How Sambal Oelek is Made in a Factory | Made of What?

belacan (fermented shrimp paste)

🥗Healthier: miso paste

💰Cheaper: soy sauce

Miso provides umami flavor without seafood.

fresh red chilies

🥗Healthier: jalapeños

💰Cheaper: dried red chilies

Jalapeños offer similar heat with less cost.

Chilies are harvested from farms where thousands of peppers grow under the sun.

Chilies are shipped to the factory and undergo a deep clean in a giant washing system.

Chilies are tumbled in water, rinsed several times, and scrubbed to remove dust, dirt, and bugs.

Chilies go through a sorting line to remove damaged or underripe ones, ensuring only the best chilies are used.

Chilies are ground using industrial machines that crush thousands of pounds per hour, maintaining a coarse texture with seeds and chili skin included.

Ground chilies are mixed with salt and distilled white vinegar to create the sambal ole paste.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens