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small bowl with sambal oelek chili paste

Sambal Oelek Chili Paste

Sambal oelek chili paste brings the spice! Heat up the way you eat with this table side condiment, where red chilis are the star and it's super easy to make.
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Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Indonesian
Keyword: birdseye chili, chili sauce, condiment, oelek, red chili, sambal, spicy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 60kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chili Peppers
  • 3 tsp Coarse Sea Salt
  • 2 tbsp White Vinegar
  • pinch sugar optional

Instructions

Prepare the Peppers:

  • Wash and dry the chili peppers thoroughly. Remove the stems and, if desired, scrape out some seeds for a milder paste.

Blend or Grind:

  • Traditional Method: Use a mortar and pestle to grind the chilies with salt until a coarse paste forms.
    1 cup Chili Peppers, 3 tsp Coarse Sea Salt, 2 tbsp White Vinegar, pinch sugar
  • Modern Method: Blend the chilies, salt, and vinegar in a food processor or blender until your desired texture is achieved.

Cook (Optional):

  • For a more mellow flavor, sauté the chili paste in a small amount of oil for 5-7 minutes before storing.

Jar It:

  • Transfer the paste to glass, sterilized jars and seal tightly. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze in small portions for longer shelf life.

Notes

Optional add ins: garlic, lime juice, or shallots for added complexity.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Sambal Oelek Chili Paste
Amount per Serving
Calories
60
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.1
g
1
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.04
g
Sodium
 
14
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
483
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
13
g
4
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
1428
IU
29
%
Vitamin C
 
216
mg
262
%
Calcium
 
21
mg
2
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.