Instructions
1. **Combine & Simmer:** In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, white vinegar, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
2. **Add Aromatics:** Stir in the minced ginger, minced garlic, and minced red chilies. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
3. **Thicken the Sauce:** Give your cornstarch slurry a quick whisk to ensure there are no lumps. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. **Season & Finish:** Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the salt and, if using, the fish sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add a pinch more sugar for sweetness, a dash more vinegar for tang, or more chili for heat.
5. **Cool & Store:** Allow the sweet chili sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator.
Short Tips
* **Heat Control:** For a milder sauce, use fewer chilies and remove the seeds. For extra heat, add more chilies and leave the seeds in. You can also use chili flakes if fresh chilies aren’t available (about 1-2 teaspoons).
* **Consistency:** The sauce will thicken more as it cools. If it becomes too thick in the refrigerator, you can thin it out a little by stirring in a small amount of warm water before serving. If it’s too thin, you can gently reheat it and add a tiny bit more cornstarch slurry (make sure it’s mixed well with cold water first!).
* **Flavor Boost:** A dash of fish sauce adds a wonderful depth of umami to balance the sweet and tangy flavors. Don’t skip it if you have it!
* **Storage:** Your homemade sweet chili sauce will last for up to 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.
* **Serving Suggestions:** This sauce is incredibly versatile! Serve it with spring rolls, egg rolls, chicken wings, grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or even as a dipping sauce for fries or nuggets. It’s also fantastic stirred into a noodle dish or used as a marinade.
