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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Sauces

    Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce

    Published: Nov 1, 2021 · Modified: Nov 29, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    34 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Low Fat / Vegan
    Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce with a text title overlay.

    If you want to make your homemade kebabs taste even more authentic, then make a batch of this Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce to go with them. A tomato based sauce with a serious kick of chilli. This is an authentic kebab shop sauce, just like you would get at your local takeaway, and it takes just a few minutes to make. You can make it as spicy or as mild as you like, and it goes on so much more than just kebabs.

    A bowl of chilli sauce next to some bird's eye chillies.

    I wouldn't like to count how many kebabs I have eaten in my lifetime. I was a university student for about 6 years and let's just say that I saw the local bars more than I saw the lecture theatres! Nights out were a huge part of my time at uni and of course a night out always ended with a kebab loaded with chilli sauce. Even when I went for a burger or pizza instead, I still added lots of chilli sauce.

    I was literally obsessed with chilli sauce (it was also one of my pregnancy cravings with my first too) and on one night out I even asked if I could buy a bottle of the chilli sauce at my local takeaway. They said no, so I vowed I would make my own. I have been making variations of this recipe ever since and it has taken me years to perfect the exact balance of spiciness. There is no cooking involved and there are so many different ways to use it.

    If you are looking for other chilli packed recipes, then why not try our Chilli Con Carne, Chilli and Lime Prawn and Avocado Salad or Cauliflower and Potato Curry?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients need
    • How to make kebab shop chilli sauce - Step by step
    • Health benefits of chillies
    • What to serve with kebab shop chilli sauce
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More sauce recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Minimal ingredients - Just 7 ingredients go in to making this kebab shop chilli sauce and I bet you have most of the ingredients in your cupboards anyway. There is nothing fancy that goes in to making this sauce.
    • No cooking needed - You don't need to cook anything to make this sauce. Everything is finely diced and add a nice texture. You could gently soften the onions and garlic if you prefer.
    • Adjustable - You can make this chilli sauce as mild or as spicy as you like. We like it pretty spicy, so this recipe has a real kick of heat to it. But, that's the way it should be I think.
    • Versatile - Whilst this is intended to go on a kebab, there is so much more that you can do with it. More on that below!

    Ingredients need

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Tomatoes - This is a tomato based chilli sauce and we used a can of chopped tomatoes, rather than fresh tomatoes, to make this a quick and easy recipe. Try to use the best quality tomatoes that you can, as you really will be able to taste the difference. Cheaper tinned tomatoes tend to be really watery and don't have as much flavour, and you will have a watery sauce. We use Mutti Fine Chopped Tomatoes. You can buy them in most supermarkets, but we buy them on Amazon in bulk which works out cheaper.
    • Chilli - The star of the sauce. We used bird's eye chillies, as that is what we already have. However, we have made this with different chillies and they all work well. It depends on the level of spiciness you want, and what flavour. You could use a generic red chilli from the supermarket or you could use scotch bonnet which add a touch of sweetness.
    • Shallots - This adds some texture to the kebab shop chilli sauce. Just make sure to really finely dice it. We used shallots because they have a little bit of sweetness to them, however you could use a small brown onion instead.
    • Tomato ketchup - This helps to thicken the sauce, as well as add a burst of tomato flavour and some more vibrant colour. You could use tomato puree, but we like the added sweetness from tomato ketchup. If you are going to use tomato puree, then you might want to add a pinch of sugar, as it balances out the chilli.
    • Garlic - We love a garlicky chilli sauce, but that's just out preference. Freshly crushed is best, and make sure that it is crushed to almost a puree, as this will ensure even distribution in the chilli sauce, and not a few chunks.
    • Salt - Kebab shop chilli sauce tends to be quite salty, but this comes down to preference. Add a little salt and then taste it. You can then add more if you like.
    • Vinegar - We used white wine vinegar and it adds a little acidity that you would usually find in chilli sauce. It helps to balance out the tomatoes. You could swap it for apple cider vinegar if you prefer.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make kebab shop chilli sauce - Step by step

    One: Add the shallots, garlic cloves and chillies to a mortar bowl. Using a pestle, pound to a smooth paste. Add some coarse salt to act as an abrasive to make the pounding easier.

    Two shot collage of shallots, garlic cloves and sliced chillies in a mortar.

    Two: Put the tomatoes in a bowl and add the paste, ketchup and vinegar. Mix well so that everything is combined.

    Three shot collage of chopped tomatoes in a bowl, then with the paste and ketchup added then mixed together.

    Health benefits of chillies

    Store bought, or takeaway bough, chilli sauce tends to be very high in sugar, salt and additives. So, making your own is always going to be the healthier choice, as you can just use real ingredients and adjust them to suit your own tastes.

    Chilli peppers are the fruits of Capsicum pepper plants, and are part of the nightshade family, related to bell peppers and tomatoes. They are known for their hot flavour. Did you know there were lots of health benefits of chillies?

    Because chilli tends to be eaten in such small amounts, their contribution to your daily intake of vitamins and minerals is small. But, it all counts! Chillies contain vitamins A, C, B6, K1, as well as potassium and copper.

    What to serve with kebab shop chilli sauce

    A kebab of course! This sauce is perfect on our Lamb Shish Kebab, Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs, Chicken Tikka Skewers or Greek Chicken Skewers. But there is so much more that you can do with it than put it on a kebab! Why not try it on a burger like our Mexican Burger, Pork and Apple Burger or Hidden Vegetable Beef Burgers.

    We also think it's a great way to jazz up vegetable side dishes. Add a spoonful on to our Garlic Spring Greens, Hasselback Potatoes, Cilantro Lime Rice, Garlic Smashed Potatoes or Easy Roast Potatoes.

    You can also use it to add lots of flavour to a chilli con carne or even mix it in to mayonnaise or yogurt for a dip.

    A bowl of chilli sauce with a spoon in it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to store kebab shop chilli sauce

    You can keep it in an air tight container in the fridge for 5 days. Be aware that the flavours will get more intense the longer it is left.

    Can I freeze kebab shop chilli sauce?

    Yes, this sauce freezes really well. Pour it in to ice cube trays and then freeze. Once frozen, pop them out of the ice cube trays and put them in a freezer bag. They will store well for 2 months.

    How many chillies should I use?

    This really depends on how spicy you like it. We used 2 bird's eye chillies and we find that has a nice kick of heat, without being too overpowering. Just use one if you want it mild (or half for really mild) or use 3 if you want it really spicy. You can always add more after mixing, but you can't take it out if it is too hot.

    Should I remove the seeds in the chillies?

    That comes down to preference. We wanted our chilli sauce to be spicy, so we kept them in. Plus, we are lazy! If you want it to be milder, then remove the seeds before chopping them up. The seeds and the white flesh are the spiciest bit of the chillies.

    Is kebab shop chilli sauce vegan?

    Yes, this sauce is vegan.

    Is kebab shop chilli sauce gluten free?

    If you use a ketchup that is certified gluten free, then this sauce an be gluten free. Just make sure that there is no cross contamination.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Be careful when cutting the chillies. Wear rubber gloves when handling them so you don't get them in your eye after.
    • If you want to add a little bit of freshness to this, then some fresh chopped mint adds a lovely flavour.
    • You could make this even quicker by blending all the ingredients together, but we like the chop them finely to leave a bit of texture to the chilli sauce.
    • If you like a sweeter sauce, then add a pinch of sugar. Taste in once everything is mixed together and then adjust it. The same goes for the salt.

    More sauce recipes

    • Easy Garlic Sauce
    • Southwest Sauce
    • Blue Cheese Dip
    • Easy Bread Sauce

    If you’ve tried this homemade chilli sauce recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce in a bowl.

    Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce

    This is an authentic kebab shop chilli sauce, just like you would get at your local takeaway, and it takes just a few minutes to make.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    4.55 from 24 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Sauce/Spread
    Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 14kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 400 g Chopped tomatoes - canned
    • 3 Shallots - chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Ketchup
    • 2 Garlic clove
    • Sea salt - to taste
    • 2 Bird's eye chillies - sliced
    • 1 tablespoon White wine vinegar

    Instructions

    • Add the shallots, garlic cloves and chillies to a mortar bowl. Using a pestle, pound to a smooth paste. Add some coarse salt to act as an abrasive to make the pounding easier.
      3 Shallots, 2 Garlic clove, 2 Bird's eye chillies, Sea salt
    • Put the tomatoes in a bowl and add the paste, ketchup and vinegar. Mix well so that everything is combined.
      400 g Chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon Ketchup, 1 tablespoon White wine vinegar

    Notes

    • Be careful when cutting the chillies. Wear rubber gloves when handling them so you don't get them in your eye after.
    • If you want to add a little bit of freshness to this, then some fresh chopped mint adds a lovely flavour.
    • You could make this even quicker by blending all the ingredients together, but we like the chop them finely to leave a bit of texture to the chilli sauce.
    • If you like a sweeter sauce, then add another pinch of sugar. Taste in once everything is mixed together and then adjust it. The same goes for the salt.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 14kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emelie

      January 09, 2023 at 5:54 pm

      1 star
      Followed directions exactly, not spicy, all I could taste was vinegar. Maybe would be good without the vinegar but honestly this was a disaster. I used good quality ingredients, followed directions, but its so sour it had to be thrown out.

      Tried to savage it by curbing the vinegar but it didn't work. Horrible.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 10, 2023 at 9:06 am

        This recipe has only 1 tbsp of vinegar in it, and 400g of tomatoes and the chillies, so you should not have an overwhelming vinegar taste with those ratios. The only way you would, is if your vinegar was off or you have used the wrong amounts. Also, the term spicy is relative. You might be able to handle a lot more heat than us, so you can also add more chillies or use stronger ones. 1 tbsp of vinegar would not make this sour or a disaster.

        Reply
        • Emelie

          January 10, 2023 at 3:10 pm

          1 star
          As I mentioned, I followed directions and used good quality ingredients. Double checked afterwards and nothing was out of date (if it was a fault on my end I would not have replied to warn others - at first I thought maybe it should've been a tsp and I messed up, but nope). Used the correct type of vinegar. Spice is different for everyone, but a "spicy" sauce really should have heat, so I'm giving a heads up for those willing to jump in.

          It was a disaster, got someone else to give it a go and they thought I was joking with them it tasted so bad. Definitely needs less vinegar, or something to offset the bitter flavour. Maybe not if it was fresh tomatoes or something, but this was a massive let down and waste of ingredients. Not a helpful reply at all on your end offering any potential fixes either.

          Reply
          • Dannii

            January 11, 2023 at 9:17 am

            I'm not sure what other type of fix I can offer. However, what I did do yesterday was test it again, and invite two friends over to test it, as I never want a recipe to be wrong (even though I triple test all recipes before they go live) and they loved it. I asked about the vinegar flavour and the both said that it has the tang that a kebab shop chilli sauce should have. One of my friends also said it was too spicy for them. This isn't a sweet chilli sauce - it is kebab style. I am sorry you didn't enjoy it but something with a slight vinegar taste (it is only 1 tbsp over 10 portions, so only 1.1ml of vinegar per serving) I struggle to see how it can be a disaster and I checked the recipe again to make sure. Also, as you can see from previous comments, there are lots of people that did enjoy it. I hope you find something else you can enjoy on the blog.

            Reply
    2. Sara Welch

      November 03, 2021 at 7:45 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a quick and easy sauce with the perfect amount of kick! Love it!

      Reply
    3. Toni

      November 03, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this recipe!! It is really amazing!

      Reply
    4. Heather Perine

      November 03, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      Love making homemade kabobs and this sauce was amazing on them! Did add in a pinch of sugar - was perfect!

      Reply
    5. Tatiana

      November 03, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      I used three chilies and the sauce was just how i like it. Spicy and delicious

      Reply
    6. Lima Ekram

      November 03, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      I often make kabobs in my house - cant wait to give this a try!

      Reply
    7. Jacqueline Meldrum

      November 03, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      I can honestly say I've never had a kebab in my life but the sauce does look tasty!

      Reply
    8. MJ

      November 03, 2021 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy this sauce was to make! So tasty, too.

      Reply
    9. Kristen

      November 03, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce is so tasty! It was delicious with the kebabs I had for dinner yesterday!

      Reply
    10. Lubna

      November 03, 2021 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      Omg....this looks fiery and droolicious. Thank you for sharing easy recipe.

      Reply
    11. maryanne

      November 03, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      This sauce was incredible - almost like a spicier, garlicky ketchup! We put it on burgers last night, and my husband and I both loved it!

      Reply
    12. stella

      November 03, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      i really like kebab but i never find a good sauce, i will try your recipe

      Reply
    13. Gina

      November 03, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and tasty! Love it served with side dishes to jazz them up a bit.

      Reply
    14. Claudia Lamascolo

      November 03, 2021 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      This was so flavorful and actually was perfect for topping our nachos we just love the freshness!

      Reply
    15. Natalie

      November 03, 2021 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      This sauce sounds fantastic. I love spicy food so I'm going to make this sauce for sure. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    16. Savita

      November 03, 2021 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      This sauce looks so versatile, can't wait to try it.

      Reply

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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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