Chili Oil Recipe (How to Make Chili Oil) (2024)

Hi Mike and Patty,
Ralph here from South Africa.
I LOVE your site. These recipes are amazing!

I have a variation of this chili oil which I've evolved from a recipe on another site, which I'd like to share. This is not a 5 minute version, though 🙂

Unfortunately, down here we don't get shallots, so I used red onions, and some spring onion (I think in the US you'd call them green onions... which are apparently NOT exactly the same as scallions, but I'm sure scallions would work fine).
It's also really hard to find a decent variety of chilis other than bird's eye, Jalapeno, Habs and a few others, so I've tweaked the recipe according to what I have managed to get my hands on. In future I will rather get seeds and start growing my own. But for now this is what I used.

Below are the ingredients and their quantities used in my last batch (I weighed and recorded everything as I went along. Please note I'm in South Africa so we use the metric system (liters and grams) so please convert to pounds, ounces, gallons...etc:

2L sunflower cooking oil
76g Serenade chili
39g red Bird's Eye chili
252g green Jalapeno chili
150g dried chili flakes
75g white salad onions (short spring onions, white and green parts - green onions in the US)
Cloves from 4 heads of garlic (+- 300g)
3 red onions (530g)
3 Knorr Chicken stock cubes
1 Knorr beef stock cube
120g brown sugar (not the sticky kind. Same consistency as white sugar, but a light brown, almost caramel colour. That's the sugar we use at home. I'm sure ordinary white sugar would be just fine).
100g sesame seeds (optional for extra crunch and flavour - leave these until very last).

This is the 2nd time I've made this recipe, and this time around I used your recipe and video instructions to roast the chilis beforehand. This is of course optional. I was just intrigued by the idea of different flavours coming out during the roasting.

Chop up the chilis, garlic and onions to a course mixture and set aside.

In a large pot heat the oil on a medium heat. My stove settings go up to 12. I had it up to 5, so it's just below halfway on the dial. (I used a pot because a pan is not deep enough for 2 liters of oil - I'm sure a wok would work, but then cooking time may be reduced... a pot takes a bit longer, I'd think)

When the oil is hot enough, put the dried chili flakes, sugar and broken up stock cubes into the oil and fry for about 5 minutes.

Then add the onion, chili and garlic and fry, stirring often so it doesn't stick.
Fry this for another 25 minutes, so the total cooking time since you added the flakes etc is about 30 minutes.

Then I turned up the heat to 8/12 (2 third heat on the dial) for another 20 minutes (total cooking time so far is around 50 minutes). During this part you need to stir almost constantly as it is possible to burn the mixture. The reason I cranked up the heat on the stove is that it almost crisps the chili mix, which I really love. If you don't care, don't mind, or don't have a full hour, you can take it off the stove at this point. But seriously... leave it on 🙂

And then for the last 10 minutes, add the sesame seeds. The reason I added the sesame seeds so late is because I'm scared of burning them and don't want to ruin the entire batch by putting them in too early and risk burning them. If anyone knows f they can survive longer in hot oil without spoiling or burning, let me know.
But I put in for the last 10 minutes.

That's it. Remove from the stove and let it cool.
I first used a ladle to get the chunky mixture into the jars, filling each one about halfway. Then I shared out the oil to fill each jar.
Seal and put in the fridge.

The only thing that worries me is some of the comments in this post about using within a month or it'll go off. I hope that by keeping it in the fridge, it'll last a bit longer. From the last batch I made, I gave so many away, my remaining jars got used up before a month was up.

Anyway, check it out, play around and have fun.
Thanks for reading this, and thank you for this amazing page!!

REPLY: Ralph, thank you for sharing this. Sounds great! -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

Chili Oil Recipe (How to Make Chili Oil) (2024)

FAQs

How do you balance chilli oil? ›

If you're wary of pouring an entire cup of oil into your soup or stew, reach for some nut butter. Peanut, almond, or cashew butter are all rich in fat and can help dissolve capsaicin and mitigate some of the heat from chiles.

What oil is best for chili oil? ›

The best oil for making chili oil

Since you're cooking the oil at high temperature, you can use oils such as corn oil, canola oil, teaseed oil, or peanut oil. These oils are also known as neutral oils, which means they don't impart strong flavors.

How long is homemade chili oil? ›

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.

Do you add salt to chili oil? ›

Season The Oil

Let cool for a few minutes, then add sesame seeds, sugar and salt to taste. The salt and sugar give a balance of flavor to the chili oil, while the sesame seeds provide an aromatic nuttiness to the oil! Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

How do you balance chili flavor? ›

How to Fix a Too-Spicy Chili
  1. Add a few whole, peeled Russet potatoes to the pot. As they cook, they will sponge up some of the cooking liquid and the spices along with it. ...
  2. Use strategic toppings. Cool and creamy dairy works wonders to balance out the heat. ...
  3. Remove some of the chili.

How do you thicken chili oil? ›

Quick Overview: Best Ways On How To Thicken Chili
  1. Reduce The Sauce.
  2. Add Corn starch to Thicken Chili.
  3. Use Flour to Thicken Chili.
  4. Add Vegetables to the Chili.
  5. Add Tomato Paste to Thicken Chili.
  6. Use Baking Powder to Thicken Chili.
  7. Add Tortilla Chips.
  8. Add Cornmeal to the Chili.

How hot should oil be for chili oil? ›

Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium until it reaches 225 degrees F to 250 degrees F (110 degrees C to 120 degrees C), 3 to 4 minutes.. It's hot enough when a few flakes of crushed red pepper will sizzle in the oil. Pour oil over spices. Let stand until cooled completely, about 1 hour.

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.

Is olive oil good for chili oil? ›

Ingredients for Italian Chili Oil

While it is important to use a flavorful olive oil, the most prominent flavor in this condiment is the heat. So, the delicate flavor of a very high-end, extra-virgin olive oil will likely become masked.

What are the white specks in chili oil? ›

Well, the sediment is from the onions, ginger, cloves and other ingredients you added to make this incredible chili oil with sediment. Chili oil is not that stuff you see on the shelves of your supermarket in the international aisle. It's doesn't run clear like that.

How long does chili oil with garlic last? ›

Garlic chili oil made with our method, stored properly in a sterilized jar, and kept clean (not contaminated with dirty utensils) can last up to 5 to 6 months. Does garlic chili oil need to be refrigerated? No, garlic chili oil does not need to be refrigerated and can be kept outside, in a cool dry place.

Is homemade chili oil healthy? ›

Is chilli oil healthy? Chilli oil can be healthy in moderation as it contains capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and have some health benefits. However, it's high in calories and should be consumed sparingly.

Is chili oil better dried or fresh? ›

In fact, dried chilis are often used to make chili oil because they are more flavorful and have a longer shelf life than fresh chilis.

Can you put chili powder in chili oil? ›

Chili pepper powder - Essentially, Chinese chili pepper powder is added to give the chili oil extra red color. If you prefer, you can use Korean fine chili powder (gochugaru) as substitute.

How do you neutralize chili oil in food? ›

Add Nuts or Nut Butters. High-fat foods like nuts and nut butters can help dissolve the oils in capsaicin, making the spice feel less potent. Adding a scoop of nut butter can not only help neutralize excessive spice, but also adds protein, healthy fat and nutrients to whatever you're making.

How do you reduce the spice in chili oil? ›

Add dairy.

Dairy is great at counteracting spiciness and can add a nice cooling effect. You can add milk, sour cream, or even a dollop of plain yogurt over each serving, but beware of adding and then cooking the dairy over higher heat, as it may curdle.

How to cool off chili that is too spicy? ›

Sweet Defeats Heat

Adding something sweet to a too-spicy dish is another great way to reduce spiciness. A sprinkle of sugar or honey should do the trick. Or add a touch of sweet ketchup. If it's a tomato-based sauce, stir in a little more tomato sauce and maybe a touch of sugar.

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