Sambal Oelek

Spice up your culinary repertoire with this fiery and flavorful homemade Sambal Oelek—a traditional Indonesian chili paste that’s bursting with vibrant heat and tangy richness. Made with just three simple ingredients—fresh red chili peppers, white vinegar, and salt—this recipe is incredibly straightforward and preservative-free. The optional addition of sugar allows you to customize the heat-to-sweet balance to your liking. Perfectly chunky in texture, Sambal Oelek can be used as a versatile condiment, adding a bold kick to stir-fries, marinades, soups, and more. Ready in just 15 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is your go-to for an authentic, zesty taste that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to keep the bold flavors on hand.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 250 grams Red chili peppers (preferably Fresno or bird's eye chilies)
• 2 tablespoons White vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the red chili peppers thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel.

Step 2

Remove the stems from the chilies. You can leave the seeds in for extra heat or remove them if you prefer a milder sambal.

Step 3

Roughly chop the chilies into smaller pieces to make them easier to blend or process.

Step 4

Place the chopped chilies into a food processor or blender along with the white vinegar and salt.

Step 5

Blend the mixture into a coarse paste. Avoid over-blending; Sambal Oelek should have a slightly chunky texture.

Step 6

Taste the sambal and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you like a hint of sweetness, add the optional sugar at this stage and blend briefly to combine.

Step 7

Transfer the chili paste to a small saucepan. Heat it over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes to help the flavors meld and slightly thicken the mixture.

Step 8

Remove the sambal from heat and let it cool completely.

Step 9

Once cooled, transfer the Sambal Oelek into an airtight jar or container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(290.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	121.6

Total Fat 1.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2399.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 26.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.3g	0%
Total Sugars 17.5g
Protein 4.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 52.1mg	0%
Iron 1.7mg	0%
Potassium 1910.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 7.4%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 79.3%