Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (2024)

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (1)

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You won’t believe how easy it is to make this homemade chili oil from scratch! With just 5 ingredients, this will definitely become your new pantry staple!

It’s that simple?

Yes, I’m a huge lover of spicy food and this chili oil has become my answer to almost everything.

Stir it in sauces, throw it in stir-fries, use it as a dip, the possibilities are endless. I’ve even seen some people use this on their ice cream.

Here are some of my favorites to use chili oil with:

  • Scallion oil noodles
  • Chili oil noodles
  • Spicy chicken adobo

Ingredients for chili oil

  • 6-8 tbsp chili flakes (depending on your spice tolerance)
  • 2 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1.5 cups oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt, to taste

And that’s it! Because it’s so simple, it’s also super easy to double or even triple this batch for your needs.

You could even store this in mason jars and gift it to your friends who are also spice lovers.

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (2)

As always, you’re definitely free to customize this chili oil however you see fit to your tastes! A couple of my favorite spices to mix in my chili oils include:

  • Ground peppercorns (white, black, or Sichuan)
  • 5 spice powder
  • Cumin
  • Ginger

The chili flakes

As easy as this recipe is, choosing the right chili flakes is absolutely essential since it will majorly affect the final outcome of your oil.

Here are some of my recommendations:

Sichuan Chili Flakes: these are by-far one of the most common and recommended chili flakes to make chili oil with, especially if you’re trying to make the authentic Sichuan chili oil. The texture has a combination of both flaked and powdered chilies, which will give your oil that signature vibrant, rich red color.

Dried Whole Chinese Chilies: if you can’t get your hands on the Sichuan chili flakes, this would be your next best option. In some Asian grocery stores, they’ll usually have a generic bag of dried red chilies; and most often times these are usually Tianjin chilies (aka. “facing-heaven chilies).

  • Simply process the chilies in a spice grinder until they become chili flakes. I also like to process a portion of these chilies further into a powder in order to mix with the flakes; this is totally optional, but it helps to emulate that similar texture with the traditional Sichuan chili flakes.

Korean Chili flakes: aka. Gochugaru, this is another great chili to use for your chili oil. It has a slight smoky and sweet taste, and still provides your oil that vibrant red color.

The oil

Since we’re essentially heating up the oil to pour on top of our chilies, we’d ideally want an oil that’s both tasteless and has a high smoking point.

Neutral oils such as canola, vegetable, or peanut are great choices. They have very little taste (hilighting the flavor of our chilies and aromatics) and won’t burn as easily (causing a bitter taste).

Try to stay away from oils that will harden in your refrigerator, things like olive oil or coconut oil.

Instructions

In a heat-proof bowl, combine together the garlic, chili flakes, and soy sauce.

Heat your oil to around 250-300 F, or when a wooden chopstick/spoon sizzles when submerged in the oil.

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (4)

Pour the hot oil over the aromatics and immediately stir to evenly distribute the oil and to avoid burning.

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (5)
Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (6)

Season with salt to taste and stir to combine.

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (7)

How to store chili oil

For a prolonged life, store your homemade chili oil in an air tight container in the fridge.

They can last for up to 2-3 months with proper handling! Always make sure to:

  • Keep the garlic and chilies submerged in oil
  • Use a clean utensil whenever you scoop out the oil
Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (8)

Before use, always stir the chili oil since the crisps and salt have a tendency to sink to the bottom after settling for a while. Enjoy!

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (9)

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil

5 from 4 votes

Recipe by IanCourse: SidesCuisine: Chinese

You won’t believe how easy it is to make this homemade chili oil from scratch! With just 5 ingredients, this will definitely become your new pantry staple!

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 6-8 tbsp chili flakes (or crushed chilies)

  • 2 tbsp garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1.5 cups oil (vegetable, peanut, or canola)

  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

  • In a heat-proof bowl, combine together the garlic, chili flakes, and soy sauce.
  • Heat your oil to around 250-300 F, or when a wooden chopstick/spoon sizzles when submerged in the oil.
  • Pour the hot oil over the aromatics and immediately stir to evenly distribute the oil and to avoid burning.
  • Season the oil with salt to taste and stir to combine.

Notes

  • For a prolonged life, store your homemade chili oil in an air tight container in the fridge. They can last up to 2-3 months with proper handling!

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chilioil

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (10)

Ian

My name's Ian, a Filipino-Canadian homecook, content creator, and massive foodie. Here I share a collection of my favorite Filipino and Asian recipes! Connect with me on my socials or subscribe to our email list!

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Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks (2024)

FAQs

Easy 5-Ingredient Chili Oil - Iankewks? ›

The best-known commercial brand is Lao Gan Ma, which is based on the chili crisps of Guizhou province. The chili crisp is closely related to Chinese chili oil, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, the difference being that the crisp contains edible chunks of food in the chili oil.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  • Brown the Meat.
  • Don't Forget Vegetables.
  • Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  • Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  • Opt for Dried Beans.
  • Season Early and Often.
  • Add Some Acidity at the End.
  • Top It Off.

How do you prevent botulism in chili oil? ›

Tips To Avoid Botulism in Chili Oil
  1. Never leave fresh garlic in the oil.
  2. Never add water or other fresh ingredients to oil.
  3. Always use clean silverware when serving chili oil.
  4. Use oil within 1 month.
  5. Discard if the container is bulging or releases air when opened.
Feb 2, 2022

What's the difference between chili oil and chili crisp? ›

The best-known commercial brand is Lao Gan Ma, which is based on the chili crisps of Guizhou province. The chili crisp is closely related to Chinese chili oil, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, the difference being that the crisp contains edible chunks of food in the chili oil.

What is the best oil for chili oil? ›

Any neutral oil is best for making homemade chili oil.

Peanut oil, canola oil, corn oil, avocado oil, or a simple vegetable oil make the best chili oil with real chili flavor. I do not recommend oils with stronger flavors, such as olive oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil, as they can affect the flavor of your final oil.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  • Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  • Liquid Smoke. ...
  • Brine or Vinegar. ...
  • Soy Sauce. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  • Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

How to tell if chili oil is bad? ›

To determine if your chili oil has gone bad, you'll need to pay attention to the smell and visual aspects. If it smells rancid or off, that's your first sign that it's expired. Additionally, if you notice any discoloration or mold growth, those are sure signs it's time to toss it.

Does vinegar stop botulism? ›

Because vinegar is high in acid, it does not support the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. However, some vinegars may support the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria. Infused oils have the potential to support the growth of C. botulinum bacteria.

What neutralizes botulism? ›

The only specific strategy to treat botulism is to neutralize the circulating toxin with an antitoxin, thus preventing the irreversible internalization of BoNT into the neurons.

What is the chili oil in Chinese restaurants? ›

Chili oil is a condiment made from vegetable oil that has been infused with chili peppers. Different types of oil and hot peppers are used, and other components may also be included. It is commonly used in Chinese cuisine, Southeast Asian cuisine, Italy, and elsewhere.

What is the strongest chilli oil? ›

Carolina Reaper Chilli Oil is made from top quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the hottest chilli in the world, the Carolina Reaper.

Do you refrigerate chili crisp oil after opening? ›

Chili Crisp - No

Most companies use garlic, shallots, and chiles that have been dried, which decreases the risk of bacterial growth. But as with many other condiments, storing it in the fridge will slow any flavor changes that might occur.

What is the famous Chinese chili oil? ›

The product is sold in China and over 30 other countries. Lao Gan Ma is credited with popularizing Chinese chili oil and chili crisp toppings in the Western world, and have inspired many Chinese-American chili-based toppings.

How long will homemade chilli oil last? ›

I restock my chili oil every 2-3 months and I always have jars in my fridge ready to go. It lasts in the fridge up to 3 MONTHS and I use it on everything, noodles, wontons, dumplings, eggs, radish cakes, homemade buns, literally EVERYTHING.

Can I use fresh chilies in chilli oil? ›

The short answer is – yes! You can make hot chili oil using fresh or dried chilies, so it's totally up to you what option you choose.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

How do you make chili even better? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What makes a good competition chili? ›

The chili contains very little or no grease. Winning chili must look good, smell good and taste good. Because the judging process takes a couple of hours, chili must retain its color, consistency, aroma, taste and afterbite while hot, warm, lukewarm and then cool in a styrofoam judging cup.

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