Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or your preferred oil)
- 3 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional, balances the heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional, for extra umami)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a small saucepan, combine the vegetable oil and sesame oil (if using). Heat the oil over medium heat, but be careful not to let it smoke.
- Prepare Garlic and Chili: Add the minced garlic to the heated oil. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Add Chili Flakes: Once the garlic is golden, immediately add the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir the mixture for about 30 seconds. The oil should become a deep red color from the chili flakes.
- Season: Stir in the salt, sugar (optional), and ground pepper (optional) to balance the flavors. If you want extra umami, you can also add soy sauce at this stage.
- Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the chili garlic oil cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the oil into a jar or bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.
- Serve: Drizzle the chili garlic oil over dishes like stir-fries, dumplings, noodles, grilled meats, or even as a dipping sauce for bread.
Enjoy the flavorful kick of homemade chili garlic oil!