What Is Sambal?
Sambal is a chili paste or sauce that is usually made from varieties of chillies and mixed together with other ingredients such as onion, garlic, ginger, tamarind, soy sauce or shrimp paste.
The sambal word originally comes from sambel, an Indonesian word.
Sambal can be a condiment to other meals like my delicious curry laksa or it can also be a meal by itself like anchovies sambal, just to name one. You typically eat it with:
Malaysian Sambal
Though originated in Indonesia, it is as popular in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
Like always, each countries have their own version of it and today I'm sharing how I always make my sambal.
This is the base of sambal and from that I either add some seafood, chicken, veggies into it. Or I simply use it as a condiment.
If you cannot take the spiciness of this sambal, no worries. I have a sambal recipe that's made from roasted sweet bell peppers with just enough heat to it for you to enjoy.
Since it's very versatile, it's great to know how to make it and plus, it's so easy!
How To Make Malaysian Chili Paste (Sambal)
Ingredients
- 1.8 oz dry chillies
- ½ onion , cut into chunks
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 slice of ginger
- 1 thumb sized shrimp paste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice , or lime juice
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
Prepping The Chillies
- Using a scissor, cut the dry chillies at an angle into small pieces. This is to help remove the seeds. Put them in a bowl and soak with hot water for 30 minutes or until soften.
- Drain the chillies in a colander and wash them with running water while mixing around. This will help remove the seeds.
- Place drained chillies together with onion, garlic, ginger, shrimp paste into a food processor with ½ cup water (125 ml). Blend into smooth mixture.
Cooking The Sambal
- Heat a wok with some oil on medium heat. Pour blended chillies mixture together with 1 cup water (250 ml). Stir a bit and cook until the sambal mixture thickens, around 10-15 minutes.
- Add another ½ cup water (125 ml) and mix well. Continue cooking until the sambal thickens once more.
- Add sugar, salt and lemon juice. Mix well and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes. Turn the heat off.
Note: as the sambal thickens, it tends to spit and splatter. Use splatter screen for frying to avoid a mess 😀
How To Serve
- Use as a condiment for laksa, soups or as dipping sauce for grilled fish, chicken etc.
- Add your favourite protein source such as seafood, eggs, chicken etc and enjoy it with some rice on the side.
How To Store
- Store in the fridge for consumption within a few days.
- Put in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer up to 6 months.
Notes
- A good sambal is a tad sweeter than it is spicy, salty or sour. Adjust to your likings
- Adjust seasoning or add water as needed when you add seafood, chicken etc with the sambal
Thank you for this recipe!!
I miss Malaysian food and I look forward to visit it again someday. I made this recipe and it really reminds me of the stalls and food in Malaysia.
Love - Kate
Hi Kate! I'm happy that the recipe brings back happy memories of Malaysia to you. Thank you so much!
I love your recipes! Made this sambal tonight and it's so tasty. Another winner. Your notes are also helpful for me to know what I should aim for when preparing this. Thank you.!
I'm glad that you find them useful Lily! Sambal is always a winner in my heart 😀 , thank you!
Ahhhh Finally a recipe that looks and sounds right..Thank you for sharing, I tried it and it was perfect , reminded le of the sambal of my favorite Nasi Lemak stall in Melaka..Terima Kasih 🤗🤗
Awesome! Happy to know that it brings back memories to you (coincidently, I was born in Melaka 😂!). Terima kasih for your feedback! 😍
Seriously?? Wow, what's a coincidence !!! Which area?? I'm currently staying in Ayer Keroh..but that stall mentioned before was in Kampung Lapan ..
Anyway , please keep on sharing your tasty recipes.. I made Laksa a few days ago following your recipe and it turned out v.good 😉
🤗🤗
Yea? Hey that's awesome! I was born in Terendak. Happy that you loved the laksa, thank you! 🤗🤗
I have been looking for a good sambal recipe for awhile now, thank you! however i must ask is the shrimp paste a must? I am looking to serve to people with seafood allergens, perhaps i could replace it with golden mountain sauce (although it is thai haha).
Hi Maggie! You can totally skip the shrimp paste, no problem at all (my sister is not fond of it and never uses it 🤣 ). Hope it helps and that everybody likes it 😊.
Can't wait to make this. May I know what Shrimp paste is the best to use?