• FB
  • Insta
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Amazon
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe
    Index
The Kitchen Whisperer
  • Tuesday’s
    Tips
  • Weekly
    Menu
  • Shop
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • Weekly Menu
  • Tuesday’s Tips
Jan 4 2025

Homemade Chili Sauce

Find the recipe card at the end of the post. Make sure to read the content as it contains chef tips, substitution options, and answers to FAQs to help you succeed the first time around!

Posts may contain affiliate links that help enable me to continue to provide you with free recipes. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for details.

Jump to Recipe
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Chili Sauce Recipe From Scratch

In the restaurants, we never would buy chili sauce. Why would we when we already had everything to make our own? I’m pretty sure if you look in your pantry, you also have them!

Let me show you how just a few ingredients, a bowl, a whisk, and a few minutes are all you need to make the best homemade chili sauce!

Chili sauce is like ketchup’s older brother. He’s a bit spicier, thicker, and more rugged. He doesn’t have time for shenanigans and wants to get down to business.

TKW Family Love

I swear we’re on the same wavelength! I ran out of chili sauce for a meatball recipe and didn’t have the time to run to the store to buy it. I went to Google and did a quick search and there you were!

I cannot believe how easy chili sauce is to make at home! I had everything on hand and it took maybe a minute. I think it took longer to grab it from the pantry versus actually making it!

I’ll never buy storebought again!


Charlamane


Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Homemade Chili Sauce Ingredients

This is such a simple recipe that I’m fairly sure you guys already have everything you need on hand to make this. I’m sharing this recipe now as it’s part of my Base Recipe series, and I have a few Follow-On recipes that call for Chili Sauce.

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
  • Tomato Paste
  • Liquids – water and white vinegar
  • Spices
  • Ketchup
  • Brown Sugar

WATCH: Making Chili Sauce From Scratch

How To Make Chili Sauce at Home

TKW Family Love

Made this today, and definitely a keeper. I added a little salt, since my palate demanded it.

I’ve tried other recipes for chili sauce, but this is the best.

Regardless of everything else, you neglected to mention the best use for this sauce: french fries!

Joe

Joe Wagner


Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
  1. To a bowl, add your ketchup and tomato paste, then give it a light whisk.
  2. Next, add water and vinegar and whisk to combine.
  3. Add the seasonings and brown sugar, whisking well to incorporate fully.
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Storing Homemade Chili Sauce

If you’re not using it immediately, transfer it to a lidded jar and store it in the fridge *See How Long Does Homemade Chili Sauce Last section.

I prefer to extend its life and preserve its quality, so I store it in the fridge. Though it only takes a few minutes to whisk up, I often make it right when I need it for a recipe. My fridge space is always limited, and since this is so incredibly easy to make, why bother making extra when it’s not needed?

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Uses for Chili Sauce

Once you’ve experienced how easy it is to make chili sauce from scratch, you’re probably wondering how to use it. As I mentioned above, it’s very similar to ketchup, but it’s spicier and much thicker in consistency.

  • Cocktail Sauce – it’s most known for being used to make cocktail sauce for shrimp.
  • Marinade – it’s great to add to BBQ sauce for a more profound and spicier flavor profile
  • Condiment – Many use it in place of ketchup on burgers, meatloaves, and other beef dishes
  • Sweet & Sour Sauces – It’s a fantastic sauce for cocktail meatballs or my Candied Kielbasa Bites.
Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

How Long Does Homemade Chili Sauce Last?

  • Fridge: If you store it in the fridge in a lidded, airtight container, it can last several months
  • Counter: store it on the counter in a lidded, airtight container for up to 3 weeks*
  • WaterBath Preserve: If you choose to water-bath preserve it, it can last unopened for up to a year.
  • Freeze Dry: up to 25 years in a mylar bag

*NOTE: while it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, I strongly advise storing it in the fridge to extend its shelf life and maintain quality.

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

Looking For More TKW Family Favorite Recipes?

These three recipes are favorites of yours (and mine!) Check them out and see why thousands globally have fallen in love with them!

  • Hoagie Roll Recipe
  • Homemade Salisbury Steak
  • Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
Print

Homemade Chili Sauce Recipe

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!
Print Recipe
Save Recipe Recipe Saved

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

Using simple pantry ingredients, learn to make chili sauce from scratch in minutes! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory for seafood, sauces, and dips! Skip the store-bought stuff and make it at home!

  • Author: Lori
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 minutes
  • Yield: 18 ounces
  • Category: chili sauce, homemade gifts, marinades, sauces
  • Method: no cook
  • Cuisine: chili sauce, homemade gifts, marinades, sauces

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces tomato paste
  • 4 1/2 Tablespoons  2 teaspoons  ketchup
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of water
  • 3 Tablespoons white vinegar
  • 3 3/4 Tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  1. To a bowl, add your ketchup and tomato paste, then give it a light whisk.
  2. Next, add water and vinegar and whisk to combine.
  3. Add the seasonings and brown sugar, whisking well to incorporate fully.
  4. Use immediately or transfer to a lidded jar and store in the fridge.

Made this recipe?

Tag @thekitchenwhisperer on Instagram and hashtag it #thekitchenwhisperer

Save For Later!

Make it a meal!

Pairs Perfectly With:

  • 3 Ingredient Candied Kielbasa Bites

    3 Ingredient Candied Kielbasa Bites

  • The Best Smoked BBQ Meatloaf

    The Best Smoked BBQ Meatloaf

  • Seriously The Best Smoked Brisket Burgers

    Seriously The Best Smoked Brisket Burgers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 responses

  1. Joe Wagner
    January 7, 2025

    Made this today, and definitely a keeper. I added a little salt, since my palate demanded it.

    I’ve tried other recipes for chili sauce, but this is the best.

    Regardless of everything else, you neglected to mention the best use for this sauce: french fries!

    Joe

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 7, 2025

      That’s so awesome Joe, thank you! Actually I do mention that you can use it as a condiment but yeah, french fries rock 🙂

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply
  2. Charlamane
    January 7, 2025

    I swear we’re on the same wavelength! I ran out of chili sauce for a meatball recipe and didn’t have the time to run to the store to buy it. I went to Google and did a quick search and there you were!

    I cannot believe how easy chili sauce is to make at home! I had everything on hand and it took maybe a minute. I think it took longer to grab it from the pantry versus actually making it!

    I’ll never buy storebought again!

    Reply
    1. Lori
      January 7, 2025

      I’m in my brain (as I tell my husband LOL). So happy you found my recipe! We’ve been using this for decades as it’s so easy and super inexpensive!

      Best Kitchen Wishes!

      Reply

Welcome!

I’m Lori, The Kitchen Whisperer®! Let me help you tame the kitchen one bite at a time.

More about Lori

Let’s be friends

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Legend


AF Air Fryer B Base Recipes BBQ BBQ Method FM Freezer Meals IP Instant Pot MP Meal Prep O Oven Method PF Party Foods SC Slow Cooker S Smoker Method

Deliciousness Delivered.

Sign up to receive delicious recipes, kitchen tips and weekly menus (bacon, pizza, & BBQ oh my!) straight to your inbox.

Click to Subscribe
Text: this week's menu

Subscribe for delicious new recipes, kitchen tips & weekly menus

Join the TKW Family

What’s trending on TKW

  • Best Super Soft and Chewy Hoagie Rolls
  • Mom’s Classic Easy Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – The Best Recipe!
  • The Ultimate Slow Baked Boneless Short Ribs Recipe
  • Authentic Belgian Waffle Recipe
  • Best Ever Pork Roast and Sauerkraut
  • Nonna Approved Authentic Italian Wedding Soup
  • The Best Portabella Mushroom Veggie Burgers
  • 50 Easy Meatless Recipes for Lent
  • Easy and Juicy Cornish Game Hens
Back to Top
Recipe Index
Instagram feed
Contact
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Amazon