This is our take on the classic Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce, just like the ones you find drizzled over a doner kebab in takeaway shops across England. Packed with the bold heat of red chillis, this hot chilli sauce is perfect for adding a fiery kick to your favourite dishes.
Serve it with our Takeaway Chicken Kebab or Takeaway Lamb Shish Kebab recipe, or use it to spice up grilled meats, wraps, or even chips! It’s quick and easy to make, ready in just 15 minutes—so you can enjoy that authentic takeaway flavour at home in no time!
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The recipe card is just below, so you can get started straight away, but keep reading for our top tips and tricks to make the best hot chilli and tomato sauce for your kebab and more!
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Chilli Peppers - please see notes below for help with choosing chillies and how many to use
- 1 Red Onion
- 2 Shallots - or 1 small onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoon Sundried Tomato puree - or 3 tablespoon regular tomato puree
- 400 g Chopped Tomatoes
- ½ Lemon
- 1 tablespoon Sugar - or sweetener
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper - to taste
- Parsley - a handful of chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cut the 2 Chilli Peppers in half and remove seeds (optional). Cut 1 Red Onion and 2 Shallots into smaller pieces to fit into a mini food processor or blender.
- Add 2 cloves Garlic and blitz them to make a lump-free chilli paste.
- Fry the chilli and garlic paste with 2 tablespoon Sundried Tomato puree (or regular Tomato Puree) for a few minutes.
- Add 400 g Chopped Tomatoes chopped tomatoes in a large pan until heated through.
- Add 1 tablespoon Sugar, and a small squeeze from ½ Lemon (don’t add too much lemon, you can always add more later if needed). Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, add in 3 tablespoon olive oil, freshly chopped Parsley , salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add more juice from the ½ Lemon now you can.Serve this kebab shop chilli sauce warm or cold!
Video
Notes
Medium Chilli Pepper 🌶️🌶️
Extra hot-3 large chillies.Hot- 2 large Chilies
Medium- 1 large Chilli
Mild- 1 small Chilli
Mild Chilli
Pepper 🌶️
Extra hot- 4 Chillies.Hot- 3 Chilies
Medium- 2 Chillies
Mild- 1 Chilli
Nutrition
This Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce recipe was originally posted 07th February 2020 and was updated on the 14th February 2025. To move the recipe card higher in the post for better user experience.
How many chilli peppers should I use?
You can adjust the number of chillies in this sauce to match your preferred heat level.
We used medium heat Moroccan hot chillies from Morrisons because that’s what was available—but you can experiment with different varieties!
With so many types of hot chillies out there, it’s tricky to give an exact number, as everyone’s spice tolerance is different. If you want an extra fiery kick, try a Scotch Bonnet! Below is a rough guide to help you find the perfect balance of heat.
Medium Chilli Pepper 🌶️🌶️
Extra hot-3 large chillies.
Hot- 2 large Chilies
Medium- 1 large Chilli
Mild- 1 small Chilli
Mild Chilli Pepper 🌶️
Extra hot- 4 Chillies.
Hot- 3 Chilies
Medium- 2 Chillies
Mild- 1 Chilli
Should I remove the seeds in the chilli peppers?
I always remove the chilli seeds and white pith from the peppers, but this step is completely optional!
The white membrane inside the chilli, where the chilli seeds are attached, is actually the hottest part of the pepper. Some prefer to keep it for extra heat, while others remove it for a milder flavour—it all comes down to personal taste!
How to make a chilli sauce like a kebab shop?
To make this chili sauce, start by blending red onion, shallots, garlic cloves, and hot chillies in a small blender or food processor until it is a smooth consistency.
Next, heat a large cast-iron pan and fry the chilli paste with sundried tomato puree (you can use regular tomato puree instead) and tinned tomatoes to deepen the flavour.
Stir in garlic, sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice—but be careful not to add too much lemon at first, as you can always adjust later. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes to let the flavours develop.
Finally, remove from the heat and mix in olive oil, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Your kebab shop-style chili sauce is ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
Now that you've made this delicious chilli sauce, just like the kind from a kebab shop or kebab van, it's time to put together the ultimate homemade kebab!
Start with a warm pitta bread or flatbread, then load it up with chicken shish, lamb shish, or even over any roasted vegetable. Add a generous dollop of hot chilli sauce for that signature kick!
Next, customise your kebab with your favourite Turkish-style kebab salad. Choose from:
- Shredded red cabbage or white cabbage
- Crisp iceberg lettuce
- White or red onion
- Sliced tomatoes and cucumber
- Pickled chillies
The pickled chillies found served with kebab salad are usually sold in most supermarkets down the tinned food aisle in a jar.
Other Sauces for Kebabs
Drizzle over some homemade Yogurt and Mint Sauce or garlic sauces such as our garlic mayo to balance the heat.
Another delicious way to serve this kebab chilli sauce is with rice and salad, making it a great alternative to pitta or flatbread.
This kebab shop-style chilli sauce pairs perfectly with all types of grilled fish, meat, or poultry, adding a bold, spicy kick to any meal!
Storage Tips
This recipe makes enough chilli sauce to serve 8 people, but if you have leftovers, don’t worry—it stores beautifully!
- Refrigerate: Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the sauce in portioned containers or ice cube trays. Simply defrost in the fridge overnight or reheat gently when you're ready to enjoy it again!
Perfect for having a homemade batch of chilli sauce ready whenever you need it!
More Takeaway Style Recipes
Crave something different; check out more of our easy to follow takeaway recipes. From Chinese chicken wings, Chicken Pathia Curry, Indian balti curry
To Pad Thai, American spicy chicken burger, London pie mash and liquor- and more, we've got all the classics covered.
Biana says
This sauce looks great! I bet it will be great on sandwiches or just served with meats as well.
Kay says
Thanks, Biana
This chilli sauce would go great on sandwiches 🙂
Enjoy!!
Jeri says
This was delicious and so easy to make! Thank you for your detailed recipe!
Kay says
Thank you, Jeri 🙂
Glad you found the recipe helpful and you enjoyed the chilli sauce recipe!!
Anjali says
This chili sauce turned out to be so flavorful!! I can't wait to use it on some roasted veggies for dinner tonight!
Kay says
Thanks, Anjali
That sound fab chilli sauce on roasted veggies 🙂
Enjoy!!
Teresa N’Guessan says
I absolutely love this recipe. I made the first batch with fresh tomatoes and chillies from my allotment and froze it in portions. Just about to make more! Great recipe. Thank you so much.
Luke says
That is great to hear! We love our chilli sauce too, bet it tastes fantastic with fresh ingredients straight from the allotment!
John says
Fantastic article. I had struggled for years with this and came up with my own recipe. This is very similar. Lots of thought and effort. Thank you.
Great recipe.
Kay says
Thanks John, glad you enjoyed the article, great minds think alike 😉
Madiva says
Made this for my son who eats chilli sauce with almost everything and he absolutely loves it. Thank you for sharing.
Kay says
So glad to hear your son approved! You will have to make up double batches! 😉
Julie Smith says
Can I use dried chillies in this recipe.
paul crake says
great little chilli recipe works every time i use 4 scotch bonnet chillis and it as just the right kick of heat
Kay says
Thank you Paul, got to love a switch bonnet, bet that gives a nice spicy kick!
Ramona says
This sauce looks amazing and I love a good kebab shop sauce. Cannot wait to make this and keep in the fridge to use again and again.
Kay says
You will love it!
Jacque Hastert says
I like mine extra hot and you provided that and also included what everyone would like. I can't wait to crush up some peppers and make this.
Kay says
Glad to have been of help! Everyone has there preference for how hot they can go!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is a must in every kebab food will be dealing as this looks so delicious and yummy. Loved the ingredients comes with this sauce, plus the add factor of making this a chili flavor.
Kay says
Thank you for your kind words Amy 🙂
Emily says
This chilli sauce recipe is delicious and I appreciate all the tips and info about how to make it!
Kay says
Always our pleasure Emily 😉
Stine Mari says
I love how you made a list for people to follow their own hotness preferences! I'll take mine hot hot please and yumm!
Kay says
You are brave, I have to stop Luke from adding more!!
Jacqui DeBono says
This makes me miss kebab shops so much! I am going to have to try this, even if we don't have the kebab to go with it!
Kay says
We have posted a Chicken Kebab recipe too!!
Alex Ryder says
Great idea, I need to start making more of my own condiments so will have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kay says
Our pleasure Alex, hope you enjoy!
Nyxie says
This looks gorgeous. It may be intended to have with rice but I think this would go great with nachos!
Kay says
Great idea Nyxie!
Lorna Dickson says
Beautiful sauce to make chicken kebab tonight din dins
Luke says
Glad you enjoyed Lorna 🙂