Sweet & Spicy Smoky Chili Sauce: A Fiery Glaze for Southern Dishes
If you’re looking to add bold, fiery flavor to your Southern meals, you’ve come to the right place! My Sweet & Spicy Smoky Chili Sauce is a perfect blend of heat, sweet, and smoky goodness that will take any dish to the next level. Whether you’re glazing ribs, wings, or even roasted vegetables, this sauce packs a delicious punch. Here’s why this glaze is the new must-have in your Southern cooking arsenal.
The Perfect Blend of Heat and Sweet
This glaze has the kind of spicy kick that makes your taste buds tingle, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. The combination of red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper delivers a lasting heat, while the brown and white sugars create a caramelized sweetness that cuts through the spice. It’s the best of both worlds—bold but balanced, spicy but smooth.
Ingredients That Make Magic Happen
The secret to this sauce is in its carefully selected ingredients. For the base, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce create a rich, tangy foundation. Soy sauce and vinegar bring in extra depth and complexity, while a touch of minced garlic and both ginger powder and ginger paste add a fragrant, zesty note. The smoky warmth of paprika and the fiery heat of cayenne pepper round out the flavor profile, making every bite an adventure.
Here’s the full ingredient list for this chili glaze:
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Hot sauce
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Minced garlic
- Ginger powder
- Ginger paste
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
Simmering to Perfection
To make this Sweet & Spicy Smoky Chili Sauce, I like to combine all of the ingredients in a pot and simmer them on low heat. The simmering allows the flavors to meld together, creating a beautifully thick, rich glaze that’s perfect for brushing on just about anything. The cornstarch helps the sauce thicken, giving it that luscious, sticky texture that clings to your food.
Serving Suggestions
This sauce is incredibly versatile. Try it on:
- Grilled Chicken or Ribs Brush it on during the last few minutes of grilling for a shiny, flavorful finish.
- Wings and Shrimp – Toss freshly fried or baked wings in this sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Roasted Vegetables – Drizzle over veggies like carrots or Brussels sprouts for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Burgers – Add it to your burgers for a bold, Southern-inspired flavor.
Bringing Southern Spice to Your Kitchen
My Sweet & Spicy Smoky Chili Sauce is more than just a glaze—it’s an experience. It brings together the fiery heat Southerners love, with a touch of sweet and smoky for good measure. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or looking to jazz up a weekday dinner, this sauce is guaranteed to make your meals memorable.
So, grab a pot, simmer up this delicious glaze, and enjoy a true taste of Southern spice!
Sweet & Spicy Smoky Chili Sauce
Equipment
- 1 medium heavy bottom pot or saucepan
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp minced or fresh diced garlic
- 2 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp ground ginger powder
- 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Add Flavor: Stir in cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, diced serrano peppers, smoked paprika, black pepper, sugar, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger powder, and fresh ginger paste. Adjust the quantities according to your taste preferences.
- Simmer and Blend: Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until smooth.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.
- Enjoy Your Creations: Once the sauce is ready, use it immediately as a glaze for shrimp, fish, or chicken. Alternatively, let it cool and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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