Sambal Oelek

Sambal oelek is a simple, fiery Indonesian chili paste made from ground fresh red chilies, vinegar and salt — with none of the sweetness or added aromatics found in other sambals. Its clean, straightforward heat makes it a flexible base for cooking or a punchy table condiment, stirred into stir-fries, soups, marinades and dipping sauces whenever pure chili flavour is needed.

Ingredients

Sambal oelek typically contains just ground chili peppers, salt and vinegar, sometimes with a small amount of sugar. Unlike cooked sambals, it isn't fried with aromatics like garlic or shallots, which keeps its flavour bright and straightforwardly hot.

Nutritional Facts

Sambal oelek is low in calories and fat, since it is mostly chili and water. Per tablespoon, it contains approximately 5 to 10 calories, less than 1 gram of fat and around 1 to 2 grams of carbohydrates, with negligible protein. Sodium content is moderate, generally around 100 to 200 milligrams per tablespoon.