Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

A sweet chilli lime sauce is all about spicy, sweet, and vibrant flavors. The citrusy twist it has for the lemon juice makes it different from other condiments. Since this sauce has a blend of several flavors, people with all taste buds can have it. In fact, you can use this sauce as a glaze and a marinade as well.

I prefer homemade sweet chili lime sauce over the store-bought versions. This allows you to skip any sort of additives and sugar. Also, you can customize the ingredients as per your taste preferences. Like, if you can make it spicier by adding some red pepper, or make it sweeter by adding some more honey. 

However, the recipe guide below will help you get the authentic taste of sweet chilli lime sauce that can perhaps suit all taste buds.

All About Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

A sweet chilli lime sauce is an Asian-inspired chili sauce. It’s a perfect balance of sweetness, spiciness, and tanginess. 

Some versions have lime juice and red peppers, making the sauce spicier. It’s for those who prefer a higher heat level.

This sauce can coat your foods beautifully and enhance their flavors. Grilled chicken, tofu, seafood, and spring rolls can’t be complete without the Thai sweet chili sauce. I am just talking about a few dishes. But the truth is, sweet chilli lime sauce can complement almost all Asian dishes.

Ingredients You Need

All the ingredients for making chili lime dipping sauce are available in our kitchens. Let’s see what they are. 

Sweet Chili Sauce

Use ⅓ cup or 80 ml of sweet chilli sauce for a sweet, spicy base. This one ingredient is enough to balance the sweetness and spiciness of the sauce.

Fresh Lemon Juice

For a bright, citrusy tang, use 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. This, too, will balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor.

Honey

1 tablespoon of honey is enough to give a natural sweetness to your tangy chilli condiment. It will go great with Chili’s heat.

Soy Sauce

Use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for an umami depth. This is going to be an alternative to salt, yet it will make the sauce complex. 

Garlic (Finely Grated)

Use 1 clove of garlic that is finely grated. It will make the sauce savory and give it an aromatic depth.

Fresh Cilantro (Optional)

If you want a herbal brightness, use 1 tablespoon of fresh cilantro.

How To Make Sweet Chili Lime Sauce With 4 Simple Steps?

Here is a complete recipe guide below on homemade chilli lime sauce.

Step 1

First, you have to combine all the base ingredients. Such as lime juice, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and grated garlic. Whisk them thoroughly until they blend well.

Step 2

Add some chopped cilantro and stir the mixture again.

Step 3

Taste a bit of the sauce. See if it needs any adjustments. For example, if it is less salty, you can have some more soy sauce or lime juice. But if it is less sweet, you can add some more honey. 

Step 4

Now you can use the sauce for dipping, glazing, or dressing. Transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Special Tips

To get maximum flavors from your sweet, spicy lime sauce, follow the tips below:

• Always use fresh lime juice, not the bottled kind. Or else you can’t get the best flavor
• If you want more spice levels, add some chili flakes to the sauce. 
• Transfer the sauce into a glass jar to preserve its freshness. 

Best Pairings For Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce

Do try your spicy lime dipping sauce with these dishes at least. Trust me, they make the best pair 

• Grilled shrimp
• Spring rolls
• Egg rolls
• Chicken wings
• Tofu
• Stir-fried vegetables 
• Fish tacos
• Rice bowls
• Dumplings 
• Noodle dishes
• Lettuce wraps

How To Adjust the Flavors of the Sweet Chili Lime Sauce?

In case your zesty chili-lime sauce becomes too spicy, too tangy, or too thick, what will you do? Here are the solutions.

• When it becomes too spicy, add some more lime juice and some sugar to it.
• When it becomes too sweet, add more lime juice for this also.
• In case the sauce turns out too tangy for the lime juice, add some more sweet chilli sauce and a bit of sugar.
• For a thinner consistency, you can add some water to the sauce and mix it.

Conclusion 

Preparing a sweet chilli lime sauce is so easy. Just combine sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic. Mix them, and you are done. The whole process takes only 5 minutes. Isn’t that great? Let’s say, your guests arrive suddenly, and you can’t understand what to prepare for them as dishes. Your solution would be to prepare the sweet chili lime sauce within a few minutes. Trust me, it will impress them and they will ask you about its recipe. 

I suggest always using healthier alternatives while preparing this sauce. Like, use honey instead of sugar, skip sodium benzoate, and so on.

Let us know how you customized your sweet chilli lime sauce and how it tasted!

FAQs

What is Sweet Chili Lime Sauce Made of?

A sweet chili lime sauce is mainly made of sweet chilli sauce, garlic, honey, and lemon juice. Some recipes also have tomatoes, cornstarch, sugar, and vinegar.

Is Sweet Chili Lime Sauce Spicy or Mild?

Sweet chili lime sauce is generally mild. It has a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. But if you want, you can make it spicier or tangier by adding more lemon juice or red pepper flakes. 

How Do You Use Chili Lime Sauce in Meals?

You can use your sweet chili lime glaze as a dipping sauce or a spicy citrus marinade. I prefer it with stir-fries and rice dishes the most.