As you’ve undoubtedly seen, we’ve returned, friends, to the mystical realm of Chinese condiments—i.e. SAUCE. Now that we’ve conquered the elusive Homemade Chili Oil and Ginger Scallion Oil (I believe the terms “elixir of life” and “condiment of the gods” were bandied about by some…), we can move on to more complicated and lesser known sauces. One such concoction is Chiu Chow sauce, which, in a nutshell, is chili oil gone hog wild. Those folks in Chiu Chow China really know what they’re doing!
Developing This Recipe
First, I should say that recipes for Chiu Chow chili sauce are rather limited. A quick Google search rendered relatively few findings—just a handful of variations that left me less than satisfied. So, I turned to a key source in any home cook’s arsenal—the label on the store-bought version.
Our gold standard for study? Lee Kum Kee’s version (if you’re just too lazy to read on, you can buy a jar here). A close study of various ingredients—some more chemical than others—brought me back to a core list of ingredients…
The most vital of those ingredients is the Golden Goose Egg Secret #1 of making delicious Chiu Chow sauce at home: garlic. Lots and lots of it—enough to ward off potential dates within a 10-mile radius. Enough to scare the vampires out of your kids’ nightmares. Yes. That much.
Golden Goose Egg Secret #2 of making delicious Chiu Chow sauce at home is that the key salt component and distinctive flavor profile comes from the addition of soy sauce. Shockingly unorthodox, I know, but it adds that signature dark color and rich, umami flavor.
The New Number 1 Condiment
It’s gotten to the point that Sarah and I have split into 2 sauce factions—Sarah remains determinedly loyal to “lady sauce” our old standby, whereas I have cast caution to the wind and pledged allegiance to this amazingly delicious, garlicky, spicy Chiu Chow oil.
For long-time readers of our blog, yes, this sauce is THAT powerful. “The lady” is no longer my number one main homie. It’s this delightful concoction of garlic, chili, and soy.
I think that by now I’ve probably convinced you of it’s awesomeness, so let’s get started, shall we?
Recipe Instructions
Slice the fresh chili peppers thinly. Place into a mortar and pestle along with 2 teaspoons salt. Grind and mix thoroughly with the pestle. You don’t need to form a paste, just break down the peppers slightly.
This is my shortcut for salt-preserved chilies. I’m not really sure if it actually approximates salt-preserved chilies, but it does add really great spice and texture! Set aside and prepare the rest of your ingredients.
Mince the garlic. I used a garlic press; a food processor also works well. Then again, nothing wrong with old-fashioned elbow grease!
Heat ½ cup of your oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic. Stir and let fry gently until the garlic turns golden yellow in color. However, it should NOT become crisp or fry intensely at all.
You can turn the heat up and down between medium-low and medium-high to slow or expedite the process as need be. If you want to be more cautious about it, the ideal heat should be between 225 to 250 degrees F and you can use a candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
When the garlic is ready (about 30 minutes later, give or take 10 minutes depending on how cautious you’re being), add the salted chilies. Stir and let fry gently for another 5-10 minutes, again watching closely so as not to burn the oil and spices.
Next, add the last ¾ cups of oil to the saucepan to heat through. Too much oil early on in the process makes it more difficult to evenly fry the garlic and chilies, which is why we started with only 1/2 cup.
Now add your Sichuan chili flakes and sugar. Stir to combine.
Finish off with 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, and you’ve got a delicious jar of homemade chiu chow oil! (Feel free to re-season with up to a teaspoon of additional salt if needed. You may want to wait until it’s cooled first to get a more accurate read on the flavor.)
Transfer to a clean jar. In our experience, the sauce stores well at the top/back of the refrigerator (the coldest part) for a good 2-3 months. And, of course, always dip into it with a clean spoon/chopsticks to preserve it. But we’re betting it doesn’t last past the 2-week mark!
Homemade Chiu Chow Chili Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 fresh chili peppers (e.g., Thai bird's eye chilies but adjust to taste / pepper type) (thinly sliced)
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 2 heads garlic (peeled)
- 1¼ cups neutral oil (like vegetable or canola)
- 1 cup Sichuan chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
- Slice the fresh chili peppers thinly. Place into a mortar and pestle along with 2 teaspoons salt. Grind and mix thoroughly with the pestle—you don't need to form a paste, just break down the peppers slightly. This is my shortcut for salt-preserved chilies. I'm not really sure if it actually approximates salt-preserved chilies, but it does add really great spice and texture! Set aside and prepare the rest of your ingredients.
- Mince the garlic. I used a garlic press; a food processor also works well. Then again, nothing wrong with old-fashioned elbow grease!
- Heat ½ cup of your oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic. Stir and let fry gently until the garlic turns golden yellow in color. The goal is to cook off the moisture and allow the garlic to soak up the oil—like a confit. It should NOT become crisp or fry intensely at all. You may need to reduce the heat to medium-low / low.
- When the garlic is ready (about 30 minutes later, give or take 10 minutes depending on how cautious you're being), add the salted chilies. Stir and let fry gently for another 5-10 minutes, again watching closely so as not to burn the oil and spices.
- Next, add the last ¾ cups of oil to the saucepan to heat through. Too much oil early on in the process makes it more difficult to evenly fry the garlic and chilies, which is why we started with only 1/2 cup.
- Now add your chili flakes and sugar. Stir to combine. Finish off with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and you've got a delicious jar of homemade chiu chow oil! (Feel free to re-season with up to a teaspoon of additional salt if needed. You may want to wait until it's cooled first to get a more accurate read on the flavor.)
- Transfer to a clean jar. In our experience, the sauce stores well at the top/back of the refrigerator (the coldest part) for a good 2-3 months. And, of course, always dip into it with a clean spoon/chopsticks to preserve it. But we're betting it doesn't last past the 2-week mark!
Hi, this sounds so delicious. I’m just worried about the garlic and Clostridium botulinum that it may contain, even if cooked and stored in the fridge. Can you clarify? Thank you :)
We’re not scientists or doctors, just commonsense home cooks! You should always defer to what you are most comfortable with. Having made three large batches of chiu chow over the years (emphasis on large), we’ve never had any problems.
I love it I just want to open a business with this
Heheh well you might have to give us a call before you do that :P
Great stuff! If I use Korean chili flakes it gets a little goopy, but my Szechuan chili flakes always seem to remain a little tough ans fibrous. Any way around this?
Hi Andy, this is really a matter of taste. If you don’t like the texture of the seeds and flakes in Sichuan chili flakes you can grind it down into a powder. But no amount of cooking is going to “soften” them after they’re dried. You might consider trying these oil ground chili flakes which might be slightly “softer” in texture. https://themalamarket.com/products/sichuan-chili-flakes-xiang-la-jiao-mian
Hope that helps!
Incredible. I’ve made this twice now and can’t get enough of it. I’ve been growing jalapeños (aging on plant until red) and cayennes which pair perfectly to help balance the sweet and the heat! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Ryan, that sounds awesome! I will have to try in place of the bird’s eye when I replenish our supply. Sometimes those little guys melt my face off. So something a little sweeter sounds awesome.
I make this (without the sugar) to approximate the wonderous Lan Chi chili garlic paste which seems to be no longer available -at least not right now. Pretty fair substitute.
That’s great, Kevin
This is the one I like. I put it on my homemade pizza…just right on my steamed rice too.
Thank you, Lesley!
Greetings from Norway🇧🇻The sauce is really good. Made it as the recipe and got 3 small jars. I’ll make more when I’m out. Only one little thing: the coolest shelf in the fridge is the bottom one. The warmest air rises to the top of the fridge. So I would recomend to store it on the bottom shelf in the back. Sorry☺☺
Thank you, Jan! Hahah oops, thank you for clarifying! I read somewhere once that milk should be stored in the top shelf, I should have fact-checked myself…Either way, the sauce will be safe in the refrigerator.
In our American refrigerators the coldest part of the fridge is in the top because the freezer usually blows circulation through the vents at the top of the refrigerator not sure European models may be different
Crazy delicious. Add Fermented black beans… extra crazy delicious
Yusss, love it.
Would it be safe for long term fridge storage to add ginger or green onion with the garlic to fry? Could I add miso paste and more soy safely do you think? They store so long in the fridge I’m inclined to think it’s fine
Hi Deb, I’m inclined to think it’s fine too. The ginger and scallion might shorten the life span though. Just be sure to really cook it so it’s totally soaked in oil and devoid of water. Let us know how it turns out, sounds like an interesting combo! :)