When you prepare your favorite dishes, Pantai Chili Sauce makes everything magically perfect. It is a powerhouse of Thai food. And you will find it in every Thai lover’s house.
You might drizzle it over grilled shrimp, mix it with roasted veggies, whisk it into noodles, or even use it to make salad dressings. It’s not just a condiment; it’s a way to make foods taste great quickly, and anyone will love to use it repeatedly.
But what if you run out of this sauce and guests are coming? Well, you can make it at home in a few minutes. I’ll explain how to make Pantai sweet chili sauce at home in this article.
What Is Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce?
Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce is a Thai-style dipping sauce made with red chili peppers, sugar, garlic, and vinegar. It is sweet and tangy, with enough heat to make things intriguing but not overpowering. The texture is thick and sticky, which makes it ideal for dipping and glazing.
A well-known Thai condiment brand, Panthai, makes this sauce. Norasing is named after the legendary figure Phan Thai Norasing. Thai homes would be incomplete without this sauce in the pantry. It’s mild enough for kids but flavorful enough to stand up to grilled meats, seafood, and crispy fried bites. It is Thailand’s answer to ketchup, except way more fun.
How to Make Pantai-Style Sweet Chili Sauce at Home
Making a homemade version of Pantai-style sweet chili sauce is easier than you might think. You need a few pantry staples and 10 minutes. It’s also an excellent option to adjust the sweetness and spice level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples to make a homemade sweet chili sauce inspired by Pantai. Here’s what each ingredient brings to the table:
Water
Take ½ cup of water. This frames the base of your sauce and helps dissolve the sugar and distribute the flavors evenly.
Rice Vinegar
¼ cup of rice vinegar adds the signature tangy bite. It balances the sweetness and gives the sauce its bright Thai-style flavor. If you don’t have rice vinegar, white vinegar will work, too.
Sugar
This is what gives the sauce its glossy, syrupy sweetness. You can adjust it if you prefer a less sugary version, which is key to that classic Thai flavor. Use ½ cup of this.
Garlic (Minced)
Two cloves of fresh garlic bring warmth and depth. Don’t skip it; this gives the sauce its savory backbone that cuts through the sweetness.
Red Chili Flakes
These bring the heat! You can use one tablespoon or less, depending on how spicy you like it.
Salt
Just ½ teaspoon of salt enhances all the other flavors and prevents the sauce from tasting flat.
Cornstarch and Water
This method thickens the sauce, helping it cling beautifully to spring rolls or grilled meats. Take one tablespoon of this item.
Mixed two tablespoons of water with cornstarch to form a smooth slurry that blends easily into the hot sauce without forming lumps.
Fish Sauce (Optional)
1 teaspoon (for umami, but skip if you’re keeping it vegan)
How to Make It with 5 Simple Steps?
Step 1: Combine the Base
Combine water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili flakes, and salt in a small saucepan. Get everything mixed up.
Step 2: Bring to a Boil
Set the saucepan on medium heat. Stir the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved, then bring to a low boil.
Step 3: Simmer
Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 3–4 minutes. The garlic will soften and infuse the sauce.
Step 4: Thicken It Up
Whisk cornstarch with two tablespoons of water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Gradually pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Finally, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Fridge it for up to 3 weeks in a clean, airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
- As a dipping sauce: for egg rolls, dumplings, shrimp tempura, chicken tenders, or fried tofu.
- Over Grilled Meats: Brush it on grilled chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu as a glaze.
- Stir-Fry Sauce: Add it to stir-fried noodles or veggies for a sweet and spicy punch.
- Burger & Wrap Condiment: Mix it with mayo or use it to jazz up sandwiches.
- Salad Dressing Shortcut: Combine with lime juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil for a quick Thai salad dressing.
- Pizza Drizzle: It’s delicious on thin-crust pizza with veggies or chicken.
7 Pro Tips
- Use fresh garlic instead of powder for a deeper, more authentic flavor.
- Adjust the spice by tweaking the red chili flakes; add more for a fiery kick or reduce for a milder version.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch slurry; it gives the sauce that glossy, clingy texture perfect for dipping or glazing.
- Stir constantly after adding the slurry to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth finish.
- Before storing, let it cool fully to prevent condensation and increase its shelf life.
- Use a glass jar or an airtight container to store it in the fridge; it lasts up to 2 weeks.
- Make it thicker by simmering an extra 1–2 minutes if you want more glaze.
Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 Tbsp Red Chili Flakes
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp Water For Slurry
Instructions
- Combine water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, chili flakes, and salt in a small saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
- Stir together cornstarch and 2 tbsp. water to make a slurry, then add to the saucepan.
- Cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened, glossy, and slightly sticky; then cool and store.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce is one of those condiments that can take ordinary meals to the next level, whether you buy it in a bottle or whip it up in the kitchen.
Its adaptability to different cuisines is due to its exquisite sweet, spicy, and sour flavor harmony. Always have a bottle available for that extra flavor you need, whether you’re topping roasted vegetables or rice.
FAQ’s
What is Pantai’s Sweet Chili Sauce Made of?
Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce is typically made from sugar, red chili (about The ingredients include 14–22% chili, garlic, vinegar (acetic acid), water, salt, and thickening agents such as cornstarch or xanthan gum.
How Spicy is Pantai’s Sweet Chili Sauce?
It’s mildly spicy, with enough chili to warm the palate without burning. This sauce is ideal for children or individuals who are sensitive to spice but still desire a bit of a kick.
The Best Ways to Use Pantai Sweet Chili Sauce in Recipes?
Use it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or chicken tenders, a glaze for grilled meats, a quick stir-fry sauce, or mix it with mayo for sandwiches. It’s also great in salad dressings, or drizzle it over noodles and rice bowls.
