Is chili sauce and chili paste the same thing?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “Is chili sauce and chili paste the same thing?”, and tell you whether you can use chili sauce instead of chili paste and vice versa. We will also list down some uses of chili sauce and some substitutes for chili paste.
Is chili sauce and chili paste the same thing?
No, chili sauce and chili paste are not the same thing. Chili sauce has a runny consistency while chili paste is more thicker and concentrated.
Chili sauce has other ingredients added to it. It gets its consistency from added moisture which can be either due to water or vinegar.
On the other hand, chili paste mainly only has chilis. It has other ingredients too but the star of the paste is chilis.
Since chili sauce has more moisture, it’s more diluted. It is still very hot but less hot than chili paste. They both have different flavor profiles as well.
Chili sauce is mostly used during cooking or as an add condiment but chili paste is only used as an ingredient while cooking.
Can I use chili sauce instead of chili paste?
As explained above, they both have different flavor profiles and consistencies. Ideally, they should not be used interchangeably unless you really have to and you do not have any other option.
Chili sauce can be simmered down to a more concentrated consistency or you can add other things like chili powder or cayenne pepper to match the heat level of chili paste.
As for using chili paste in place of chili sauce, you can make the chili paste more runny by adding vinegar in it as vinegar is a component of most chili sauces.
What is the shelf life of chili sauce?
Chili sauce has a shelf life of up to 2-3 years if it is left unopened. Once opened, it will stay good for upto 6 months. If you refrigerate it, it will stay fresh longer and the shelf life will increase to up to a year.
Chili sauce can be used for a couple of months after its expiry date but it will lose its taste and quality over time.
How to store chili paste and chili sauce?
When unopened, chili paste and chili sauce can remain good in the pantry in a cool, dry place away from moisture.
Once opened, keep them refrigerated to avoid spoilage.
You can also freeze the chili paste. One efficient way to do this is by freezing the chili paste in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, take out the frozen chili paste cubes and transfer them into a heavy duty freezer bag. Then put the bag back into the freezer.
What are the substitutes for chili paste?
- Ketchup mixed with cayenne powder
- Sriracha sauce
- Tomato sauce with red chili flakes or cayenne powder
- Red chili flakes
How to use chili sauce?
Chili sauce is only good for people who like their food spicy and can handle the heat. Others should try to avoid it because they can get overwhelmed. Chili sauce can be used in a variety of ways. We are listing some of them down below.
Use it as a dip
Chili sauce can be used as a dip for fries, nachos, or just about anything. You can use it as a dip on its own or mix it with mayo to bring the heat level a little down.
Marinate
You can also use chili sauce as a marinade. It gives a nice kick to the chicken or any meat that you are using. Add a yogurt base and other seasonings to a bowl, then add chili sauce according to the level of heat you can handle.
Leave the chicken overnight in the fridge to marinate and soak up all the spiciness and flavor from the chili sauce then cook it the next day.
Amp up your food
You can also add a bit of chili sauce to any dish that you are cooking for an extra kick and heat. For example you can add a bit of it to soup, curry and even salads.
Learn more about chili sauce and chili paste here.
Other FAQs about Chili paste that you may be interested in.
Can I substitute chili paste for curry paste?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Is chili sauce and chili paste the same thing?”, and told you whether you can use chili sauce instead of chili paste and vice versa. We also listed down some uses of chili sauce and some substitutes for chili paste.
