Sweet Chilli Sauce with Sultanas

This Sweet Chilli Sauce with Sultanas is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and gently spicy flavours. Made with fresh red chillies, garlic, vinegar and juicy sultanas, this easy homemade sauce comes together in just 20 minutes using a handful of simple ingredients.

If your fridge is anything like ours, there's always a bottle of sweet chilli sauce tucked away in the door. It's one of those versatile condiments that seems to go with everything! I serve it as a dipping sauce with these vegetable spring rolls, and add it to chilli tofu for a balance of sweetness. It also makes a great alternative to hoisin in these Instant Pot bao buns.

After making countless bottles over the years, I wanted to create my own homemade version. The key was getting the balance just right. Too much sugar and the sauce becomes overly syrupy. Too much chilli and it loses its sweetness. The addition of sultanas was the answer. As they simmer, they soften into the sauce, adding a natural fruity sweetness and a richer flavour without needing lots of extra sugar.

Once you've tried making sweet chilli sauce from scratch, it's hard to go back to the shop-bought version. It's quick, easy and perfect for keeping in the fridge whenever you need a flavour-packed dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• Fresh red chillies – provide vibrant colour and gentle heat. Remove some or all of the seeds for a milder sauce.
• Sultanas – add natural sweetness, body and a subtle fruity flavour as they soften into the sauce.
• Garlic – gives depth and savoury flavour that complements both the sweetness and spice.
• White vinegar – adds tanginess and helps preserve the sauce.
• Sugar – balances the acidity and heat, creating the classic sweet chilli flavour.

Variations

• Reduce the chilli seeds for a milder sauce.
• Increase the chillies for extra heat.
• Add fresh ginger for a warming flavour.
• Blend until completely smooth or leave slightly chunky for extra texture.
• Use raisins instead of sultanas if that's what you have available.

Make Ahead Tips

Sweet chilli sauce is ideal for making ahead. Once cooled completely, transfer it to a sterilised bottle or jar and keep it refrigerated.

The flavours continue to develop over the next day or two, making it even better after it's had time to rest.

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📖 Recipe

Sweet Chilli Sauce with Sultanas

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Quick, easy and ready in just 20 minutes with only a handful of ingredients, this homemade chilli and sultana sauce is a wonderfully sweet and fiery condiment you'll want to keep on permanent standby.

Course condiments

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 16 servings

Author Hayley Dhanecha

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Ingredients

• 100 grams fresh red chillies stems removed
• 150 grams sugar
• 50 grams sultanas
• 240 millilitres white vinegar
• 2-3 garlic cloves peeled
• salt to taste

Instructions

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• Place the chillies, sultanas, garlic, and white vinegar into a food processor. Pulse until the chillies are finely chopped.
• Transfer the mixture to a stainless steel saucepan and add the sugar and salt.
• Place over a low heat and stir continuously until the sugar has fully dissolved.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 12–15 minutes, until the chillies and sultanas are completely soft.
• Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely.
• Pour into a sterilised jar or bottle, seal tightly, and store in a cool, dark place.

Notes

For a milder sauce, remove the seeds from the chillies before processing.
The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, so don't over-reduce it during cooking.
A stainless steel pan is important here — vinegar can react with aluminium or cast iron and affect the flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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