Sweet chili sauce is a popular condiment that adds a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and mild heat to dishes like spring rolls, grilled chicken, stir-fries, and dipping sauces. But what if you’re out of it? No need to panic—there are plenty of simple and flavorful sweet chili sauce substitutes you can make or mix from pantry staples.
In this post, we’ll share the best alternatives to sweet chili sauce, quick homemade recipes, and tips to match the flavor you’re looking for.
Table of Contents
What Does Sweet Chili Sauce Taste Like?
Sweet chili sauce has a:
Mild to medium heat from red chili or flakes
Sticky, syrupy texture from sugar or honey
Garlic undertone and a tangy kick from vinegar
It’s sweet and savory with just enough spice, making it incredibly versatile for both Asian-inspired and Western dishes.
Best Sweet Chili Sauce Substitutes
Honey + Hot Sauce + Vinegar
This simple blend mimics the balance of sweetness, heat, and tang.
How to use:
Mix ¼ cup honey, 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Sriracha), and 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or white vinegar. Stir well and adjust to taste.
Chili Garlic Sauce + Honey or Sugar
Chili garlic sauce has the spice and garlic notes. Adding a sweetener brings it closer to sweet chili sauce.
How to use:
Mix 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce with 1 tablespoon honey or sugar and 1 teaspoon vinegar.
Sriracha + Brown Sugar + Lime Juice
Sriracha gives you spice and vinegar, while sugar and lime add the sweetness and tang.
How to use:
Combine 2 tablespoons Sriracha, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon lime juice. Heat gently to dissolve sugar if needed.
Plum Sauce + Hot Sauce
If you have plum sauce, it can work well because of its thick, fruity sweetness.
How to use:
Mix 2 tablespoons plum sauce with 1 teaspoon hot sauce and a splash of vinegar.
Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce
Got a few more minutes? You can make a quick version from scratch.
Ingredients:
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of salt
Steps:
Combine water, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, red pepper, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Mix cornstarch with a bit of cold water and stir it in. Cook until slightly thickened. Let cool before using.
Quick Substitution Table
| Substitute | Flavor Match | Best Use |
| Honey + Hot Sauce + Vinegar | Sweet, tangy, mild heat | Stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauce |
| Chili Garlic Sauce + Sugar | Spicy, garlicky | Dipping sauce, meat glaze |
| Sriracha + Brown Sugar + Lime | Hot, sweet, tangy | Sandwiches, noodles, wraps |
| Plum Sauce + Hot Sauce | Fruity, sweet, mild spice | Egg rolls, grilled meats |
| Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce | Closest match | Any recipe calling for sweet chili |
Tips When Using Substitutes
Taste and adjust—some sauces are spicier or tangier than sweet chili
Use slightly less if your substitute is thicker or stronger in flavor
For dipping, choose sweeter blends. For stir-fries, go for a spicier mix
Sweet chili sauce is easy to substitute with ingredients you likely already have. Whether you need a quick fix or want to make your own from scratch, these sweet chili sauce alternatives will keep your dish flavorful and balanced.
