A recipe for homemade Sambal Oelek, the classic chili paste made with chili peppers, vinegar and salt, ideal for seasoning noodle dishes and so much more.
Sambal Oelek Recipe
We know you all love sriracha - Homemade Sriracha, anyone? - but have you cooked with Sambal Oelek chili paste? Perhaps it is time to begin.
Mike's Recipe Highlights
- My recipe keeps making Sambal Oelek simple and easy to make at home. I always say, "fresh is always best!" It has much more vibrant and authentic flavor compared to what you get in grocery stores.
- While Thai red peppers are traditional, I offer alternatives like cayenne, red serrano, or red jalapeno peppers so you can adjust to your heat preferences and peppers you have available.
- I'll show you how you can use it as more than just a condiment, like as a base for other sauces and dishes. It's so versatile!
What is Sambal Oelek?
While Sriracha is distinctly Thai, Sambal Oelek is Indonesian, and it is essentially a raw chili paste made from ground chili peppers. It uses only simple ingredients, traditionally red chili peppers, vinegar and salt.
It can be used as a base to make sambals and other sauces, and works best when used more as a spicy condiment or flavoring ingredient than as a direct sauce or hot sauce.
A "sambal" actually refers to any chili sauce or paste that is made from a variety of chili peppers, with any number of other ingredients added in for flavor. Any chili sauce or paste would be called sambal.
Featured Reader Comment
From Bonvivant: "This is a simple yet mighty preparation. Outstanding use of all of the red hot chiles in the garden. Made a great marinade for char grilled chicken skewers. Delicious."
What Does Sambal Oelek Mean?
The word "sambal" is an Indonesian word referring to a sauce made primarily with chili peppers. "Oelek" (or sambal olek or sambal ulek) refers to a mortar and pestle.
Hence, Sambal Oelek is Indonesian for a chili sauce ground with a mortar and pestle.
Sambal Oelek Ingredients
Thai red peppers would be optimal for making sambal oelek at home, but you can use other chilies.
If you can't find Thai peppers, or if they are too hot for you, try cayenne peppers, red serranos, or red jalapeno peppers. Of course there are many other options, but these particular peppers work the best in order of descending heat levels.
How to Make Sambal Oelek
Making Sambal Oelek is very simple. Add your chili peppers, vinegar and salt to a food processor, blender, or other grinder. A Molcajete is a great option here.
Next, process or mash the mixture until a coarse paste forms.
Add the resulting chili paste, Sambal Oelek, to a jar and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.
There are variations, of course. A tour of the web will find other ingredients added to Sambal Oelek, such as garlic, lime juice, rice vinegar and more, though at some point, with such additions, the paste stops being Sambal Oelek and becomes something else.
This is what Sambal Oelek is for, to be used as a base, a springboard to new and interesting flavors. I've also seen recipes with the paste cooked down a bit.
I suppose this would mellow it out, but traditionally the paste is simply ground with a mortar and pestle, though you can use a food processor to achieve the same effect, of course.
You can find sambal oelek in stores. The most popular brand I see is from Huy Fong Foods. I'm here to show you how to make it at home, though. Much better!
Serving Ideas for Sambal Oelek
In truth, Sambal Oelek works great as a simple way to preserve your peppers. The salt and vinegar will let you keep them a long time. Pop it into the fridge and pull it out to swirl into any sort of soup or stew, anything in a crock pot or slow cooker.
Swirl it up into a bowl of hot noodles with some soy sauce and fish sauce and you have a super simple lunch. I use it to make my own homemade Spicy Ramen Noodles or delicious dipping sauces.
I used it just last night by adding a couple tablespoons to a traditional pesto, then tossed it with noodles. Topped it with some seared salmon and BOOM! Quick, easy dinner with just the right touch of spice.
Sambal Oelek Vs. Sriracha
Sambal oelek is more of a base recipe compared to sriracha. Sriracha is sweeter and usually has more vinegar included in the recipe.
Sambal oelek, on the other hand, is usually thicker and contains fewer ingredients. Because it is less processed, it is often much spicier than your typical sriracha.
See my Homemade Sriracha Recipe for more information about sriracha.
Sambal Oelek Substitutes
You have several options to substitute for sambal oelek in recipes. None of these will duplicate the flavors, but each can work in a pinch.
Try using the following:
- Sriracha - often the best substitution
- Harissa - it will alter the final flavor of your dish, but can still be rather tasty
- Chinese Chili Sauce or Paste
- Any Basic Chili Paste or Chili-Garlic Paste
- Gochujang - has a deeper, more fermented flavor
Storage Information
Sambal oelek will last 2-3 months or longer in a sealed container in the refrigerator due to the acidity.
You can also freeze it in freezer containers for up to 6 months. I like to freeze it in an ice cube tray for small useable portions.
This Recipe Is In our Cookbook - FLAVOR MADNESS
Did you know that you can find this recipe in our new cookbook FLAVOR MADNESS? It's waiting for you on PAGE 44.
Recommended Products
These kitchen tools will help you make sambal oelek and other chili pastes easily at home. These are all tools I use personally.
- Vitamix A3500 Blender (Amazon affiliate link, my friends)
- Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale (Amazon affiliate link, my friends)
- Mortar and Pestle Set (Amazon affiliate link, my friends)
Here are a Few Recipe Suggestions for Sambal Oelek
- Spicy Thai Curry Chicken Soup
- Sweet Potato Soup
- Beef Rendang (Indonesian Beef Stew)
- Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
- Mie Goreng (Indonesian Stir Fry Noodles)
- Phall Curry (Extra Hot Curry)
- See my Indonesian Recipes
Time to make the Sambal Oelek! Let me know how YOU use it.
Learn more about How to Make Chili Paste.
Other Popular Chili Sauce Recipes
- Sweet Chili-Garlic Hot Sauce
- Mojo Picon - Canarian Red Pepper Sauce
- Bravas Sauce (Salsa Brava)
- Sambal Matah
- Sambal Terasi (Indonesian Chili Sauce with Shrimp Paste)
- Ssamjang (Spicy Korean Soybean Paste)
Check out more Hot Sauce Recipes or learn more about How to Make Hot Sauce.
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Sambal Oelek Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound red chili peppers, stems removed Thai is traditional, but red jalapenos, serranos and cayenne peppers are good substitutes
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon salt
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or other grinder. A Molcajete is a great option here.
- Grind until a coarse paste forms. You can strain out some of the excess liquid if you'd like.
- Add to a jar and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
This recipe was updated on 1/29/25 to include new photos and video. It was originally published on 9/28/16.
Theresia lans says
Can I put it in jars and waterbath it and safe it in my pantry
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Theresia, if you'd like to can/jar this with a water bath, check the ph first. It is best if it is 3.5 or below for home canning/jarring. If not, you can add in a bit more vinegar to lower the acidity.
Theresia lans says
Thanks I appreciate your reply
Simone says
Is the store bought version cooked is that why it keeps longer and is darker in colour than the one in the picture for this recipe ? Needing to get regular quantities for a recipe on my new menu and it’s proving expensive and difficult to get so figure we’ll make it - thanks
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Simone, as it is basically a chili paste, you can definitely cook it if you'd like and it will darken. It can also darken from the types of peppers used. For your menu, you can experiment with pepper types as well as using fresh vs. cooked Sambal Oelek and see what works best for you. Let me know how it turns out! I'd love to hear.
Robert says
I mix a teaspoon of sambal oelek with a generous dollop of heavy cream in a shot glass to make a delicious steak sauce.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great idea, Robert! I love that. Will certainly try it.
Magdalene Heimermann says
Do you cut stems before proceeding?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Magdalene, yes, remove the stems first. Enjoy!
Tim says
Hey Mike, what's your thoughts on using a fermented pepper mash.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
You can use a ferment for this, no problem. I think you'd have a great recipe there.
Yana Karim says
Hi Mike. Thanks for the awesome tips. I'm from Malacca and our 'Sambal Belacan' uses 'Belacan' (traditional Malacca shrimp paste) and Kaffir lime juice. The uncooked sambal only lasts about a week in the fridge. I'm trying to make it safe for shelf storage for gifts and maybe to sell later. Will try out your tips.
Also, may I know where you bought the cute little jar bottle in this post? Thanks
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Yana! Yours sounds delicious! I found these jars at a local store, but I'm pretty sure you can find some online. I hope you can find them! Take care.
Robert says
First use a food processor for the chilis. Put Chili's in a pot with garlic cloves and vinegar. Cook it a while with vinegar, salt and a pinch of sugar. Then run through blender. That will make it last for monthes. And yes I put in jars.
Miss Food Fairy says
I'm looking forward to trying this Sambel Oelek, it seems little lighter in colour than I'm used to but it will work well with my dumplings! 🙂 Thanks Mike & Patty for sharing -pinning for later
https://missfoodfairy.com/2018/03/06/melbourne-prosecco-festival-2018/
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks so much!
Mogie says
Why do the jalapenos need to be red? Is there a taste difference between green jalapenos and red ones?
REPLY: Mogie, the red are the ripest and a bit sweeter. You CAN use green jalapenos, though you won't get the vibrant red color. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
DaveR says
Three or four tablespoons of Sambal Oelek mixed into 1-1/2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef makes delicious burgers. I also enjoy adding a teaspoon or so to my breakfast omelette. The store-bought Sambal has become a staple in our household. Now I look forward to making it fresh.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, DaveR! Hoping you enjoy it.
Judi says
I use it on/in everything. Tonight I stirred some into baby Brussels sprouts with balsamic sauce. Can't live without it♡
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Outstanding!
Renee says
Can I proceed this in a water bath? Or will that change the flavor too much?
REPLY: Renee, I believe you should be able to. It might slightly cook the mixture, but some people cook theirs anyway. I think you'd be OK. Check the ph. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Florentina says
Wow, although I love spicy food, I fear this is too hot for me 😛 maybe used in small, very small quantities 😛
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Florentina, you can easily dial back the heat by using milder peppers.
Yo Sumartojo says
Re: Sambal Oelek
The word "oelek" (this is an old spelling for "ulek" which in Javanese means "crushing" in a mortar and pestle. Sambal means "hot sauce".
I add a little bit of palm sugar to the "Sambal ulek". Another popular "Sambal" is "Sambal terasi" consisting of chili pepper, salt and shrimp paste ("terasi"). Almost all Javanese know this traditional Sambal.
I am experimenting to make "Sambal" for my friends with different ingredients (Habanero, chili, jalapeño peppers, etc. with cranberry, peach, mango, palm sugar, Kaffir lime leaf, fish sauce, etc.)
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds like some very fun experimenting!