The Spicy Dollar Tree Condiment That Gives Everything 10x More Flavor

In our opinion, the best groceries to buy at Dollar Tree are those that offer the biggest flavor for the smallest price — when the average sticker is less than two dollars, one can really score some significant food boosters when they shop. At the supermarket, spices and condiments can be pricey and still manage to disappoint, but, at $1.50, Katayama Crunchy Chili Onion Home Spice is a big shortcut to FlavorTown in a little package. You can either find these 3.18-ounce jars individually at many local Dollar Tree stores or sold in cases of 24 on the Dollar Tree website, where they are available for shipping.

The substance that Dollar Tree calls "crunchy chili onion home spice" is widely referred to as either "crunchy chili oil" or "chili crisp," and its culinary roots run deep. Chinese foodies have long dabbed chili-flavored oils on their foods to lend heat and dimension to their meals. However, the North American craze for the textured version, which contains dried onion and fried bits of garlic, dates back only a few years. Lovers of Mexican cuisine will see parallels with salsa matcha, which is also crunchy and hot. 

Now, you can find versions of crunchy chili oil at just about every grocery store in town, but many will cost you a pretty penny. The Katayama crunchy chili offers approximately 18 teaspoon-sized servings that will add bold savor and a kiss of pleasant heat to most savory dishes. As a bonus, it costs less than most major stores will charge for a medium bottle of ketchup without nearly as much sophistication or versatility.

We previously discussed chili crisp as a pantry staple that gives Costco pizza a spicy upgrade, but, honestly, it might be easier to name the savory foods that we don't enjoy with a couple of generous spoonfuls of this condiment. Noodle dishes are a take-it-to-the-bank home run with the textured, piquant oil, whether you're enjoying ramen, udon, or pho (just to name a few). Likewise, if your meal features rice, there's a safe bet you're going to like it with some of Dollar Tree's chili crisp drizzled on top. Your morning eggs will sing, no matter what style you prefer — heck, social media users have even discussed the delights of savory oatmeal served with chili crisp. Where there's a desire for a little extra flavor, you will find a landing zone for this amazing finisher. Put it on pasta, mix it into popcorn, drop it into chili, whisk it into compound butter, or dribble it onto a flatbread.

It's a lucky matter of happenstance that this inexpensive jar of chili crisp compares favorably to its more expensive brethren, too. Ratings on Dollar Tree's site are positive, and reviews indicate that the jar contains heaps of flavor and possibility as a seasoning. Whether you pick your mealtime ingredients from the humble selection at your local dollar store or are spending a fortune at Whole Foods, we can at least say that you can save big on the crispy chili oil, because Dollar Tree's got you covered.