Tangy Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Recipe

Tropical Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Recipe for Zesty Flavors

Tangy and vibrant sweet chilli-pineapple sauce brings a tropical twist to your culinary adventures.

Bursting with bright flavors, this sauce combines the heat of chilli with the luscious sweetness of ripe pineapple.

Each spoonful delivers a complex dance of zesty and fruity notes that instantly awaken your taste buds.

The recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few fresh ingredients and minimal cooking time.

Home cooks can whip up this versatile condiment in less than 15 minutes, perfect for drizzling over grilled meats or using as a dipping sauce.

Bold and exciting, this sauce promises to become a staple in your kitchen repertoire.

Get ready to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences with this irresistible sauce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 90 kcal

Servings: 11

Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Ingredient Mix

For Sweetness and Base:
  • White Sugar: Provides essential sweetness and helps create the glossy sauce texture.
  • Pineapple Juice: Adds natural tropical flavor and fruity undertones, best when freshly squeezed.
For Acidity and Depth:
  • Rice Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances sweetness with tangy brightness, choose based on available pantry ingredient.
  • Tomato Ketchup: Adds subtle umami and rich color complexity.
For Heat and Aromatics:
  • Red Chili Flakes: Delivers spicy kick, adjust quantity for personal heat tolerance.
  • Minced Garlic: Introduces robust savory notes and aromatic depth.
For Thickening and Seasoning:
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, adjust according to personal preference.
  • Cornflour, Cold Water: Creates smooth, glossy sauce consistency and helps bind ingredients together.

Cooking Utensils for Chilli-Pineapple Sauce

  • Large heavy-bottomed pan: Essential for even heat distribution and preventing burning.
  • Measuring cups: Precisely measure sugar, pineapple juice, and vinegar.
  • Measuring spoons: Accurately measure salt and chili flakes.
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Small bowl: Mix cornflour with cold water to create a smooth slurry.
  • Cutting board: Mince garlic with ease.
  • Sharp knife: Finely chop garlic.
  • Sterilized glass bottle: Store the finished sauce safely.

How to Make Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce

  • Sweet Tropical Base

A delightful sauce combining tangy and spicy flavors that dance on your taste buds. This vibrant condiment brings together pineapple’s sunshine and chili’s bold kick.

  • Flavor Explosion

Heat transforms simple ingredients into a magical mixture. White sugar caramelizes while pineapple juice and vinegar create a zesty foundation. Red chili flakes and garlic introduce a spicy awakening.

  • Texture Magic

Cornflour creates a smooth, glossy finish. Gently swirling the liquid transforms the sauce from watery to perfectly clingy. Watch as the mixture transforms into a luxurious coating for your favorite dishes.

  • Cooling and Preserving

Allow the sauce to cool completely. The natural cooling process helps the sauce develop deeper, richer flavors. Transfer into a clean glass container with a tight seal.

  • Culinary Adventure

Refrigerate and enjoy within two weeks. This versatile sauce elevates grilled meats, stir-fries, and even serves as a spectacular dipping companion for appetizers.

Adjusting Flavor in Pineapple Sauce

  • Flavor Boosters: Add fresh pineapple chunks during cooking for extra fruity depth and natural sweetness.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust red chili flakes quantity to make the sauce mild or fiery hot, perfect for personal heat preferences.
  • Storage Wisdom: This homemade sauce stays fresh in sealed glass jars for up to two weeks when refrigerated properly, making meal prep a breeze.
  • Versatile Serving Ideas: Drizzle over grilled meats, use as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, or mix into stir-fries for an instant flavor explosion.
  • Ingredient Swap Magic: Replace white sugar with honey or brown sugar for a more complex caramelized undertone that complements the sweet-spicy profile.

Serving the Sweet Chilli-Pineapple Sauce

  • Tropical Party Platter: Arrange crispy chicken wings, spring rolls, or shrimp skewers around a small bowl of this sweet chilli-pineapple sauce for dipping. Guests will love the vibrant flavor combination.
  • Burger Bliss Boost: Spread this zesty sauce on grilled burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, or use as a tangy glaze for barbecue meats. The sweet and spicy profile elevates classic dishes.
  • Salad Dressing Delight: Drizzle the sauce over tropical salads with grilled chicken, mixed greens, and fresh pineapple chunks. It adds a punchy, bright accent that transforms ordinary salads into exciting meals.
  • Marinade Magic: Use the sauce as a quick marinade for chicken, tofu, or seafood before grilling. The combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes creates an irresistible flavor profile that makes every bite memorable.

Save and Store Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Thoughtfully

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your sweet chilli-pineapple sauce fresh and delicious with these easy tips.
  • Chilled Sanctuary: Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight glass container for maximum flavor retention, lasting up to 2 weeks without losing its vibrant taste profile.
  • Flavor Preservation Hack: Allow the sauce to cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain its glossy, smooth texture.
  • Portioning Pro Tip: Consider dividing the sauce into smaller containers for convenient use, preventing repeated temperature changes that might compromise quality.
  • Freezing Strategy: For extended storage, freeze the sauce in silicone ice cube trays, creating perfect portion-sized blocks that can be thawed quickly for instant flavor boosts in stir-fries, marinades, or dipping sauces.
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Tangy Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Recipe

Tangy Chilli-Pineapple Sauce Recipe


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4.7 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Homemade sweet chilli-pineapple sauce blends tropical pineapple with spicy chilli peppers for a zesty condiment. Complex flavor profiles dance across palates, promising delicious adventures you will crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups (354 ml) white sugar
  • 1 cup (237 ml) pineapple juice
  • ½ cup (118 ml) rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced garlic
  • 12 tablespoons (1530 ml) red chili flakes
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) cornflour
  • 4 tbsps (60 ml) cold water
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt

Instructions

  1. Liquid Foundation: Combine pineapple juice, white sugar, vinegar, and salt in a sturdy saucepan, heating to a vigorous boil over medium flame while stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar and integrate flavors.
  2. Flavor Enrichment: Introduce red chili flakes, minced garlic, and tomato ketchup into the bubbling mixture, maintaining a steady boil to develop a robust and complex taste profile.
  3. Thickening Strategy: Craft a seamless cornflour slurry by whisking cornflour with cold water until perfectly smooth, then gradually fold into the simmering sauce while continuously stirring to prevent lumps and ensure uniform consistency.
  4. Texture Refinement: Reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer, watching it transform into a glossy, luxurious condiment that will naturally thicken and intensify as it cools.
  5. Preservation Protocol: Remove from heat, let the sweet chilli-pineapple sauce cool completely, then transfer to a sterilized glass container, sealing tightly and refrigerating to preserve its vibrant flavors and smooth texture for future culinary applications.

Notes

  • Boost Flavor Intensity: Add extra red chili flakes for a spicier kick or reduce for a milder sauce, allowing personal heat preference to shine.
  • Perfect Cornflour Technique: Whisk cornflour with cold water meticulously to eliminate lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth sauce consistency every time.
  • Storage Wisdom: Use sterilized glass containers to preserve sauce quality, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks without compromising taste.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain consistent medium heat while stirring to prevent burning and achieve a glossy, professional-looking sauce with balanced flavors.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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