you haven't yet 🙂

        Reply

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