Learn how to make keto sweet chili sauce at home and forget the high-sugar versions at the store!
No need to go without sweet chili sauce when eating some of your favorite dishes like keto coconut shrimp or keto chicken tenders! This low-carb sweet chili sauce, adapted from Beth at Budget Bytes, tastes just as yummy as the high-sugar versions at the store, but it's sugar-free and low in carbs (less than 1 net carb per serving).
This sauce is one of our favorite Asian dipping sauces since it's sweet, spicy, tangy and so easy to make. It uses just handful of ingredients and can be made in about 10 minutes!
What is Sweet Chili Sauce?
Sweet chili sauce, also know as Sweet Thai chili sauce, is a popular condiment in Thailand and other Asian countries. It's typically made with red chili peppers, rice vinegar and a sweetener. Sometimes it includes fish sauce or garlic.
Key Ingredients
A few notes on key ingredients:
- Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is a must for this sauce!
- Erythritol: We use Swerve as a sweetener in this sauce, but you can use an alternative sugar-free sweetener if preferred.
- Sambal oelek: Although red chili peppers are typically used in sweet chili sauce, Sambal is a shortcut ingredient that works so well. We use it in many dishes and sauces since it's low in carbs and sugar.
- Xanthan gum: You'll need to use xanthan gum to thicken the sauce or else it will be runny. Just a little goes a long way.
How to Make
Step 1: Stir together xanthan gum and water. The xanthan gum will clump together, which is normal at this point. Let sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir and smash clumps until there are minimal chunks of xanthan gum (they will break down even further in next step).
Step 2: In a small pot over medium heat, add water, rice vinegar, erythritol and sambal oelek. Stir until combined and erythritol has dissolved. After xanthan gum has thickened, use a whisk to whisk it vigorously into sauce until thoroughly combined and no chunks remain.
What to Serve With It
We use this as dipping sauce, but you could also use as a topping on fish or chicken
As a dipping sauce, it goes well with coconut shrimp, chicken tenders, chicken wings, crab, parmesan fries, and other crispy or roasted veggies.
Recipe FAQ
A typical, store-bought sweet chili sauce is between 15 to 20 grams of net carbs per two tablespoons. Our sugar-free, keto sauce is less than 1 net carb per two tablespoons.
Sambal is a spicy chili sauce that originates from Indonesia. It's somewhat similar to Sriracha or other Asian chili sauces/pastes, but it has no added sugar. Because of this, we prefer to use this chili sauce in low-carb and keto recipes.
You can store the sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe
Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup Swerve Sweetener, granular
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
Instructions
- Prepare sauce thickener: Stir together xanthan gum and water. The xanthan gum will clump together, which is normal at this point. Let sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir and smash clumps until there are minimal chunks of xanthan gum (they will break down even further in next step).
- Make sauce: In a small pot over medium heat, add water, rice vinegar, erythritol and sambal oelek. Stir until combined and erythritol has dissolved. After xanthan gum has thickened, use a whisk to whisk it vigorously into sauce until thoroughly combined and no chunks remain. Serve immediately.
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