The perfect tangy, sweet and zesty homemade sauce for your seafood spread!
Whenever I make a seafood spread, this sauce always makes an appearance and has everyone saying “wow, what is this sauce!?” I know creamy sauces get all the attention (hello tartare and cocktail sauce), but this is the other seafood sauce you didn’t know you needed in your life. It works SO well as an accompaniment to creamy sauces in cutting through the richness and adding a point of interest, but is equally delicious on its own. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and spicy – but it’s only as spicy as the sweet chilli sauce you use, so you can dial the heat up or down.
Whether you are serving a seafood platter, fresh prawns (shrimp), crispy calamari, salt and pepper squid, grilled salmon, fish tacos, fish cakes or even fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls, this Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce is the sauce to make. The best part? It’s ready in minutes, no chopping or fuss required. The fresh lime juice brings brightness, the soy sauce adds a hint of umami, and a touch of honey balances it all out. Once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!
Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely! If you love a kick of heat, add chilli (red pepper) flakes, a splash of Tabasco, 1 teaspoon of finely chopped pickled jalapeños or even some finely chopped fresh chilli. Note that the sauce will only be as good as the sweet chilli sauce you start with. My favourite brand is Trident.
What else can I use this sauce for?
It’s not just for seafood! This sauce is amazing drizzled over roasted veggies, grilled chicken or even mixed into a noodle salad for a quick, flavour-packed dressing.
Watch how to make Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce
What are some other simple, delicious sauce recipes?
If you are looking for easy sauces to transform your meals, try:
Mushroom Sauce
Bechamel Sauce
And check out my blog article 12 Quick and Easy Salad Dressings, which is packed full of simple dressings and sauces.
Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce
Bright, sweet and perfectly balanced, this Sweet Chilli Lime Sauce is a must for your next seafood feast. Ready in minutes, it’s the sauce you didn’t know you needed!
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: About ½ cup (125 ml) 1x
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) sweet chilli sauce (see note 1)
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp all-purpose soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, honey, soy sauce and garlic.
- Stir in the chopped coriander for freshness, if desired.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to use.
Equipment
Notes
Note 1 – The sauce will only be as good as the sweet chilli sauce you start with. My favourite brand is Trident.
Make Ahead
Prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavours will deepen as it sits, making it taste even better for your seafood spread.
Leftovers
Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Category: Dips, Sauces & Dressings
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian-inspired
