Garlic Chili Oil is a spicy and aromatic condiment made in just minutes by infusing oil with fresh garlic and dried chili flakes. Add a fun, spicy punch to Chili Garlic Noodles, Pot Stickers, Braised Pork Shoulder, rice bowls, tacos and so many dishes!
One of the main reasons I got into cooking and always being in the kitchen, was learning about flavors. You can learn all the techniques you want, but you also need to understand how to pair flavors and tune them the way you like!
This garlic chili oil recipe has a very concentrated warmth and spice to it that makes it a great condiment on noodles, dumplings, or pork. If you love spicy food, this is for you!
Another great way to concentrate flavors is in a confit. Cherry Tomato Confit with Garlic is the perfect spread to add to your charcuterie board.
Try drizzling chili garlic oil over a Cheese Tart with Garlic for even more oomph.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You only need one pan to combine all of the flavors in this easy chili garlic oil recipe.
- With minimal effort and simple ingredients, you'll have a couple weeks' supply of fragrant garlic chili oil! Much better than store-bought chili oils!
- Garlic is a classic flavor, and you really get the vibes in this olive oil mixture, much like a classic Garlic Confit.
Recipe Ingredients
- Garlic: While I always prefer fresh garlic over jarred, fresh garlic is essential here. You'll end up with delicious bits of garlic!
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Red chili flakes add all the heat to this hot oil. Adjust according to your own spice level. Try using Sichuan chili flakes too.
- Onion: Shallot is perfect here because they are smaller and have a lot of flavor without that pungent bite of something like red onions.
- Ginger: Ginger paste is a really convenient ingredient to keep in your fridge! You could microplane fresh ginger if that's what you have.
- Olive oil: Regular olive oil is good for this spicy chili oil. We want the other ingredients to shine, so this is a good base.
- Tamari: I love this gluten-free option for soy sauce!
- Spices: You'll want to opt for whole cinnamon sticks and whole star anise pods. Remove them afterwards so you have the flavor without any debris.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- Other neutral oil such as peanut oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil can be used in place of olive oil.
- Tamari sauce is gluten-free, making it a great option to use here. Soy sauce and coconut aminos also have a similar flavor, though soy sauce does contain gluten. Replace the soy sauce in this Shrimp Poke Bowl with Tamari too!
- Adjust the amount of spice by adding more or less crushed red pepper to this easy garlic chili oil recipe.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Garlic and Chili Oil Recipe
Step 1: Place garlic, shallots, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and olive oil into a medium sauté pan. Heat over medium heat stirring frequently until garlic and shallots become golden brown.
Step 2: Remove from heat then add ginger paste, crushed red pepper, tamari, toasted sesame seeds, fennel seed and kosher salt. Mix well then allow spicy oil to cool slightly before serving.
Expert Cooking Tips
- Keep the heat closer to medium to low heat to ensure you don't burn anything!
- Stirring occasionally will help the garlic and crispy shallots turn an even brown.
- Ensure your spices are fresh for the best flavor.
- Try out a mandolin to create even garlic slices. Always use the provided hand guard! A mandolin also comes in handy when making Sweet Potato Gratin or Au Gratin Potatoes!
- Remove cinnamon stick and star anise.
- Use your own homemade garlic chili oil as a dipping sauce, condiment or pasta sauce.
Recipe FAQs
I store homemade chili oil in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Be aware that the olive oil might solidify some - while it likely won't turn into a full solid, you might see particles of solid oil suspended in liquid. You'll want to let it warm closer to room temp before using in recipes.
It's perfect for adding flavor to any noodle dish or soup. Garlic Bread Pizza would benefit from a finishing touch! Garlic chili oil also pairs beautifully with pork, like Honey Garlic Pork Chops.
There are definitely recipes that use whole cloves or shallots in them. However, slicing them gives you more surface area which will also impart more flavor. Plus, if your garlic and onion are already prepped and sliced, it means you can include them in your dishes along with a spoon of oil.
How To Use
Use this homemade chili garlic oil for sauteing, stir fry, as a dipping sauce, drizzling over pizza, in noodles, ramen, dumplings and more. It can be used room temperature or as hot oil.
It's the perfect addition to nearly anything you want to make spicy. The great thing about it is that it lasts up to 3 weeks in the fridge while keeping it in a mason jar or airtight container!
Try this delicious chili oil over Asian Salmon!
More Recipes You'll Love
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📖Recipe
Garlic Chili Oil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 cloves garlic sliced very thin
- 2 large shallots sliced thin
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise pods
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoon tamari
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Place garlic, shallots, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods and olive oil into a medium sauté pan. Heat over medium heat stirring frequently until garlic and shallots become golden brown
- Remove from heat and add ginger paste, crushed red pepper, tamari, toasted sesame seeds, fennel seed and kosher salt. Mix well then allow oil to cool slightly before serving. Remove cinnamon sticks and star anise pods
Krista
This is an absolute favorite of mine! Spicy with so much flavor. Love it on pork belly, rice noodles, ramen, tacos and rice bowls!
Natasha
Made chili noodles with this. Amazing! Just the right about of heat!