I am obsessed with good condiments, especially if prepared at home. This Chili Oil is flavor packed with gorgeous red hue, and it also has the shallot and garlic crisp for that crunch.

The first time I made Chili Oil was way back in 2013, and it was a good one with just 3 ingredients. Fresh Garlic Cloves, Red Chili Flakes and Oil.
You can definitely stick to that easy, quick combination that gets ready in less than 10 minutes.
But then about a year back, I learned about the Korean chili powder and got quite hooked to it. This new version of Chili Oil is prepared using Korean Chili powder, few aromatic spices, shallots, garlic and green onion.
You will love it!
Chili oil comes handy when your palate doesn’t support your idea or when you want to kick up the taste bud a notch.
This is the Korean chili I used

Ingredients I used in Chili Oil
Sliced Shallots - I use a lot of slice shallots as I wanted a lot of shallot crisps in the chili oil. You can use red or white onion too.
Sliced Garlic - I love the intense garlic flavor in this condiment, and so I added a lot. You can definitely change the quantity based on your liking.
Chopped Green Onion - Totally optional as you can use chopped green onion as a garnish to a dish when you use this chili oil, but I like the flavor it adds.
Spices - Spices, I like to add in here are bay leaves, star anise, coriander seed, cinnamon stick and black peppercorn.
Sesame Seeds - Sesame seed is not optional for me, but if you are allergic then definitely skip the seeds.
Korean Chili Powder - I used Gochugaru, which is a Korean chili flakes. It is not very spicy and has a very slight sweet taste to it. You can use regular chili flakes too but use less as regular chili flakes will be much spicy.
Oil - Vegetable or Canola oil will work well.

Steps to prepare

In a heavy bottom pan, add sliced shallots and sliced garlic, pour the oil along and bring the heat to medium low and keep cooking until the garlic and shallots turn slight golden brown.
Take it off the pan once done.

To the same oil, add the spices and let it cook in medium low heat for 5 to 7 minutes.
In the meantime, in a mixing bowl, add the Korean Chili Powder - Gochugaru (or chili flakes) along with sesame seeds and little amount of the chopped green onion.
Strain the flavored oil to the bowl. Be very careful as the oil will be very hot.

Give a mix and once cooled down completely, store in an airtight jar.
I love the gorgeous red shade of the oil. It creates an impression and can undoubtedly be placed as a centerpiece on a dinning table.

FAQs
If you are unaware of this flavored oil, you might think that so much chili flakes goes in it, and it must be super hot. It is NOT!
I cannot handle spicy food at all, and I use this oil in every dish I can think of. It is a flavor bomb with a very mild heat.
I use vegetable oil or canola oil. But you can use sesame oil or soy bean oil too.
Clean dry airtight glass jar. It's good to keep it in the refrigerator unless you live in a very cold place.
I would microwave warm the oil just a little, before using it. Personally, I prefer it a little warm than straight out of the fridge cold.

Homemade condiments are fun to make, and I know what I am adding to it, which definitely is a healthy choice. There are condiments that I still buy and depend on store bought versions. But infused oil is something I always prefer making at home.
Try this Rosemary and Garlic Olive Oil

Garlic Chili Oil
Ingredients
- 2 cups oil
- 3 tablespoon Korean Chili Powder – Gochugaru (You can use chili flakes too)
- 12 to 13 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 3 shallots (thinly sliced)
- 2 green onion (chopped)
- 1 star anise
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorn
- 1 and ½ tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom saucepan, pour the oil along with thinly sliced shallots and sliced garlic. (Watch the video to see a cook hack on how to peel garlic). Bring the heat to medium and let it cook for 10 minutes, or until the shallots and garlic and mild golden color. Using a slotted spoon, take out the fried garlic and shallots to a big bowl.
- To the same bowl, add the chili flakes, green onion and sesame seeds. Give a mix.
- To the warm oil, now add the whole spices and let it simmer in medium heat for 5 minutes. Strain the hot oil to the bowl of garlic, shallots and chili mixture. It will be very hot, so be careful.
- Give a mix and leave aside to cool down completely before you store in a glass container.
Soma
Beautiful. We do the same oil,but use the whole chili (a little crushed) and it's better than the store bought ones.
Mallika
I love garlic chili oil too, but then I've given it a thought of storing this way. I make it instant, right when the dish demands. Such a pretty thing. Well shot as usual.
Erin
I agree with everyone above! I envision crusty bread being dipped into this, adding it to curries and stir fries.
Do you use red pepper flakes, or dried chiles like thai chiles?
Nami | JOC
So easy and quick! We all need one at home! 🙂
Nik@ABrownTable
Delicious photography, I would use this almost over every thing I eat, especially with bread!
Reem
This is my favorite too..
Beautiful pictures.... Love!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Stunning photos, this would be perfect with a crusty loaf of bread!
Anna@CCS
Gorgeous! Love the amazing color of this oil!
mjskit
Our tastes were certainly on the same plane this week. I love a delicious chile oil and any infused oil. This looks as good as your rosemary and garlic oil. Gorgeous pictures!
Marie @ Little Kitch
Beautiful! I love infused oils like this - so many uses in the kitchen!
Shema George
If you have taken only 8 pics for this post - its absolutly fantastic!!!... Love the chili oil and the pictures 🙂
Nash at Plateful
Completely in love with your pictures! Ah!
Ingrid
I saw the first pic when it came through on my email and the colour just made me want to read your post - amazing how a photo can be so evocative. Keep up the nice pics
Eha
So simple to make - I usually have got to the same effect from the separate ingredients and no infusion . . . evening here now, but tomorrow 🙂 !!
Nandita
Oh I love this. I tend to drizzle this oil on Chinese fried rice or noodles 🙂
Kiran
We love garlic chili oil -- especially on stir-frys! Yum!
jehanne
Thia is my hubby's fav..the store bought one has added dried shrimp which I dread with vengeance. such beautiful pic, I will definitely try this soon!
Rosa
Wonderful! Perfect for using sprinkling over pasta or pizza.
Cheers,
Rosa
Nisha
A garlic and chili infused oil used to look boring and bland ... until I saw your pictures.
Classic.
Jean
Such pretty pictures! I love having chili oils at the ready in my kitchen. You've captured yours so beautifully!