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Sambal Oelek

Indonesian chilli paste of ground fresh chilli, salt and vinegar.

Sambal Oelek — illustrative ingredient image

About Sambal Oelek

Sambal Oelek is an Indonesian chilli paste made from ground fresh chilli, salt, and vinegar. It is used as a condiment or as a cooking paste in savory dishes, where its relatively direct chilli character can be incorporated during preparation or added at the table.

Its flavor is principally fresh and hot, with acidity from vinegar and seasoning from salt. As a ground paste, it is thicker and more textured than a pourable sauce, although the exact coarseness and intensity can vary with the product and preparation.

Sambal Oelek is sold as a prepared paste, commonly in jars or other packaged containers. Grinding changes fresh chilli into a spoonable, coarse or smoother mass, while cooking it in a dish disperses its flavor and may soften its apparent sharpness.

Ingredient type
paste

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Where sambal oelek appears

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Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for sambal oelek

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Sambal Oelek

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Sambal Oelek nutrition & diet

Sambal Oelek nutritional value

Product example: SAMBAL OELEK (Huy Fong Foods Inc.)

Per 100 g of this specific product as recorded by USDA, per 100 g.

Calories
0kcal
Protein
0.0g
Carbs
0.0g
Fat
0.0g

A product-specific label example, not a generic average. Formulations can change; use the nutrition label on the product being eaten.

Portions & preparation

Use the stated fresh-chili, salt, and vinegar paste only when that is the product identity. Texture and concentration vary with grinding and draining, while commercial versions may add sugar, preservatives, or other ingredients. Match the reference to the measured condiment portion actually used.

Compare the right form: Match a reference to ready-to-eat Sambal Oelek made from the identified recipe or brand, including chili solids, vinegar, salt, and additions.

Diet considerations

Traditional Sambal Oelek is plant-derived when its listed ingredients are chili, salt, and vinegar, but commercial recipes may differ. Check for sweeteners, starches, oils, or animal-derived flavorings. The small condiment portion usually contributes a different carbohydrate pattern from using the paste as a cooking base.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central branded product — SAMBAL OELEK ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .