Asian Chili Paste is great to have on hand for homemade Asian recipes. Healthy, super affordable and PACKED with flavor.
Dan and I found ourselves sitting across the table from one another a few nights ago at one of our favorite restaurants. Alone. Without children. It was surreal and delightful. We have not been on an official date in months.
As we took turns reaching for the chili paste that sat atop our table, we began to wonder out loud about why we had never made chili paste of our own. At restaurants, we devour it like the apocalypse is tomorrow, so imagine what it must be like to have it in our very own kitchen!
So we formulated a recipe and gave it a whirl. It is deLICIOUS. I cannot wait to throw it into some scrambled eggs tomorrow morning!
If you are a spice freak like I am, then you will not be disappointed in this chili paste. Go to your local grocery store and go crazy picking out the prettiest hot peppers you can find. The peppers I have in my ingredient list are merely suggestions. Cater them to your spicy desires!
HOW TO MAKE ASIAN CHILI PASTE
These are just suggestions, but here are the peppers I started with:
- 2 Serrano chili peppers
- 3 red chili peppers
- 1 Thai chili pepper
- 1 Habanero chili pepper
The above peppers are typically easy to find in most larger grocery stores, but if you encounter difficulty find them, replace with other peppers or check out an Asian foods store!
Remove the stems (keep the seeds!) and cut the peppers into chunks. Add the following to the bowl of a food processor:
- The pepper chunks
- 2 shallots, cut into chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, cut in half
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Juice from 1 lime
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Splash or two of Worcestershire sauce
Pulse until a chunky paste forms. Transfer the paste to a small skillet or saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer for 7 minutes, or until the aroma of garlic is noticeable.
Remove from the heat and let cool. Store covered in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
This recipe makes about 1 cup, which will last you a while unless you are my husband who immediately started eating it as if it WERE SALSA. I know it’s good, but please leave some for me!
CHILI PASTE SUBSTITUTES
If you do not have the 15 minutes or the ingredients it takes to make this delicious chili paste, here are some decent substitutions that will add heat and flavor in a pinch:
- Sriracha sauce
- Your favorite brand of hot sauce
- Add red pepper flakes, chili powder and/or cayenne pepper to a can of tomato paste
- Red pepper paste (1 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp soy sauce + 2 tsp red pepper flakes)
WHAT IS CALABRIAN CHILI PASTE?
Calabrian chili paste is made from calabrian chiles which originate in Calabria, Italy. These peppers are vine-ripened and are deep red in color. They are often infused into oils, pastes and vinegars and are extremely flavorful.
USES FOR CHILI PASTE
Aside from being used as an ingredient in Asian recipes, there are so many other things chili paste tastes great with! Here are a few options:
- Add it to your next bowl of rice or pasta!
- Use it as a spread on your next sandwich or wrap.
- Stir a few teaspoons into your next batch of burgers or brush it over chicken breasts before baking.
- Add a bit to your next batch of chili for an added kick!
- Stir a teaspoon or two into sour cream and dip veggies in it.
- Scramble it into your morning eggs!
- Add it to your Ramen noodle bowl.
FAQ ABOUT CHILI PASTE
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Asian Chili Paste Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 shallots cut into chunks
- 2 serrano chili peppers stems removed and cut into small pieces
- 3 red chili peppers stems removed and cut into small pieces
- 1 hot Thai chili pepper stem removed and cut into small pieces
- 1 Habañero chili pepper stem removed and cut into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic cut in half
- 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp Lime juice
- 3 tbsp canola oil
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the shallots, the Serrano, red chili, Thai and Habanero peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, lime juice, canola oil, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Pulse until a chunky paste forms.
- Pour the paste into a small skillet or saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer for 7 minutes, or until the aroma of the garlic is noticeable. Remove from heat and let cool. Store covered in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator.
We made this recipe with all habanero’s and it was awesome. Thanks I couldn’t find a good habanero paste recipe yours was perfect to turn that into.
That’s awesome! I’m glad that it was enjoyed. Thank you for sharing!
i found it interesting that i downloaded the recipe on 11/23/2013 and the list of ingredients you actually used is different. Can you please clarify?
here is your list on that date
• 6 shallots, peeled
• 1 Tbsp coarse ground black pepper
• 2 Serrano chiles
• 3 red chili peppers
• 3 Thai chiles peppers
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 stalks lemon grass, chopped, white part only
• 2 Tbsp minced ginger
• 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp kosher salt
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp cider vinegar
• 3 Tbsp Canola oil
Also your instructions do not mention cooking:
In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Add just enough oil so the paste mixes well, but remains thick. Check for seasoning
Hi Bernie,
I appreciate the question. However it’s been many years since I published this recipe so I can’t go back and figure out if there were any issues. The recipe hasn’t been updated after it published in January 2016 so I agree it is strange that what you provided looks different if you got that from Pip and Ebby. I’m sorry for the confusion. This is an excellent recipe!
Hi Laura! Not at all! I could definitely smell the heat, but it didn't burn my eyes at all. Let me know how yours turns out!
Megan
My husband would love it if I would make him this–but tell me truly, did the fumes while it was cooking nearly burn your eyeballs out?
Love this!! So many possibilities to use this.
Connie
this looks scrumptious!
It looks fantastic… I don't think I've ever seen it before. What kind of restaurant were you at? Kind of curious! I think I saw something like it at a Thai place?
YUM….can not wait to make this. Used to make Chili paste by just using the peppers blackened and peeled then chop but this looks much tastier. Just started following you. Very glad I did
Thanks