There are so many things we buy in specialized supermarkets which overcharge. Not to say we shouldn't support makers of quality produce, but sometimes it is much more economical and rewarding to make your own. Chilli oil falls under this category. An incredibly versatile ingredient, chilli oil not only adds instant flavor to an almost infinite list of dishes, but it saves you so much time. For example, instead of chopping fresh chillies for a stir-fry, you can simply add a few splashes of this homemade chilli oil and achieve the same flavor.
At oneHOWTO, we show you how to make homemade chilli oil using fresh chillies. See for yourself how easy it is and share in the comments the dishes you use it for.
- A glass container with hermetic closure where you can keep your spicy oil in optimal conditions.
The first thing you should know is that homemade spicy oil can be made in two ways. You can either directly incorporate the different ingredients into the oil or expedite this process by heating the oil. The two methods are equally valid. The only real difference is that heating the oil makes the chillies released their flavor more quickly and will be ready in a shorter time.
Whichever option you choose, the first thing you should do is clean the fresh chillies well. Open them with a knife, cut them in half and remove the seeds. You can leave some seeds in if you want it to be extra spicy, but bear in mind that most of the spiciness is concentrated in the seeds, so the more you leave, the spicier your oil will be. You can use dried chillies if you wish, but just make sure you know how spicy they are.
Peel the garlic and cut it into thick slices. Also take a small bay leaf and wipe it with a dry cloth to remove any dust particles.
For the cold process of making homemade chilli oil, you have to take a glass jar large enough to hole the ingredients. Pour in the liter of virgin olive oil and then add the chillies, garlic and bay leave. The glass bottle must have a hermetic seal.
You can use other types of oil, but olive oil works particularly well. However, if you want a more neutral oil, use vegetable oil or canola oil. Another oil you can use is grape seed oil. Take a look at our article on the benefits of grape seed oil to learn more.
To continue the col process for making chilli oil, you have your oil in a dry, cool place and protect it from sunlight. Bear in mind it should not be a space with humidity. Wait at least a month for the ingredients to marinate slowly in the oil and release their aromas. After a few weeks you can use it.
If you prefer the heated option, the steps will be just as simple. Pour the oil you are going to flavor into a pan and set to a low heat. It is important that the oil does not overheat, it must reach a temperature of around 40 ºC/104 ºF, never higher. If you don0t, the fresh chillies, garlic and other ingredients will fry rather than infuse. Once you become a chilli- oil-making expert, you can tell on your own, but it is best to use a kitchen thermometer.
When you have the oil warmed, remove it from the heat, pour it into a glass jar and add the chilli, garlic and bay leaf. When it cools completely, close it hermetically and the process is the same as in the previous case.
While we have provided you with the basic recipe to make homemade chilli oil with fresh chillies, you can customize it how you like. Essentially, all you need are the chillies and oil. However, you can add other herbs (such as rosemary, basil, etc.), spices (anise, Szechuan pepper, etc.) or even fruit peel (lemon, lime, etc.).
After you have made the chilli oil you can use it on almost anything. Why not drizzle it over a homemade pizza, use in your salad dressing or simply dip some fresh-baked bread into it.
If you want to expand the range of flavors at home, check out our recipe for homemade kebab sauce.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Homemade Chilli Oil, we recommend you visit our Recipes category.
- You can make endless recipes with spicy oil, this homemade seasoning is perfect to add flavor to variety of different dishes. In addition to adding it to pizzas, try using it also as a topping for roasted or boiled fish. The spicy oil is also perfect to brighten up a paella or risotto. Another good idea is to use it to add a special touch to other sauces. If you make homemade ketchup, you can add a few dashes of chilli oil to spice it up, the same with barbeque sauce or even a chimichurri.