Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

Name: Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1/4 cup fish sauce; 1/4 cup fresh lime juice; 1/4 cup warm water; 4 tsp granulated sugar; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 red Thai chili or Fresno chili, thinly sliced; 2 tsp rice vinegar

The quintessential Vietnamese table sauce - a bright, balanced blend of fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chili. Ready in minutes, it serves as a dip, dressing, or drizzle for spring rolls, grilled meats, rice noodles, and salads.

10 minEasyServes 835 cal/serving

VietnameseSauceNo-CookStandardLow CarbDairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup warm water
4 tsp granulated sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 red Thai chili or Fresno chili, thinly sliced
2 tsp rice vinegar

Instructions

1

Combine 4 tsp granulated sugar and 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves completely, about 1 minute.
2

Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, and 2 tsp rice vinegar and stir to combine.
3

Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced red Thai chili or Fresno chili.
4

Taste and adjust: more lime juice for tang, more fish sauce for depth, more sugar for sweetness.
5

Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Stir before using.

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Questions

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar in Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

The entry for Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce calls for 2 tsp rice vinegar. In its place: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, softened with a pinch of sugar, is close. Avoid plain distilled vinegar at full strength, which is much sharper.

Can I make Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce comes from 2 red Thai chili or Fresno chili, thinly sliced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the chili, or use half; nothing else in the method changes.

Is Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce low-carb?

A serving of Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce carries 6 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 30 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 6 percent.

Does Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce contain fish?

Yes: 1/4 cup fish sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I make Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce in a sealed jar and use it within four to five days. It also freezes flat in a bag for up to three months.

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