Sambal Oelek - A Guide To The Perfect Chili Paste

Whether you're a lover of spicy food or not, there's no denying that sambal oelek is having a moment. This chili-based sauce is popping up on menus all over the world, and home cooks are reaching for it more and more often to add a touch of heat to their favorite dishes. But what exactly is sambal oelek? And how can you use it at home? Let's find out.

Jump to:

• What Is Sambal Oelek?
• The History Of Sambal Oelek 
• Sambal Oelek Ingredients and Equipment
• Sriracha vs Sambal Oelek vs Chili Garlic Sauce: Which One packs the Most Heat?
• Sambal Oelek Uses
• Buying And Storing Sambal Oelek
• Substitutes For Sambal Oelek
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap Up: Sambal Oelek
• Recipe

What Is Sambal Oelek?

Sambal oelek is a condiment made from ground chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. It originated in Indonesia but is now popular all over Southeast Asia.

The name "sambal oelek" comes from the Javanese phrase "oelek [or ulek] sambal," which means "to pound or to grind". Traditionally, sambal ulek is made using a pestle and mortar, but nowadays it's just as common to find it made in a blender or food processor. 

The basic ingredients of sambal oelek are chili peppers, vinegar, and salt, but many recipes also call for garlic, ginger, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and sugar.

The proportion of chili peppers to the other ingredients varies depending on the recipe, but as a general rule of thumb, the more hot peppers you use, the spicier the chili paste will be. 

This chili sauce can be used in all sorts of dishes, both cooked and raw. It's commonly used as a condiment for nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) or lontong (rice cakes), but it can also be added to stews and curries for an extra kick of flavor.

In Malaysia and Singapore, sambal oelek is often used as a dipping sauce for satay chicken skewers. And in Thailand, it's not uncommon to find it served with grilled fish or mixed into som tam (a green papaya salad).

The History Of Sambal Oelek 

It is thought to originate from the highlands of West Sumatra in Indonesia. The spicy sauce was originally made as a way to preserve fresh chilies.

In the past, it was common for families to make large batches of the sauce at the end of the growing season, which would then last them throughout the year. It was (and still is) often eaten with rice and other dishes as a way to add some extra flavor and spice. 

Sambal Oelek Ingredients and Equipment

The main ingredient in sambal oelek recipe is, of course, chilies! The type of chili pepper that is used will determine the heat level of the sambal oelek.

Ingredients:

• Thai chili peppers: Also known as bird's eye chili, these small but mighty peppers pack a serious punch of heat. You can substitute dried chili flakes or dried chiles if you can't find them fresh.
• Rice vinegar: This light, mild vinegar is the perfect counterbalance to the heat of the chili peppers. It will also help to preserve the vibrant red color of the sambal oelek.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is key for a truly delicious sambal oelek. Use a microplane grater to get a fine paste.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger is another key ingredient in sambal oelek. It gives the paste a slightly earthy flavor and helps to cut through the heat of the chili peppers.
• Shallots: A small amount of shallot adds a touch of sweetness to the sambal oelek.
• Salt: A little salt helps to bring out all the flavors in the sambal oelek and prevents it from tasting flat.
• Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens up the flavors of the sambal oelek and helps to balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps to round out the flavors of the sambal oelek.

Equipment:

• Molcajete: A molcajete is a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle used for grinding spices. If you don't have one, you can use a blender or food processor instead. Just be sure to pulse the ingredients, rather than blending them into a smooth paste.
• Food Processor or a Blender: If you don't have a molcajete, you can use a food processor or blender to make your sambal oelek.

Sriracha vs Sambal Oelek vs Chili Garlic Sauce: Which One packs the Most Heat?

When it comes to chili sauces, there are a few factors that contribute to how spicy they are. The first is the type of chili pepper that is used. The second factor is how the pepper is prepared.

If it has other ingredients to balance out the heat. Finally, the third factor is whether or not the seeds are removed. The seeds contain the majority of the capsaicin, which is what makes peppers spicy. 

With that in mind, let's take a look at Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, and Chili Garlic sauce to see which one packs the most heat. 

Sriracha

Sriracha is made from red jalapeño peppers that are ground into a smooth paste. The seeds are removed before grinding, which makes this sauce less spicy than if they were left in.

However, Sriracha still has a significant amount of spice due to the high concentration of capsaicin in jalapeño peppers. This sauce has a Scoville rating of 1,000-2,500, making it perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice in their food without being overwhelmed by it.

Sambal Oelek

This chili sauce is made from hot red chile peppers that are coarsely ground with no seeds removed. This sauce has a considerably higher level of spiciness than Sriracha due to the variable heat of the chilies used. It is ideal for those who enjoy a bit more heat in their food and who don't mind a bit of texture in their sauce. 

Chili Garlic Sauce

Chili garlic sauce is made from fresh red chili peppers that are finely chopped with no seeds removed. Similarly depending on the type of chili used the Scoville rating can change, chili garlic sauce is perfect for those who want an intense level of spice and garlicky flavor and don't mind a bit of texture in their sauce. 

Sambal Oelek Uses

It can be used as a condiment, a dipping sauce, or even a cooking ingredient. Here are some of the various uses.

Condiment

It can be used as a condiment to add spice to any dish. It is often used as a condiment for rice, noodles, and other traditional Indonesian recipes. It can also be added to burgers, sandwiches, and wraps to give them an extra spicy kick.

Dipping Sauce

It makes an excellent dipping sauce for both cooked and raw vegetables. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for meat and seafood. It is often served as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, chicken wings, and dumplings. 

Cooking Ingredient

It can also be used as a cooking ingredient to add spice to dishes. It is often used in soups, stews, curries, and stir-fries. It can also be used to marinate meat or seafood before cooking. 

Buying And Storing Sambal Oelek

Buying

When buying Sambal Oelek chili paste, it is important to choose a product that is made from fresh ingredients. Read the label carefully to make sure that the paste does not contain any preservatives or artificial flavors. If possible, try to buy Sambal Oelek that is handmade, as this will usually be of a higher quality than the mass-produced varieties.

Storing

Once you have bought your paste, it is important to store it correctly so that it does not go off. The chili paste can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months. Always make sure to screw the lid on tightly so that the paste does not dry out.

Substitutes For Sambal Oelek

If you can't find sambal oelek (a Southeast Asian chili paste) at your local grocery stores, don't worry – there are plenty of substitutes that will give your dish a similar flavor. Here's a list of 5 best substitutes:

1. Chili garlic sauce: this sauce is very similar to sambal oelek in terms of both flavor and heat level. It is made with hot
2. peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt, and has a slightly sweet taste.
3. Sriracha sauce: this popular sauce is also made with chili peppers, but has a sweeter flavor due to the addition of sugar and vinegar. It is also slightly less spicy than sambal oelek.
4. Hot sauce: there are many different types of hot sauces available, but most contain chili peppers, vinegar, and salt as their main ingredients. Some hot sauces are also quite sweet, while others are very spicy.
5. Tabasco sauce: this sauce gets its distinctive flavor from the use of tabasco peppers, which are very spicy. It also contains vinegar and salt.
6. Red pepper flakes: these can be used to add spice to any dish, and are especially good in sauces or marinades. They are made from dried chili peppers, and can be quite spicy.

People Also Ask [FAQs]

Wrap Up: Sambal Oelek

• Whether you like your food mild or fiery hot, there's no doubt that sambal oelek is worth adding to your arsenal of sauces. This versatile condiment can be used in all sorts of dishes such as fried rice and noodle dishes to add a touch of heat and flavor.
• In this post, we did a comparison of Sriracha vs Sambal Oelek vs Chili Garlic Sauce. All three sauces are great options for adding some extra spice to your spicy recipes but each one has its own unique flavor and level of heat.
• There are many uses for sambal oelek. It makes an excellent condiment, dipping sauce, or cooking ingredient. If you like spice, then this sauce is definitely worth trying.

Recipe