Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Stacey

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Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (1)

I have a real treat for you with this one. Homemade chili oil, but it's not just oil. There is sediment involved. What is that exactly? Well, the sediment is from the onions, ginger, cloves and other ingredients you added to make this incredible chili oil with sediment. Chili oil is not that stuff you see on the shelves of your supermarket in the international aisle. It's doesn't run clear like that. It's got stuff in it. Let's break it down.

Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (2)

The whole reason I decided to attempt chili oil with sediment is because I wanted to make Dan-Dan Noodles. I saw it a year ago online and did a lot of reading about it. I won't get into my obsession with Dan-Dan noodles now. I'll save that for my Dan-Dan Noodle post which is coming soon. Okay, that might be too many Dan-Dan's for one paragraph!

Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (3)

This particular noodle recipe calls for chili oil with sediment. Now, I could have gone to an Asian market and purchased a jar. I realize this. But I am a bit of a picky pants with spice levels. I didn't want to buy a certain kind and have it be waaaaay too spicy. Alternatively, I didn't want it too mild either. Since I never bought this before, how would I know which one to buy? And then I thought, Stacey, you are a food blogger, why don't you just figure out how to make your own? Capital idea!

You Can Go Small or Big with Spice For This Chili Oil

So off I went down another internet rabbit hole researching how to make my own chili oil with sediment. This was actually a lot of fun! I figured out how to make a delicious oil that isn't too spicy, but you can make it spicier if you so choose. There are so many ingredients you can add I discovered. I also realized that I already had every conceivable ingredient on hand. My creation is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink delight and it came out better than I could have possibly imagined!

You most likely have half to three-quarters of these ingredients in your pantry right now. The other ingredients can be obtained at your local Asian market. In a pinch, if you don't have an Asian market nearby, you can order them on Amazon. I will warn you though - I have found with spices Amazon tends to be on the pricier side with certain items. Look for a deal if you go that route.

Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (5)

The recipe here, as it's printed, is fairly mild and not very spicy. If you want your mouth on fire, add a lot more red pepper flakes and that should do the trick! Don't be scared about the Sichuan peppercorn ingredient. Contrary to the name, I didn't find it very spicy.

Run-down of the Possible Unfamiliar Ingredients

When you buy new ingredients, read the labels. If it's an Asian market and the labels are in another language, they will still usually have a few English words, like "mild," "medium heat" or "hot." Some ingredients will let you know the spice level on the package and you can buy according to your spice preference. If you are not sure just ask for help. There are people all around us in this world - standing by to assist when needed. All you have to do is ask.

  • Gochugaru: Korean chili flakes. These are fairly mild and have a nice smoky flavor.
  • Kashmiri Red Chili Powder: This is also mild and has a slightly sweet flavor and is great for adding a nice red color.
  • Gochujang: Korean chili paste. This is salty, slightly smoky, adds a nice depth of flavor. Also, I don't think this is too spicy, but this may be one of those ingredients where you need to read the spice level on the label. I believe at the store where I buy this, levels of spiciness are printed on the container. I use the mild one.
  • Ground Sichuan Peppercorn: Mild spice, hint of citrus, has an earthy-type flavor.
  • Star Anise: Right away the smell lets you know of the mild licorice flavor.

So there you have it! Testing this recipe was so much fun and I now LOVE having chili oil on hand for all sorts of things! You can keep in on the counter for a day or two, but ultimately it should go in the fridge. Add a spoonful to your fried eggs, grilled chicken, noodles (obviously), drizzle on vegetables or use as a stir fry topping. I always keep a bag of frozen pork dumplings in my freezer for when I don't feel like cooking. I steam them and drizzle with a little chili oil and they are awesome! You will find ways to incorporate this into your meals, trust me!

Looking for More International Delights? Ohhh, I've Got A Lot of Options for You:

  • Dan Dan Noodles (the reason I made this chili oil in the first place)
  • General Tso's Chicken with Trader Joe's Hack
  • Korean Beef Bulgogi
  • Anthony Bourdain's Macau-Style Pork Chop Sandwich
  • Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
  • Fried Rice with Chinese Sausage
  • Ralphs Amazing German Meatball Soup
  • Easy Restaurant Style Chicken Tikka Masala

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Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (6)

Chili Oil with Sediment

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  • Author: Stacey
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups of chili oil 1x
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Description

Homemade chili oil with sediment was a blast testing and tasting! You can make this as mild or spicy as you like.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted)
  • 2 cups Canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (finely diced - about 3 cloves)
  • 7 slices of ginger
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
  • 1 teaspoon ground szechuan/sichuan peppercorn
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more if you want it spicier)
  • 1 whole star anise
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (chili paste)
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT. YOU NEED A HEAT-PROOF BOWL FOR THIS. (see note# 1)

Instructions

  1. Put sesame seeds in a small pan and toast on the stovetop on low heat for about 5 minutes until they are golden in color. You’ll want to stir them so they don’t burn. I usually do other prep while they’re toasting, but don’t forget about them or they will burn.
  2. Pour the canola into a pot and heat on low-to-medium heat.
  3. While the oil is heating, do your other prep. Finely dice the garlic and set aside.
  4. Thinly slice the ginger and set aside.
  5. Finely dice the onion.
  6. In a HEAT-PROOF bowl, add the following ingredients: gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), ground Sichuan peppercorn, sugar, salt, Kashmiri red chili powder, red pepper flakes, star anise, cloves, bay leaf, garlic, gochujang (Korean chili paste), toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce.
  7. The oil should be hot by now so add the diced onion to the oil and let them fry for a few minutes. They should be sizzling right away after you put them in the oil. After 3-4 minutes, add the ginger slices. Let it fry another 4-5 minutes until the onions turn golden brown in color.
  8. Once the onions are golden brown, it’s time to add the hot oil mixture to the HEAT-PROOF bowl with the other ingredients. Pour the hot oil mixture, carefully, into the HEAT-PROOF bowl. The whole bowl will sizzle and it’s pretty cool, actually. I gently started to whisk the ingredients together. The sizzling will stop within a minute or so. I always whisk thoroughly to make sure that glob of gochujang gets dissolved. That’s it. I usually let it sit out in the bowl overnight (covered). Then it’s ready for use! Transfer to a glass mason jar – an old spaghetti jar will do too or any glass jar you may have on hand. I like to let it sit overnight before using.
  9. I usually pull out the star anise, ginger slices and bay leaf the next day. Sometimes I can't find the cloves because they are so small. I find them later when they end up in my mouth!

Notes

  1. If you don’t have a heat-proof bowl just use another pot to put your dry ingredients in. Whatever you use, it needs to be able to withstand adding the sizzling, bubbling VERY HOT canola oil too. I mention the HEAT-PROOF bowl so many times because certain glass bowls are not heat-proof and the bowl with crack or explode when the hot oil is poured into it. Please keep this in mind.
  2. I’ve ordered spices on amazon which is good to have as an option. However, if you can find things at local Asian markets you will get a better price.

More International

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  • Spicy Garlic Chili Noodles
  • Isaac's Incredibly Delicious Choriqueso
  • Harissa Chicken Thighs with Yogurt

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Chili Oil with Sediment - Eat the Bite (2024)

FAQs

What is chilli oil sediment? ›

Homemade chili oil, but it's not just oil. There is sediment involved. What is that exactly? Well, the sediment is from the onions, ginger, cloves and other ingredients you added to make this incredible chili oil with sediment.

What is the famous Chinese chili oil? ›

The product is sold in China and over 30 other countries. Lao Gan Ma is credited with popularizing Chinese chili oil and chili crisp toppings in the Western world, and have inspired many Chinese-American chili-based toppings.

How do you prevent botulism in chili oil? ›

Tips To Avoid Botulism in Chili Oil
  1. Never leave fresh garlic in the oil.
  2. Never add water or other fresh ingredients to oil.
  3. Always use clean silverware when serving chili oil.
  4. Use oil within 1 month.
  5. Discard if the container is bulging or releases air when opened.
Feb 2, 2022

How do you use chili oil in a sentence? ›

Meaning of chili oil in English

Drizzle with a little chili oil. To make it spicier, I added a little chili oil to the marinade. It's typically served with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream dressing, and chili oil. The bok choy was quite spicy as it had been sautéed in chili oil.

What's the difference between chili oil and chili crisp? ›

The best-known commercial brand is Lao Gan Ma, which is based on the chili crisps of Guizhou province. The chili crisp is closely related to Chinese chili oil, and sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, the difference being that the crisp contains edible chunks of food in the chili oil.

What is the meaning of chili oil? ›

Chili oil is a condiment made from vegetable oil that has been infused with chili peppers. Different types of oil and hot peppers are used, and other components may also be included. It is commonly used in Chinese cuisine, Southeast Asian cuisine, Italy, and elsewhere.

Is it OK to eat chili oil? ›

This means that it's likely safe to consume chili oil in moderation. That said, if you have a family history of cancer or are at an increased risk of developing stomach or esophageal cancer, discuss dietary changes, including adding spicy foods like chili oil to your diet, with your healthcare provider.

Do you need to refrigerate chili oil? ›

A: No. It does not need to be refrigerated. Nowhere on the label does it say it needs refrigeration. I always have a jar on my kitchen counter.

Is Chinese chilli oil healthy? ›

Is chilli oil healthy? Chilli oil can be healthy in moderation as it contains capsaicin, which may boost metabolism and have some health benefits. However, it's high in calories and should be consumed sparingly.

What ethnicity is chili oil? ›

Made from vegetable oil infused with various peppers and hot oils, chili oil works brilliantly as a source of spice in cooked dishes as well as a dipping condiment amongst your table spread. The origins of Chinese chili oil date back to the Ming Dynasty, when chili was first brought over from Latin America.

What is the strongest chilli oil? ›

Carolina Reaper Chilli Oil is made from top quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the hottest chilli in the world, the Carolina Reaper.

How to tell if chili oil is bad? ›

To determine if your chili oil has gone bad, you'll need to pay attention to the smell and visual aspects. If it smells rancid or off, that's your first sign that it's expired. Additionally, if you notice any discoloration or mold growth, those are sure signs it's time to toss it.

What is the best oil for making chili oil? ›

The best oil for making chili oil

Since you're cooking the oil at high temperature, you can use oils such as corn oil, canola oil, teaseed oil, or peanut oil. These oils are also known as neutral oils, which means they don't impart strong flavors.

Can botulism be killed by frying? ›

Only cooking or boiling food destroys botulinum toxin.

Why is chili oil so good? ›

However, in our opinion, chili oil really became famous due to the very subdued and slow-release spice it contains, as well as how it gives an instant Asian tinge to any recipe it's used in. That versatility is a big part of why chili oil is so popular.

What goes well with chili oil? ›

Rice, wheat, buckwheat – whichever your choice of noodle, amplify your eating experience with a generous spoonful of chilli oil mixed in the sauce.
  • Pour it over smashed potatoes. Potatoes are the perfect vessel to deliver the umami goodness straight to your tastebuds. ...
  • Cook your eggs in it. ...
  • Add it to cheese sandwiches.
Jan 3, 2023

What's the difference between chili sauce and chili oil? ›

Hot sauce can make soup unpleasantly astringent, or mask the flavor of delicate dishes in a cloying way. Chili oil, on the other hand, infuses its oil base with dry ingredients, which lend their spice and aromatics without the aid of harsh preservatives.

What do you put chili oil crisp on? ›

Luckily, regardless of where you take your chili crisp, you know you can confidently put it on anything. If you're a purist, toss it into noodles or use it as a topper for rice and ramen.

Why is chili crisp so expensive? ›

“The reason people think expensive Chinese food is whitewashed is because only white people are commanding those prices,” said Gao, who said her chili crisp contains 18 premium ingredients sourced exclusively in southwestern China.

Is chilli oil Japanese? ›

La-yu (ラー油, 辣油), sometimes spelled as rayu or ra yu, is a Japanese chili-flavored oil made by adding chili peppers to sesame oil and heating the oil to give it spiciness. La-yu is mostly used in Japanese-style Chinese foods (Chuka ryori).

What is the chemical in chili oil? ›

The chili oil had about 18.5% total saturated fatty acids and 81.5% unsaturated fatty acids, with 70.6% linoleic acid content, while peanut oil has 12% total saturated fatty acids and 88% unsaturated acids with more oleic (58%) than linoleic acid (30%}.

Should you cook with chili oil? ›

You can cook with chili oil, which is far more than just a condiment. All across Asia and often beyond, you will find that chefs replace plain oil with their hot chili oil blend to start as a spicy base. This is a great idea when you're whipping up a scorching meal that needs to pack a punch!

What is sediment in oil? ›

When extracted from an oil reservoir, the crude oil will contain some amount of water and suspended solids from the reservoir formation. The particulate matter is known as sediment or mud.

What is the sediment in my olive oil? ›

What is that white stuff in my olive oil? Those lumps or floating pellets are actually just the natural wax from the olive fruit. Just like other natural fats, such as butter or coconut oil, olive oil fat also can solidify in the cold.

How can you tell if chili oil is still good? ›

If you notice any off odors or flavors, or if the oil appears to have separated or has developed an off color, it is best to discard it. To ensure the best quality and flavor, it is generally recommended to use chili oil within six months of opening the container.

Why has my chilli oil gone Mouldy? ›

Improper storage: Even if the chili oil was properly prepared, if it was not stored in a clean and airtight container, it could have been exposed to mold spores from the environment, leading to mold growth [2].

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