How to Make Chili Oil That's Aromatic and Flavorful
Add complexity and flavor to just about any savory dish with this versatile and aromatic chili oil you can make yourself at home!
- Prep time
- 5 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 1 serving
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 3 tbsp Chinese chili flakes
- 3 tbsp Korean chili flakes
- 1 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
- ½ tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1 pinch clove powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 slice ginger
- 1½ cup high smoke point vegetable oil
- 1 shallot (roughly chopped)
- 1 scallion
- 5 sprig cilantro (optional)
- 3 dried shrimp (optional)
- 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorn
- 1 tbsp fennel seed
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 star anise
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
Instructions
- 1
Add chili flakes, white sesame seeds, Chinese five spice powder, clove powder and salt in a big heat-resistant bowl and lay the ginger slices on the top.
- 2
Heat oil with shallot, scallion, cilantro and dried shrimp in a sauce pan over medium low heat and cook until the edge of the shallots turn golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Fish out the vegetables and dried shrimp and set it aside. You can use it for making braised meat or soup.
- 4
Add Sichuan peppercorn, fennel seed, bay leaf, star anise and cinnamon stick into the oil and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Adjust the heat if as needed to maintain a gentle boil.
- 5
Remove the pot from the heat and wait for 10 seconds before pouring the hot oil through a strainer into the bowl with chili flakes and seasonings. Stir the chili oil right away so that everything heats up evenly.
- 6
Store the chili oil in a glass jar and let it sit for a few hours to overnight before using. This allows the flavors to develop.