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    Home ยป Dips, Dressing and Sauces

    Sambal Oelek Chili Paste - An Authentic Recipe

    Published:Jul 21, 2021ยท Modified: Jun 4, 2023 by Keri Bevan

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    Sambal oelek chili paste is so easy to make at home that you'll wonder why you ever bought it in a jar! It only takes 10 minutes to make a big jar of this much loved Indonesian chili paste. Plus, once you know how to make it, you can easily customize it to suit your tastes.

    Sambal oelek chili paste in a jar on a kitchen towel.
    sambal oelek recipe
    Jump to:
    • What Is Sambal Oelek?
    • Sambal Oelek Vs Sriracha
    • ๐Ÿ›’Ingredients
    • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸณInstructions
    • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธHow Can I Use Sambal Oelek?
    • โ†”๏ธSubstitutes For Sambal Oelek
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • Comments

    If you're like me, you probably use Sriracha sauce in everything from dips to stir fries, but have you ever tried sambal oelek? You may have seen at the grocery store. Huy Fong foods is the most popular brand. But, there's no need to buy it pre-bottled when you make it yourself with 3 simple ingredient.

    Let's get started!

    What Is Sambal Oelek?

    Sambal Oelek (pronounced zam-bahl U-lek) is a spicy Indonesian chili paste made from three simple ingredients - chili peppers, rice wine vinegar and salt. It's a particularly popular chili paste in Malaysia where it's used as a condiment and as an ingredient in many dishes.

    Sambal means sauce, and oelek is the bamboo mortar that is traditionally used to grind the the chili peppers. However, in this recipe we are going to use a food processor (or blender) to simplify things.

    The result will be an authentic, fresh chili paste that's far better than anything you could ever buy at Walmart.

    Reasons You'll Love This Recipe

    โœ…You only need 3 simple ingredients to make the perfect chili paste.

    โœ…Homemade sambal oelek doesn't have preservatives or thickeners like the chili sauce you buy at the grocery store.

    โœ…I think that learning how to make your own chili paste is really satisfying!

    โœ…It's much more cost effective to make your own sambal oelek chili paste than to buy a bottled hot sauce.

    Sambal oelek vs Sriracha sauce
    sambal oelek vs Sriracha sauce

    Sambal Oelek Vs Sriracha

    Sambal oelek chili paste and sriracha sauce are both popular condiments with distinct characteristics. Sambal oelek is a traditional Indonesian chili paste made from fresh red chilies, vinegar, and salt. It has a chunky texture and a vibrant, raw chili flavor with intense heat.

    On the other hand, sriracha sauce originated in Thailand and is made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, vinegar, and salt. It has a smooth consistency, a slightly sweet and garlicky taste, and a moderate level of spiciness. While sambal oelek focuses on pure chili heat, sriracha offers a more balanced flavor profile with added sweetness and garlic notes.

    Ingredients you need to make sambal oelek chili paste.
    ingredients

    ๐Ÿ›’Ingredients

    Sambal oelek only requires 3 basic ingredients, which is why it's such a cinch to make fresh.

    • Chili Peppers: For those that can take the heat, Thai chili peppers are the optimal choice. These are hot,hot,hot... so feel free to substitute any chili pepper that you prefer. Red serranos and fresno chilis will dial the heat back a little.
    • Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice wine vinegar is milder and sweeter than white vinegar, so it's the perfect vinegar for an authentic sambal oelek recipe. However, if you don't have any on hand, it's fine to substitute white vinegar.
    • Salt: Regular table salt is the right choice here.
    Chili peppers in a food processor.
    how to make your own sambal oelek

    ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸณInstructions

    1. Cut the stems off your chili peppers, but leave the seed in. Chop them into piece and put them in your food processor or blender.
    2. Pulse until the peppers are ground to a fine paste, scraping the sides down periodically.
    3. Add the salt and vinegar and pulse again until everything is well combined.
    4. That's it!! You have just made an authentic sambal oelek chili paste!! See below for ideas on how to use it in your everyday cooking.

    ๐Ÿฝ๏ธHow Can I Use Sambal Oelek?

    • Swirl it into soups for a spicy kick. It's particularly good in my sweet potato lentil soup.
    • Add it to dips for an explosion of flavor. Try adding it to hummus or ful madame.
    • Ready to kick your vegan Bolognese up a notch? Try adding sambal oelek to my slow cooker lentil Bolognese.
    • Spice up your breakfast by adding some chili paste to this tofu scramble by Vegan Family Kitchen.
    • Serve it as a spicy side to my popular garlic truffle fries.
    • Use it as a spicy sauce for your breakfast omelette.
    • Sambal oelek is a great sauce to serve with noodle dishes.

    Do you have another great way you like to use sambal oelek? Let me know in the comments below! Your feedback helps other Daily Dish readers.

    Sambal oelek chili pepper paste in a jar with a spoon in it.
    sambal oelek chili paste

    Did You Make This Recipe?

    If so, I'd love to see it! Tag @thisdailydish on Instagram. It also helps me and other readers if you leave your suggestions and feedback in the comments below.

    A shop with all kinds of sauces.
    sambal oelek chili paste substitutes

    โ†”๏ธSubstitutes For Sambal Oelek

    1. Sriracha Sauce: Sriracha is a popular chili sauce that can be used as a substitute for sambal oelek. It has a similar heat level and adds a tangy flavor to dishes.
    2. Red Pepper Flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes can be used to add heat and spice to your dishes. You can adjust the amount according to your desired level of spiciness. You won't get the tanginess that you get with sambal oelek, but red pepper flakes will give you the heat.
    3. Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper powder is another option if you're looking for a substitute. It has a similar heat level to sambal oelek and can be used in marinades, sauces, or stir-fries.
    4. Hot Sauce: Any hot sauce that you enjoy can be used as a substitute for sambal oelek. Tabasco sauce, Louisiana-style hot sauce, or any other variety can add heat and flavor to your dishes.
    5. Harissa Paste: Harissa is a North African chili paste made from roasted red peppers, spices, and garlic. It has a complex flavor profile and can be used as a substitute for sambal oelek.
    6. Gochujang: Gochujang is a Korean chili paste made from fermented soybeans, red chili peppers, and glutinous rice. It has a thick consistency and a unique sweet and spicy flavor that can work well as a substitute for sambal oelek. Check out gochujang in action with my gochujang noodles.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is sambal oelek different to Sriracha sauce?

    Sambal oelek is a thicker, chunkier paste than sriracha sauce. Sriracha sauce is made using garlic and sugar, which means that it has a somewhat more subdued flavor with notes of garlic.

    Is sambal oelek more spicy than sriracha?

    Yes, sambal oelek is generally considered to be hotter and spicier than sriracha sauce. Sambal oelek is made primarily from chili peppers, whereas sriracha sauce has additional ingredients like sugar and vinegar, which mellow out the heat.

    How long can I store sambal oelek for?

    Sambal oelek can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an extended period of time, typically up to 1 year. However, its spiciness and flavor may gradually diminish over time. To maintain its quality, I recommend checking for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, texture, or odor, before using it.

    Can I freeze sambal oelek?

    Sure, I suggest freezing it in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and transfer them to an airtight container. That way, you have small portions ready to be added to dishes at a moment's notice!

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    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Sambal oelek chili paste in a jar with a spoon.

    Sambal Oelek Chili Paste

    Keri Bevan
    This is an authentic sambal oelek chili paste recipe. You only need three simple ingredients and 10 minutes to make a chili sauce to rival anything you can buy in a jar.
    4.87 from 112 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course dips
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 1 8 oz jar
    Calories 30 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ยฝ pound chili peppers *Thai chili peppers are preferred, but not required.
    • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
    • ยฝ tablespoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the stems of the chili peppers and chop into ยฝ inch pieces
    • Transfer the chili peppers to a food processor or blender and pulse until a smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides occasionally.
    • Add the vinegar and salt and blend until well combined.
    • Transfer the chili paste to a jar or airtight container and store in the fridge.

    Notes

    To store sambal oelek, transfer it to a clean, airtight container. Ensure that the container is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from entering. Store it in the refrigerator at a consistent temperature of 40ยฐF (4ยฐC) or below. This will help maintain its freshness and quality for an extended period.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2403IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword sambal oelek chili paste, sambal oelek recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David Bruno

      September 13, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      Had a crazy good year with peppers. Just made some of this with mostly bird's eye plus some Tabasco peppers. Added some garlic and lime. Compared it side-by-side to store bought; Threw away the store-bought!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        September 13, 2023 at 9:05 pm

        Hi David, That's excellent news! Thank you for letting me know.

        Reply
    2. Gwen

      September 11, 2023 at 11:50 pm

      Can this be canned?

      Reply
    3. Colby Dees

      August 03, 2023 at 8:11 pm

      Do you prefer seasoned or unseasoned rice vinegar? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        August 03, 2023 at 9:17 pm

        Hi Colby, I use unseasoned, but seasoned would work as well!

        Reply
    4. Cherlyn koehler

      June 20, 2023 at 9:30 pm

      Iโ€™m in San Antonio and there is no sauce to be bought anywhere
      They say thereโ€™s a shortage in Mexico
      I plan to try this

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        June 20, 2023 at 11:08 pm

        I think you'll like it even more than store bought sauces and it's super easy to make!

        Reply
    5. Kari

      May 31, 2023 at 10:29 pm

      Can this be made with dried chilis?

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        June 03, 2023 at 8:11 pm

        Hi Kari, I'm sorry, but this recipe really needs fresh chilis. It's worth getting some! x

        Reply
    6. Nancy

      October 15, 2022 at 4:30 am

      5 stars
      Omg Keri , Sambal oelek chili is one of my all time favorite sauces. Now to make it at home is so easy with your tips! Thanks

      Reply
    7. Karen

      October 14, 2022 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      Wow I had no idea how easy it was to make this at home! I made exactly as instructed and it turned out perfect. I doubled the batch since the blog post said it will last long in the fridge and am already planning SO MANY recipes to use it with! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        October 16, 2022 at 10:28 am

        Hi Karen, so glad you liked it. It's so easy and satisfying to make yourself.x

        Reply
    8. Sunrita

      October 13, 2022 at 8:09 pm

      5 stars
      I have been looking for a good sambal oelek recipe for some time now and this one hits all the right spots. Thanks for the simple instructions.

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        October 13, 2022 at 8:23 pm

        Hi Sunrita, and it's so easy to make! Thank you for your comment.x

        Reply
    9. Zhen

      October 08, 2022 at 1:40 am

      5 stars
      so easy but so good!

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        October 08, 2022 at 11:49 am

        Thank you Zhen! Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    10. megane

      September 15, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      So good and it was exactly what i was after. Thanks so much for all your great recipes Keri.

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        September 15, 2022 at 6:55 pm

        Thank you Megane! That makes my day!

        Reply
    11. Jerika

      September 15, 2022 at 9:06 am

      Wow! can't wait to try this Sambal oelek chili paste at home. Looks so good.:) I love that you can easily customized it. Thanks!:)

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        September 15, 2022 at 6:56 pm

        Hi Jerika, You can! I love to make template recipes that can be customized. x

        Reply
    12. Swathi

      September 15, 2022 at 3:59 am

      5 stars
      Sambal oelek is one of my favorite paste which I like to use it in everything. thanks for the homemade version.

      Reply
    13. Linda

      September 14, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      I can't believe I can make this at home now! I took your suggestion to add a little garlic and it was fantastic!

      Reply
    14. Debra

      September 14, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy to make and I've been adding it to so many dishes to give them a tasty boost. We love it!

      Reply
    15. Angela

      September 14, 2022 at 11:39 am

      I love this chili paste! And it is really easy to prepare! thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        September 15, 2022 at 6:57 pm

        Hi Anglea, Glad you liked it! Thanks so much for your feedback. x

        Reply
    16. Jaden

      March 25, 2022 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      This is the Sumbal recipe Iโ€™m after. Simple and tasty especially, when you donโ€™t like shrimp paste in your Sumbal. thank you for this recipe.

      Reply
      • Keri Bevan

        March 25, 2022 at 2:14 pm

        Hi Jaden, Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply

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    Welcome!

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