This vegan sweet chili sauce makes the perfect dipping sauce for spring rolls, summer rolls, tofu, and vegan chicken wings. It’s sweet, spicy, and bursting with flavor which makes just about every dish better.

A tofu spring roll being dipped into sweet chili sauce.

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get more amazing vegan recipes that will satisfy your cravings!

Save Recipe

Why make this recipe

Sweet Thai chili sauce is a must-have for dipping my tofu spring rolls, fried tofu, or fried cauliflower nuggets! It adds a sweet, savory, and spicy twist to vegan chicken wings too!

You can find this sauce premade in most grocery stores, but when you see how easy it is to make your own, you will never need to buy this condiment again.

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Water – for the correct consistency.
  • Rice Vinegar – for flavor. Seasoned rice vinegar will give you the best flavor, but you can also use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  • Vegan Sugar – to sweeten the sauce. You can also use agave nectar, maple syrup, or any other sweetener that you wish.
  • Chili Garlic Sauce – to give the sauce flavor and make it spicy. You can use sriracha instead or omit it and double the garlic and red pepper flakes.
  • Cornstarch – to thicken the sauce a little. You can also use potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot powder instead.
  • Red Pepper Flakes – or crushed red chilies add a little extra color and spice. (optional) You can also use sambal oelek instead of chili pepper flakes.
  • Salt – Just a dash for flavor.

Helpful tools

  • A Small Saucepan – for heat the homemade sweet chili sauce.
Vegan summer rolls on a blue plate with sweet chili dipping sauce on the side.

How to make Thai sweet chili sauce

Step 1 – Add the water, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt to a small saucepan.

Step 2 – Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for about 1 minute stirring constantly with a whisk until all sugar is dissolved and the sauce becomes thicker and less cloudy.

Step 3 – Turn off the heat and allow it to cool. (It will thicken as it cools.) Place in a small bowl for dipping or store in a glass jar for later.

Pro Tips

  • Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding slightly more or slightly less cornstarch.
  • Be sure to add the cornstarch to the pan before turning on the heat. It will not dissolve correctly in hot liquid.
  • You can omit the cornstarch and use it as a salad dressing too.
  • Add more or less chili to adjust the desired spice levels.
A top view of a bowl of sweet Thai chili dipping sauce next to summer rolls.
Tofu spring rolls with sweet chili dipping sauce.

How to use this sauce?

Use this sweet chili sauce as a dipping sauce for fried spring rolls, wontons, egg rolls, or any of the following recipes.

Drizzle it over some vegan chicken wings for a sweet and spicy appetizer or use it over stir-fries. You can also use it as a marinade for tofu.

Storage

Refrigerate: This sweet chili sauce will keep well in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

Sweet Thai chili sauce over vegan chicken wings.
Sweet chili sauce over vegan chicken wings

More vegan sauces

Sweet chili sauce recipe

Sweet chili sauce in a glass bowl next to spring rolls.
Diet
Gluten Free Icon
Nut Free Icon
Soy Free Icon
Vegan Icon
5 from 3 rating

Sweet Chili Sauce

Yield: 6
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Author: Monica Davis
A sweet and spicy Thai style sauce perfect for dipping spring rolls, summer rolls, or tofu.
Print Leave a Review Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Add the water, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt to a small saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for about 1 minute stirring constantly with a whisk until all sugar is dissolved and the sauce becomes thicker and less cloudy.
  • Turn off the heat and allow it to cool. (It will thicken as it cools.) Place in a small bowl for dipping or store in a glass jar for later.

Notes

  • Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding slightly more or slightly less cornstarch.
  • Be sure to add the cornstarch to the pan before turning on the heat. It will not dissolve correctly in hot liquid.
  • You can omit the cornstarch and use it as a salad dressing too.
Calories: 31kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 93mg, Potassium: 6mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 49IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and review below!

📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!