Today we are making chili oil. This chili oil is so delicious and will give any dish an extra kick of spice and flavor! Don’t be intimated by this recipe, it is actually super easy! I suggest taking a trip to the local Asian market to pick up all the spices because they will be cheaper there!
There are a wide variety of chili oils available at the grocery store, especially at Asian grocery stores, but it is hard to find a clean chili oil that is preservative free and made with good oils. A favorite chili oil in this household and many other households is the LaoGanMa Chili oil. We indulge on that chili oil a lot because it is so delicious. Looking at the ingredients though, it is soybean oil based (which is an inflammatory oil) and contains many other chemical additives. This chili oil is avocado oil based with clean ingredients you hear everyday and can pronounce!
This recipe, like many others, comes from my parents. They make it all the time because it goes with so many dishes! We make a batch of it every other week or so and keep it in the fridge to use as we please.
Here’s a small list of popular items you can pair chili oil with. This list doesn’t even scratch the surface of what you can add chili oil to.
- Dumplings
- Wontons
- Rice/Fried Rice
- Any noodle dish
- Any protein, use as a marinade (chicken, shrimp, tofu etc.)
- Cucumbers
- Over a fried egg
- Sushi
- Egg rolls
- Some may even say pizza
Key ingredients you need for chili oil:
- Avocado Oil
- Spices! Each and every spice is important and together they create a symphony of flavor!
- Ginger adds a slightly peppery and sweet flavor to the chili oil. I suggest using fresh ginger sliced in pretty big chunks as it adds more flavor than ground ginger.
- Crushed red pepper flakes are an obvious one here. You can pick up Chinese crushed red pepper flakes at the Asian grocery store, but normal crushed red pepper flakes will work too!
- Chinese 5 spice adds a nice earthy flavor, and it definitely makes a difference in this recipe.
- Szechuan pepper adds the numbing sensation to this chili oil. You will know what I mean once you make it!
- Toasted sesame seeds add a nice crunch! It is essential that the sesame seeds are toasted before hand, because it adds so much more flavor.
- Bay leaves– just put this in, trust me.
- Star anise– See above.
- Cinnamon– typically you should add a cinnamon stick but ground cinnamon works as well!
Homemade Chili Oil
Ingredients
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 1 slice of ginger
- 4 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp Chinese 5 spice
- 2 tsp Szechuan pepper ground
- 3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 star anise
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine the avocado oiland ginger in a pot and heat the oil to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the oil is heatingcombine the rest of the ingredients in an oven safe bowl.
- ENSURE that the oil is no higher than 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or else the spices will burn. Pour the oil over the spices, and heat that sizzle!
- Let the chili oil cool, and it will be ready to serve.
- Store in an air sealed jar. This will last for 2 weeks in the pantry, or 6 weeks in the fridge.
