Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce
A sticky, tangy, slightly spicy homemade sweet chili pineapple sauce made in just 15 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect as a dip, glaze, or drizzle for chicken, shrimp, tofu, and more.
- Total Time15 minutes
- Yield6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (with juice)
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix pineapple juice, crushed pineapple with juice, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and flavors begin to meld.
- Create Slurry and Thicken: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water to make a smooth slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from heat and let cool for at least 5 minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Use as a dip, glaze, or drizzle over chicken, shrimp, tofu, rice bowls, and more.
Notes
The sauce thickens significantly as it cools — don’t worry if it seems thin on the stove. Always make the cornstarch slurry with cold water to avoid lumps. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of pineapple juice if needed to thin.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment, Sauce
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Fusion
Nutrition
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 350
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 0.5
