Homemade Sambal Oelek
Spice up your kitchen with this bold and fiery **Homemade Sambal Oelek**, a versatile Indonesian chili paste that’s made fresh in just 15 minutes! Featuring vibrant red chilies (bird’s eye or long red preferred), garlic, white vinegar, and a touch of sugar, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of heat, tang, and subtle sweetness. Its coarse, rustic texture offers a more authentic flavor compared to store-bought versions, and it’s incredibly simple to make with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Whether used as a condiment, a sauce base, or a zesty stir-in for noodles and soups, this sambal oelek is your one-stop ticket to elevating your favorite dishes with a punch of heat. Plus, it’s refrigerator-friendly, staying fresh for up to two weeks. Perfect for chili enthusiasts seeking homemade heat!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams red chilies (preferably bird's eye or long red chilies)
- 2 pieces fresh garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Rinse the red chilies under cold water and pat them dry. Remove the stems. If you prefer less heat, you can also remove the seeds, but this is optional.
Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.
In a food processor or blender, combine the red chilies, garlic, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water. Blend until the mixture becomes a coarse paste. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Transfer the chili paste to a small saucepan and place it over medium heat.
Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it slightly thickens and the flavors meld together. Be careful not to overcook or let it burn.
Let the sambal oelek cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container or jar.
Store in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 weeks. Enjoy it as a condiment, sauce base, or stir-in for noodles, soups, or rice dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
120 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.9 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 333 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.3 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.2 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.9 g | ||
| Protein | 4.6 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 92 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 1506 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
