Viral Chili Oil

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup neutral oil (Peanut, canola, avocado, or vegetable oil)
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 0.75 cup chili powder
• 0.5 cup red crushed pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 8 garlic (Lightly crushed cloves)
• 1 shallot (Finely chopped)
• 1 tsp MSG (Optional; common in many restaurant versions)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (Optional; adds umami. Stir in after the oil has cooled slightly.)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the chili mixture in a heatproof bowl. Combine the chili powder, red crushed pepper, sesame seeds, MSG, finely chopped shallot, and lightly crushed garlic.

2. 2

   Add the neutral oil to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the star anise and cinnamon stick, then stir until the aromatics gently bubble.

3. 3

   Remove the aromatics from the saucepan. Carefully pour the hot infused oil into the chili mixture in the bowl.

4. 4

   If using soy sauce, stir it into the chili oil after the oil has cooled slightly.

5. 5

   Let the chili oil sit for at least overnight before using. The flavor improves dramatically after 24–48 hours.

Notes

The source does not specify an exact oil temperature, heating time, storage vessel, or storage duration beyond resting at least overnight; use the stated medium-low heat and gentle bubbling as the cooking cue. Soy sauce and MSG are optional.

Nutrition per serving

• condiment
• sauce
• spicy
• vegetarian
• vegan without soy sauce
• make-ahead
• East Asian
• infused oil