Garlic Chili Oil is a condiment that can add a bit of heat and flavor to dishes from salads to pizzas to pasta noodles and more! I used this recipe on my Egg & Avocado Hash Brown Breakfast Patty and it is life-changing!
Garlic Chili Oil
Adding this condiment to your other dressings and sauces is a must! I never realized how many foods could use a little bit of kick from this oil. The recipe is all about the mixed spices that are blended with oil that has been used to cook the shallots and garlic. Then, the crispy shallots and garlic are finally added to the mix.
Use it as a dipping sauce for a crusty bread like a French baguette, adding to vegetables, enhancing the flavor of fried rice, and drizzling on chicken or other meats.
Chili Oil Ingredients
Oil: I prefer canola oil or vegetable oil.
Red pepper flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes give the oil some heat. I used a tablespoon of them in this recipe; you could add more or less per preference.
Salt: Yes, it is a tablespoon of kosher salt, but don’t leave that out; it helps to bring out the flavors of the other spices.
Chilis: The chili flavors in this recipe come from chili powder and paprika.
Tips for Making Crunchy Garlic Chili Oil
- Be sure you do not burn the shallots and garlic. They will cook in the oil for just a minute or two before the heat is lowered, where they will cook for about 20 minutes. The goal is to get them brown and crispy.
- When draining the oil into the bowl of spices, keep the shallots and garlic up high enough to get all the oil drained. This will also give them time to cool and crisp up a bit.
- Let the shallots and garlic cool for 20-30 minutes before adding them to the oil.
- This will make about 1 cup of oil.
How to Store Chili Oil
Store the oil in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. It will last at room temperature in a cool, dark place for up to a few weeks.
Why Strain the Oil Then Add It All Back Together?
- Infusing Flavors: Straining the hot garlic mixture allows the flavorful oil to be infused with the seasonings. As the oil drains through the strainer, it carries the aromatic compounds from the garlic, shallots, and other ingredients into the seasoning mixture. This process enhances the overall flavor profile of the chili oil, ensuring that every drop is rich and infused with the delicious blend of seasonings.
- Controlling Texture: By separating the crispy shallots and garlic from the oil initially, you can control the texture of the final chili oil. Allowing the crispy bits to sit in the strainer while the oil drains off ensures that they maintain their desired crispy and golden-brown texture. This prevents the shallots and garlic from becoming soggy due to extended exposure to the oil.
- Temperature Adjustment: Allowing the strained garlic mixture to cool down before reintroducing it to the oil mixture helps in preserving the flavors and prevents overcooking. Mixing hot ingredients directly with oil could lead to the breakdown of flavors and potential changes in texture. By introducing the cooled crispy garlic and shallots back into the oil mixture, you’re maintaining the integrity of both the flavors and the overall composition of the chili oil.
Overall, this method of straining and reintroducing the cooled garlic mixture back into the oil mixture ensures that you achieve a harmonious balance of flavors, textures, and aromas in your chili oil, resulting in a more refined and enjoyable culinary experience.
Garlic Chili Oil
Ingredients
Oil Mixture
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 medium shallot, finely diced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 4 teaspoons garlic, minced
Seasoning Mixture
- 3 tablespoons dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, or more for a spicier oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add shallots and garlic. Stir to combine. Once the mixture is bubbling (after 1-2 minutes), reduce heat to medium-low.
- Cook the shallots and garlic on low for 20-25 minutes (stirring occasionally) until golden brown and crispy, making sure not to burn.
- In a small bowl, add minced onion, red pepper, kosher salt, chili powder, and paprika to create your seasoning mixture.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over the bowl and pour the hot garlic mixture into the strainer, letting the oil drain in with the seasonings. Leave the hot shallots and garlic in the strainer and set aside to cool.
- Once the garlic and shallots have cooled (after 20-30 minutes), add them to the oil mixture and stir.
- Add chili oil to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store at room temperature in a cool, dark place for up to a few weeks. Stir well before serving.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
This is delicious. Easy! After testing this, I made it for gifts. Rave reviews. I couldn’t remember where I found this recipe. After 1+ hrs I found it. I won’t lose it again. Thank you! I love your recipes.😋
So thoughtful of you to share with others, Jean!
Do you have a video where i can see how you are do it. And can i use olve oil or sunflower oil because i dont have canola oil.
And what do you mean with paprika is fresh or also dried
How would this be as a marinade for chicken?
Confused on the cooking do you add all together in skillet?
I didn’t see a clear answer about using a better oil? Does it last 30 days using olive oil?
This is kept at room temperature…….olive oil can go bad….this is delicious….I now have it on hand all the time….great on sandwiches….love it
10. Thank u
Out of curiosity I am wondering if you can put it into a canning jar and can it for gifts or would putting it into a water bath do something bad to it?
I like to cold can things like this using a vacuum sealing machine , using the hose and one of the two sizes of Mason jar lid sealer . See “Food saver jar sealing kit” . That’s how I store my pickled peppers , to keep them crispy .
What would you use this oil for?
Dipping bread in it is what I do!! Also dressing pasta is hummy 🙂
Love this recipes sound delicious but do you have a video where you are making it I really prefer to see and do rather than read 😅thanks in advance 🙏
Thank you for the recipe.
Just to be sure, the minced onion shld stay raw since its mixed with the red pepper flakes /paprika and oil strained over the mixture. Kindly confirm.
Thank you.
That’s what I read, but am wondering about that too!
It says DRIED onion.
The shallots go into the pan along with the garlic, then strained to cool. The oil needs to cool down before adding the garlic and shapes back into it, or the garlic and shapes will keep cooking, which will change the flavor and become bitter
Can olive oil be used instead?
i made it with avacado oil , and i have made it with good olive oil. , just watch your oils for going rancid
Can we process these jars in a canned for longer storage?
Amazing chili oil not hard to make at all everyone in my home loves it. Only thing is we can’t keep enough on hand
I’VE always wondered how to make this.
Can we use a better oil ? Olive or avocado?
Can this be made in batches and processed for storage? Such as, water bath?
Can a better heart healthy oil (olive, avocado, grape seed?) be used? I plan to keep it in the refrigerator as I do the store bought chili oil.
Can I use dehydrated shallots?
Pinterest will not let you pin this recipe. It says no image available.
I will try to fix that Vicki! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Can I use Himalayan salt (pink salt) instead of kosher salt?
Sure!