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Last updated on May 12th, 2024 at 07:18 pm

Spicy and sour Filipino spiced vinegar also called Ilocano artem is the perfect choice of condiment for grilled and fried food.

This spiced vinegar dipping sauce is a condiment that has many versions. But it is mainly chillies, garlic, and peppercorns pickled in vinegar. Left to pickle for a week or longer for a more intense flavor. And then enjoyed with grilled and fried food.

My youngest brother used to make this a lot so I did not make this often. I remember it being called artem from the Ilokano word inartem or pickled in vinegar. We would take this out of the kitchen shelf when my brother has cooked something good or when a matured duck egg or balut seller comes along and we bought a pack of pork cracklings.

As we are part Ilocano, this spiced vinegar is made according to our Ilocano roots. And being so called artem which means pickled in vinegar. This growing up was always homemade but recently they are available on roadside stalls which could be bought as present. Nothing like the homemade if you know me specially when birds-eye chillies are aplenty. As this is super simple to make and easily stored in the cupboard as a pot pickles and matures as it ages. Yumminess!

What is spiced vinegar dipping sauce?

Spiced vinegar dipping sauce is a popular Filipino condiment made by pickling chilies, garlic and peppercorns.

Ingredients and substitutions

The ingredients for artem are listed below, however, there is no need to measure them but basic ratios to get you started is in the recipe card. Feel free to add or omit any of the suggested additional or optional ingredients.

Vinegar – Traditionally cane vinegar is used to make spiced vinegar. Substitute with white wine vinegar, coconut vinegar, rice vinegar, or cider vinegar. Yes, you can use cider vinegar, just bear in mind that these kinds of vinegar vary in acidity and flavor and may subtly alter the taste.

Garlic – fresh cloves of garlic is a must. If you try or have tried garlic powder please leave a comment and share with us how it works. It’s because powdered spices may cause the finished product to darken and come out cloudy.

Black peppercorns – substitute with white pepper

Chillies – For this recipe Thai chillies were used but use bird eye chillies but by all means or other spicier kinds of chilli peppers available.

Optional and suggested ingredients

bay leaves

lemongrass

ginger

onion

It is important to note to use fresh whole spices to ensure the finest quality and flavor in pickles.

How to make the dipping sauce?

This does not have any measurements just go with how you feel at the time when you make it or eyeball it.

Start by smashing cloves of garlic with the back of a knife. That is the hardest part in this process.

Seriously, in a clean jar drop your chillies cloves of garlic salt and peppercorns then pour enough vinegar to cover or steep all the spices. Put the lid on and give it a little shake. Forget about it for a week while it pickles in the cupboard.

Remember that you can customize this recipe by adjusting the ingredients to your liking, adding more chillies, spices or aromatics such as adding more vinegar, bay leaves, lemongrass, ginger or onion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is artem?

Artem is a spicy vinegar from the Ilocos region of the Philippines. It is similar to sukang maanghang or spicy vinegar in Filipino or Tagalog.

What is Filipino or Pinoy spiced vinegar used for?

Spiced vinegar used as a dipping sauce for fried or grilled food. Try this as a dipping sauce for crispy battered fish or tortang talong or mix the vinegar with soy sauce as a condiment to serve aside Filipino garlic fried rice, chicken adobo, chicken curry and even golden fried rice.

Use the spiced vinegar to make ensaladang talong and ensaladang labanos too.

As I don’t have many recipes for fried or grilled protein and vegetables how about dropping by popular sites for inspiration or ideas on how Filipinos usually have artem or sukang maanghang. Try it with Lumpia of Jeanelleats, pork skewers of Panlasang Pinoy, litson kawali or deep fried pork belly by Foxy Folksy, or try the vegan fried tofu and ‘pork’ of Foodie Takes Flight.

How long does spiced vinegar last?

Artem will keep indefinitely and the flavors will continue to develop over time.

What is spiced vinegar made of?

Filipino spiced vinegar is a condiment made by infusing vinegar with spices primarily chillies and garlic.

What to serve with spiced vinegar?

Generally known as sawsawan, this pairs well with a variety of grilled and fried food.

Storage

Store in clean jars or glass bottles with a tight-fitting lid.

It’s your turn to make this sawsawan and enjoy with your grilled or fried food.

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