Homemade Chili Sauce Recipe (Easy & Flavorful)

Run out of chili sauce and need some for a recipe? This tomato based homemade chili sauce recipe is ridiculously easy, free of artificial color and preservatives, and has a perfectly balanced flavor!

Whether you’re using it on a burger, in dipping sauce, or in a favorite recipe, it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.

A few weeks ago I wanted to make spicy meatballs. I had chili sauce on the grocery list, but didn’t specify what kind, so my husband came home with thai sweet chili sauce. Oops.

Instead of taking another trip to the store, I figured it would be quicker to just whip up a batch. I found a recipe at Allrecipes, but tweaked it by adding more sugar, and adding red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. It worked fabulously, and at a fraction of the cost!

Why Make Chili Sauce at Home?

• You get to control the ingredients, so you can make it as spicy or sweet as you like!
• Unlike store-bought, there is no high fructose corn syrup or preservatives, just fresh ingredients.
• It’s budget-friendly and you can whip up a double or triple batch and store it in the freezer.
• For this red chili sauce, you don’t need a food processor or even a mixer. Just a whisk and a bowl.
• Because you can customize it to your family’s taste, the flavor is unbeatable!

How to make homemade chili sauce

1. Combine all the ingredient in a bowl or jar and whisk together until blended.
2. Let the sauce sit at room temp for about 30 minutes to blend the flavors. (Or heat it in a saucepan if you’re in a hurry.)
3. Use it in all your favorite recipes! Store it in the fridge for at least a week, or in the freezer for 4-6 months.

Chili Sauce Variations:

• Adjust the sugar and vinegar to balance sweetness and tanginess.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a slightly smoky flavor.
• For a more spicy sauce, you can double or even triple the red pepper flakes, or add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
• If you want a thicker sauce, you can swap out some of the tomato sauce for tomato paste, or simmer it on low heat until it thickens.

Ways to Use Chili Sauce

• Our favorite way to use it is for these Spicy Meatballs. It’s also popular in grape jelly meatballs.
• Spread some on a hamburger or hot dog, or use it as a dip for pigs in a blanket.
• Use it alone or combined with ketchup as a glaze for meatloaf.
• Try it as a marinate for beef or chicken.
• You can also use it as a cocktail sauce for shrimp, or as a dip for fried foods like egg rolls or french fries.

This easy homemade chili sauce recipe is perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors and likes to save money. Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!