The Magic of Chilli Oil

Want to instantly give your home-cook dishes a flavourful, appetizing boost? Then chilli oil is one of the best Asian condiments you should try. It gives your dishes a gorgeous shine, a zesty touch and enticing aroma! Great for stir-fries, soup, grills, salads, snacks and more. Tasty on rice, noodles, meats, seafood, vegetables, and pretty much any savoury foods you like. You can also mix chilli oil with other ingredients to make dipping sauces with a spicy tinge.

What is Chilli Oil?

Originated from Ming Dynasty China, circa 1300s-1400s, chilli oil is believed to have been invented after chilli peppers arrived on Chinese shores via sea trade. The bold zesty flavour quickly bedazzled everyone’s tastebuds from the peasantry to the nobles and imperials.

So, they began cultivating chilli, and with that came the need for preserving their surplus between harvests. The most effective method was storing the chilli in rapeseed oil, which kept them fresh for long periods of time. Naturally, people also noticed the spicy aroma and flavour of the oil. From there, chill oil gradually evolved beyond just a byproduct of preserving chilli, but with its own recipe that uses finely crushed dried chilli flakes to infuse the oil.

This basic recipe spread across Asia, each culture adopting it to their own tastes with unique variants. Even within China, chilli oil may differ in flavour from region to region. Yet the chilli oil’s ubiquitous versatility makes it a common staple in almost every Asian cuisine’s pantry, and remains a favourite condiment to this day.

How to make your own Chilli Oil

It is delightfully simple to make your own chilli oil. Use chilli powder or flakes with minced garlic and toasted sesame seeds for the most basic version. Or add some salt, Sichuan peppercorn, cinnamon and star anise for the zesty Sichuan chilli oil.

Just heat some cooking oil and put in the ingredients. Keep the hot oil steady at a low-bubbling consistency and fry the flakes till fragrant, then remove from the stove, let it cool and your chilli oil is ready for use. You can store it in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks, or keep it in the fridge to stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Ready-Made Chilli Oil

No time to make your own? No worries. Ready-made chilli oil in bottles are easily available at your friendly Asian grocers and supermarkets. Among them, Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil is a superb choice. Spicy with a fruity aroma and a rich, savoury aftertaste. Versatile to instantly enliven all kinds of Asian delights with just a dash. For beginners, add it in bit by bit and taste it to gauge your preferred spiciness. An amazing companion to all your dishes!

Goodies to Savour with Chilli Oil

Ready to have a taste of chilli oil? Here are 2 delicious snacks to get you started!

Chilli Garlic Prawns

Golden fried prawns with a crispy savoury coating, served with a zesty, umami sauce blend of Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil, premium soy sauce, pure sesame oil and black vinegar for a mild tangy tinge. Every bite is yums! Make them fresh with our recipe.

Chinese Prawn Cakes

This soft crispy Chinese fried cake is made with a batter of carrot, prawns, cilantro, water chestnuts, minced ginger, egg white and cornflour. Enriched with Shaoxing Wine, oyster sauce, salt, sugar and pure sesame oil for a fragrant, savoury munch. Paired with a spicy Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil dipping sauce for a full-bodied flavour. Try it with our recipe!

Also check out our recipes collection for more delicious wonders with chilli oil!

About Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee has been a provider of Asian sauces and condiments for over 150 years. Trusted by generations of professional chefs and home-cook foodies for their range of premium quality products, made with fresh ingredients and perfectly balanced for the most authentic and delectable flavours. Available at supermarkets near you. So discover more Lee Kum Kee products the next time you shop!