Chili oil
Oil infused with chili flakes or whole dried chilies, ranging from mild and fragrant to fiery depending on the brand. A finishing drizzle rather than a cooking oil — added at the end so the flavor and color stay bright.
Used for
- noodles
- dumplings
- fried rice
- finishing dishes
In the kitchen
- drizzle at the end rather than cooking with it
- shake before using — the chili flakes and sediment settle
- spoon out the flakes too, not just the oil, for more heat and texture
Picking it at the store
- Chinese-style (often with crunchy fried garlic or shallot bits, labeled 'chili crisp') is thicker and more textured than a clear Italian-style chili oil — check which a recipe expects
- Heat level varies enormously by brand — taste a drop before drizzling generously over a finished dish
Related terms
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