Sambal Jagung: The Great Crispy Corn Sambal

Welcome to another great sambal recipe! Sambal jagung is a well known sambal that uses corn as one of it’s main ingredients. Definitely try out this one if you’re into a more mild and sweet sambal!

To make sambal jagung, simply chop and grind some chillies and shallots as usual. Fry the ground ingredients and add corn. Optionally add some sugar and water but that’s it!

What is sambal jagung?

Sambal Jagung stands out for using corn, a surprising ingredient that adds sweetness and texture.

In the rich history of Indonesian food, sambal jagung is a unique touch. It’s used as a condiment or in main dishes, adding a hint of sweetness to balance the spiciness of its chili base.

Let’s get started with the recipe!

Step 1: Collect the ingredients

Note: the given kcal count is rough estimate based on a 3 tbsp serving.

What to consider when choosing the ingredients

Starting with the chillies, they are the corn counterpart of the sambal. For sambal jagung, bright colors mean not just good photos but a range of flavors. Think of the mix of heat and subtle hints that only fresh red and green large chilies can provide.

The salam leaves bring that distinct Indonesian cuisine, using a very popular herb for the most traditional sambal!

Use some good looking and firm shallots, pick some fresh or canned corn to go with it and you’re good to go!

Step 2: Grind the ingredients

Wash and chop the chillies, peel the shallots and roughly chop them, your food processor should do the work here.

Step 3: Fry sambal jagung

Set a frying pan with some (sunflower) oil on medium heat, let it heat up and add the ground ingredients. Lightly fry for a few minutes before adding the fresh or canned corn and the salam leaves.

Keep frying this mixture for a few minutes. If you want a sweeter taste, add a bit of water and palm sugar of brown sugar and let the moisture evaporate.

Have a taste and add salt accordingly!

Step 4: Serve and conserve sambal jagung

That’s it! Another very easy sambal to make, serve this one as usual with rice, curries, noodles, fried meats, fish you name it! I can recommend the following:

• Nasi kandar
• Nasi lemak
• Nasi minyak
• Nasi kuning
• Nasi uduk

Or try some other sambals!

• Sambal tumis
• Sambal aceh
• Sambal uduk
• Sambal oelek
• Sambal santan

I hope you’ve liked this recipe and if you did please leave a rating and let me know what you think!