Zesty Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce Recipe for Tropical Kicks

Sizzling summer barbecues come alive with this irresistible sweet chili pineapple sauce that turns ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Tangy tropical fruits blend seamlessly with spicy chili peppers, creating a sauce that dances across your taste buds.

The combination delivers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that will make your meals pop with vibrant flavor.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to complement the others, ensuring a harmonious sauce that enhances grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.

Home cooks love how simple ingredients can create such a complex and exciting condiment.

This versatile sauce adds a zesty kick to any plate, making meals more interesting and delicious.

Get ready to elevate your cooking with this game-changing sauce that promises to become a staple in your kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 80 kcal

Servings: 5

Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce Ingredient List

• Pineapple: Provides sweet and tangy foundation, choose ripe and fragrant fruit for maximum flavor intensity.
• Water: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and control sauce consistency.
• Vinegar: Adds bright acidity and balances sweetness of the sauce.
• Honey: Creates natural sweetness and helps thicken the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces deep umami and rich depth to the sauce.

• Ginger: Brings warm, spicy undertone and adds complexity to the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides robust savory notes and traditional depth of flavor.

• Cornstarch: Ensures smooth, glossy texture and helps sauce cling to ingredients.
• Chili Flakes: Delivers exciting heat and vibrant color to the sauce.
• Salt: Amplifies overall flavor profile and balances other ingredients.

Equipment for Mixing This Tangy Sauce

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pot for cooking the sauce ingredients together.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing cornstarch with water to create a thickening slurry.
• Measuring cups: Precise measurements for water, honey, and other liquid ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: For accurate portioning of spices like chili flakes and salt.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring the sauce while it simmers.
• Whisk: Helps blend cornstarch mixture smoothly into the sauce.

Steps to Create a Bold, Sweet-Spicy Flavor

• Tropical Base Setup The pineapple mixture gets ready in a cozy saucepan with a gentle warmth, blending vibrant tropical flavors and aromatic seasonings.
• Simmering Magic The liquid ingredients dance together, softening and melding their unique characteristics while creating a rich flavor foundation.
• Thickening Transformation A magical cornstarch mixture transforms the liquid into a silky, clingy sauce with perfect body and shine.
• Spicy Finale Chili flakes swirl into the sauce, adding a playful kick that tingles the taste buds and brings excitement to the blend.
• Cooling Perfection The sauce rests and settles, allowing its flavors to harmonize and its texture to become luxuriously smooth and inviting.

Flavor Pairing Tips and Adjustments

• Swap chili flakes with fresh jalapeños or sriracha for a personalized spice kick that matches your taste preference.
• Transfer cooled sauce to sterilized glass jars and refrigerate for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.
• Puree the sauce in a blender for a silkier texture, perfect for drizzling over grilled meats or using as a dipping sauce.
• Experiment by adding a splash of rum or orange liqueur during simmering to introduce deeper, more sophisticated taste notes.
• Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for alternative sweetness, maintaining the sauce's delicious balance of sweet and spicy.

Serving This Sauce Over Mains or Appetizers

• Serve with Grilled Protein: Drizzle this vibrant sweet chili pineapple sauce over grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a tangy tropical flavor boost.
• Dip and Spread Delight: Use as a delicious dipping sauce for spring rolls, wontons, or fresh vegetable sticks, adding a zesty kick to appetizers.
• Marinade Magic: Brush the sauce onto meats before grilling or use as a quick marinade to infuse dishes with sweet and spicy Hawaiian-inspired notes.
• Rice Bowl Enhancer: Pour over rice bowls with stir-fried vegetables and protein to transform a simple meal into a restaurant-quality culinary experience.

How to Bottle or Chill for Later Use

• Refrigerate Smartly: Transfer cooled sauce to an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, maintaining its vibrant flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, allowing you to thaw smaller portions quickly for quick meal enhancement.
• Revive and Refresh: Gently reheat refrigerated sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to restore its original consistency and prevent burning.
• Versatile Pairing Options: Use as a glaze for grilled meats, drizzle over stir-fries, or mix into marinades for an instant flavor boost that transforms simple dishes into culinary delights.

Tropical Sweet Chili Pineapple Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet chili pineapple sauce delivers complex tropical flavors with balanced heat and tangy notes. Drizzle over grilled meats, use as a dipping sauce, or incorporate into marinades for an instant flavor enhancement.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (237 ml) fresh pineapple, finely chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• ¼ cup (60 ml) white vinegar
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) water (for cornstarch)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh ginger, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsps (10 ml) cornstarch
• 1 tsp (5 ml) red chili flakes
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine pineapple chunks, water, white vinegar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic in a medium saucepan, heating over medium flame to initiate flavor melding.
2. Simmering: Allow mixture to gently bubble, stirring periodically, until pineapple softens and becomes translucent, developing a rich, aromatic base.
3. Thickening: Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cool water, then incorporate into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously to ensure uniform consistency and prevent clumping.
4. Seasoning: Introduce red chili flakes and sea salt, maintaining a low simmer to activate spices and deepen flavor profile, cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes until the sauce transforms into a glossy, slightly viscous liquid.
5. Resting: Remove from heat and let the sauce cool at room temperature, allowing natural thickening and flavor concentration to occur, reaching optimal serving consistency within 15-20 minutes.

Notes

• Prevent Burning: Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid sauce sticking or scorching at the bottom of the pan.
• Cornstarch Technique: Mix cornstarch with cool water separately to prevent lumps and ensure smooth sauce thickening.
• Flavor Development: Allow sauce to rest at room temperature after cooking to enhance depth and concentration of flavors.
• Consistency Control: Monitor sauce thickness during cooling; it will naturally thicken within 15-20 minutes off the heat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 80
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg