Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
I love having a good sauce in the refrigerator because it can turn an ordinary meal into something completely different.
This Keto Sweet Chili Sauce is one of those little recipes I keep coming back to.
It’s sweet, spicy, tangy, garlicky, and just thick enough to coat whatever you drizzle it over. And unlike traditional sweet chili sauce, this homemade version skips the added sugar and uses a keto-friendly sweetener instead.
I first made it because I wanted something flavorful to serve with crispy chicken.
I had some red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and a keto-friendly sweetener in the pantry, so I decided to experiment.
The first taste was surprisingly good.
It had that familiar sweet-and-spicy flavor I loved, but I could control exactly how sweet and spicy it was.
Since then, I’ve used it with chicken, shrimp, meatballs, vegetables, lettuce wraps, and even eggs.
It’s one of those sauces that makes meal prep much more exciting.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: About 15 minutes
Makes: Approximately 1 cup
Why You’ll Love This Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
No added sugar
Low in carbohydrates
Sweet and spicy
Quick to prepare
Uses simple ingredients
Easy to customize
Great for dipping and drizzling
Perfect for meal prep
Ingredients
½ cup water
½ cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
½ cup keto-friendly granulated sweetener
2–3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1–2 red chili peppers, finely chopped
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Optional
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon lime juice
How to Make Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Chili and Garlic
Finely chop the chili peppers and garlic.
For a milder sauce, remove the chili seeds and membranes.
For a hotter sauce, leave some of the seeds in.
Step 2: Combine the Sauce Ingredients
Add the water, vinegar, keto-friendly sweetener, garlic, chili peppers, soy sauce, ginger, and salt to a small saucepan.
Stir well.
Step 3: Simmer
Place the saucepan over medium heat.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The garlic and chili will infuse the liquid with plenty of flavor.
Step 4: Make the Slurry
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth.
Make sure there are no lumps.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking continuously.
Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
Don’t cook it for too long because it will continue thickening as it cools.
Step 6: Finish
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Add sesame oil or lime juice if desired.
Taste and adjust.
You can add more sweetener for sweetness, more chili for heat, or a splash of vinegar for extra tang.
Allow the sauce to cool before transferring it to a clean jar.
My Best Tips
Adjust the Heat
The beauty of homemade chili sauce is that you control the spice level.
Start with one chili and add more if needed.
Don’t Over-Thicken It
The sauce should be pourable while warm.
It will become thicker as it cools.
Use a Keto-Friendly Sweetener
Different sweeteners have different levels of sweetness and can behave differently when heated.
Use one you know works well for sauces and check the package instructions.
Taste Before Storing
Once the sauce has cooled slightly, taste it again.
Sweetness, acidity, and heat become easier to judge when the sauce isn’t piping hot.
Important Keto Note About Cornstarch
Traditional cornstarch contains carbohydrates, so if you’re following a strict ketogenic diet, the amount used here should be included in your carbohydrate calculation.
For a very low-carb version, replace the cornstarch with a keto-friendly thickener such as xanthan gum.
If using xanthan gum, use only a tiny amount—start with about ⅛ teaspoon, whisk thoroughly, and add more only if needed.
Delicious Ways to Use Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
Crispy Chicken
Drizzle it over crispy baked or air-fried chicken.
Shrimp
Toss cooked shrimp with the sauce for an easy sweet-and-spicy dinner.
Meatballs
Coat chicken, turkey, pork, or beef meatballs in the sauce.
Salmon
Brush it over salmon before or after cooking.
Egg Rolls
Use it as a dipping sauce for keto-friendly egg rolls or lettuce wraps.
Stir-Fry
Add a spoonful to chicken and vegetables for a quick stir-fry sauce.
Roasted Vegetables
Drizzle a little over roasted cauliflower, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.
Lettuce Wraps
Use it as a finishing sauce for chicken or shrimp lettuce wraps.
How to Make It Less Spicy
Use one mild red chili pepper and remove the seeds and membranes.
You can also increase the amount of vinegar and sweetener slightly to balance the heat.
How to Make It Spicier
Add:
Extra fresh chili
Red pepper flakes
Cayenne pepper
A small amount of chili paste
Add heat gradually because it’s easy to make the sauce hotter, but much harder to take the heat back out.
Can I Make It Without Soy Sauce?
Absolutely.
Replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos or simply leave it out and adjust the salt.
Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar?
Yes.
Rice vinegar gives the most traditional sweet chili flavor, but apple cider vinegar works well and adds a slightly fruitier tang.
Can I Make It Without Garlic?
Yes, although garlic gives the sauce a lot of its savory character.
For a milder version, use just one small clove.
How to Store Keto Sweet Chili Sauce
Allow the sauce to cool, then transfer it to a clean airtight jar or container.
Refrigerate promptly.
For best quality, use within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on the ingredients and how it was prepared and stored.
Always use a clean utensil when serving and discard it if you notice mold, fermentation, an off smell, or other signs of spoilage.
Can I Freeze It?
Yes.
Pour cooled sauce into a freezer-safe container, leaving some room for expansion.
Freeze for up to about 2–3 months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and stir well before using.
Nutritional Information
Approximate per tablespoon, using a keto-friendly sweetener:
Calories: 8
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrates: 1g
Fibre: 0g
Net Carbohydrates: About 1g
Nutrition values vary depending on the sweetener, thickener, chili peppers, and other ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sweet chili sauce keto?
Traditional sweet chili sauce is usually high in sugar. This homemade version is designed to be lower in carbohydrates by replacing added sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener.
Can I use honey?
Honey isn’t appropriate for a strict keto version because it’s high in sugar. If you’re not following keto, you can use it, but the nutrition will change significantly.
Why did my sauce become too thick?
It may have been cooked too long or contained too much thickener. Add a small amount of water and warm gently while stirring.
Why is my sauce too thin?
Simmer it for another minute or two, or add a very small amount of additional keto-friendly thickener.
Can I make this completely sugar-free?
Yes, provided you use a sweetener with no added sugar and verify the ingredients on the products you’re using.
Can I use frozen chili peppers?
Yes. Thaw and drain them first if they contain excess moisture.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Sweet Chili Sauce is proof that a good homemade sauce doesn’t need a long ingredient list.
It’s sweet, spicy, garlicky, tangy, and incredibly versatile.
I love keeping a jar in the refrigerator because it gives even the simplest meals a little excitement.
Leftover chicken?
Add the sauce.
Plain shrimp?
Add the sauce.
Roasted vegetables?
You already know what to do.
Once you make it yourself, you may find yourself looking for excuses to put it on everything. 🌶️🧄