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10-Minute Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste (Better Than Walmart!)

December 28, 2020

10-Minute Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste (Better Than Walmart!)

This 10-minute Sambal Oelek recipe takes red chili peppers, vinegar, salt, garlic, and lime to make the famous Indonesian chili paste that’s absolutely bursting with flavor! We guarantee it tastes better than the storebought sambal oelek you’ll find in Walmart!

Table of Contents hide
1 What is Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste?
2 What You Need to Make Better-Than-Walmart Sambal Oelek
3 How to Make Better-Than-Walmart Sambal Oelek
4 How to Use Sambal Oelek Chili Paste:
5 Looking for More Easy Dip Recipes?
6 10-Minute Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste (Better Than Walmart!)
6.1 Ingredients
6.2 Instructions
6.3 Notes

What is Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste?

In the Indonesian language, the word “sambal” means chili paste, and the word “oelek” means ground with a moljacete. Traditionally, sambal oelek is made with freshly ground red chili peppers and as such, is often spicier than the typical chili sauce like Sriracha.

When I lived in Indonesia, my housekeeper made sambal oelek using a moljacete fresh every week. And let me tell you: we’d eat every bit of her delicious sambal by the end of the week! Trust me, once you try making your own sambal oelek, there’s no going back! This Indonesian red chili paste adds so much flavor to anything you add it to, and is SO easy to make.

Of course, you can buy Sambal Oelek from your local grocery store like Walmart. But, once you realize how simple and quick it is to make on your own Sambal Oelek, there’s no reason you’ll buy the storebought red chili paste ever again!

Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

What You Need to Make Better-Than-Walmart Sambal Oelek

  • 1 pound red chili peppers , washed & de-stemmed
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • ¾ tbsp palm sugar (sub brown sugar)

How to Make Better-Than-Walmart Sambal Oelek

  1. Heat oil in a wok or skillet on medium-high heat. Add in red chili peppers and garlic. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and chili peppers are soft.
  2. Remove from heat and transfer the ingredients into a molcajete. Add all the remaining ingredients and grind until a rough paste forms. Alternatively, you can add all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until roughly combined.
  3. Add sambal oelek into a jar and cover tightly. Refrigerate the red chili paste until ready to use. ENJOY!

PRO TIP: Make double batches of Sambal Oelek, one to eat as is and one to make Sambal Aioli!

How to Use Sambal Oelek Chili Paste:

Our homemade sambal oelek pairs exceptionally well with various recipe, including:

  • fried rice
  • ramen
  • pad thai
  • dumplings
  • stir-fry
  • rice bowls
  • burgers (also works great with Sambal Aioli!)
  • and more!

Looking for More Easy Dip Recipes?

  • Game Day Favorite Herbed Garlic Dip (GF, DF, VG)
  • Extra Cheesy Hot Nacho Dip (GF, V)
  • Holiday Favorite Creamy Cranberry Dip (GF, DF, VG)
  • The Best Ever Dips: Creamy Avocado & Hummus (GF, DF, VG)
  • 7-Ingredient Simple Marinara Dip (GF, DF, VG)
  • Sambal Aioli (Hot Chili Aioli) Dipping Sauce

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If you make this Sambal Oelek recipe, please drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think! Or take a picture and share it on Instagram by tagging @dwellbymichelle!

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10-Minute Sambal Oelek Red Chili Paste (Better Than Walmart!)

DWELL by Michelle
This 10-minute Sambal Oelek recipe takes red chili peppers, vinegar, salt, garlic, and lime to make the famous Indonesian red chili paste that's absolutely bursting with flavor! We guarantee it tastes better than the storebought sambal oelek you'll find in Walmart! Our homemade sambal oelek pairs exceptionally well with Asian fried rice, noodles, and much more. And it's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Dips
Cuisine Indonesian
Servings 16 servings
Calories 18 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound red chili peppers , washed & de-stemmed
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • ¾ tbsp palm sugar (sub brown sugar)

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a wok or skillet on medium-high heat. Add in chili peppers and garlic. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and chili peppers are soft.
  • Remove from heat and transfer the ingredients into a molcajete. Add all the remaining ingredients and grind until a rough paste forms. Alternatively, you can add all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until roughly combined.
  • Add sambal oelek into a jar and cover tightly. Refrigerate until ready to use. ENJOY!

Notes

Try our creamy dip variation of this Sambal Oelek -> Sambal Aioli  
Keyword better than walmart sambal oelek, how to make sambal, indonesian chili sauce, resep sambal, sambal oelek, sambal oelek recipe, sambal ulek

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a small portion of the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting DWELL by Michelle! Please read my disclosure policy.

in Appetizer, Asian, By Course, By Cuisine, By Diet, Dairy-Free, Dips & Sauces, Gluten-Free, Indonesian, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian # better than walmart sambal oelek, how to make sambal, indonesian chili sauce, resep sambal, sambal oelek, sambal oelek recipe, sambal ulek

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Comments

  1. Sabine says

    April 13, 2021 at 1:40 am

    5 stars
    wonderful recipe, it really goes well with just about anything.

    Reply
  2. Stefanie says

    March 19, 2021 at 6:43 am

    5 stars
    Such an easy recipe that tastes even better than the jars I normally buy, and I’ve put this sambal oelek on everything!

    Reply
  3. Rose says

    March 10, 2021 at 2:11 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for this nice recipe. I loved it!

    Reply
  4. arvilya says

    January 6, 2021 at 1:59 am

    5 stars
    Very easy and authentic tasting

    Reply
    • dwellbymichelle says

      January 11, 2021 at 2:09 am

      Thank you!! A staple for sure 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jackie says

    January 5, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    5 stars
    HOLY COW this stuff is freaking addicting!! didn’t have a moljacete, but my trusty food processor worked well!

    Reply

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soo we made these FLOURLESS fudgy brownies last we soo we made these FLOURLESS fudgy brownies last week and safe to say.. it’s a winner! ⭐️

anyways, here’s the recipe:
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Mix it all together and bake at 350F for 15-20 min (it will look super fudgy so let cool for at least 30 minutes to set before eating - if you can wait 😉)

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To make, mix:
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ever been to Texas Roadhouse? Ever had their chili ever been to Texas Roadhouse? Ever had their chili? No? Youre missing out! 🤤

We are so lucky to have a Texas roadhouse here in Lawrence..but in case you’ve never been or you’ve never tried their chili, here’s a super simple recipe for you to make a copycat Texas roadhouse chili that taste EXACTLY like you would order at the restaurant!

Quick! Make it before the weather gets too hot 😉 

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