Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)

Name: Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 3 tbsp fish sauce; 3 tbsp fresh lime juice; 1/4 cup warm water; 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 fresh red Thai chili or serrano, thinly sliced; 2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)

A bright, balanced Vietnamese dipping sauce with bold fish sauce, fresh lime, garlic, and a touch of sugar and chili heat, essential for spring rolls, grilled meats, and noodle bowls.

10 minEasyServes 640 cal/serving

VietnameseSauceNo-CookPescatarianLow CarbGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 cup warm water
1.5 tbsp granulated sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 fresh red Thai chili or serrano, thinly sliced
2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)

Instructions

1

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup warm water and 1.5 tbsp granulated sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.
2

Add 3 tbsp fish sauce, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang). Stir to combine.
3

Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced fresh red Thai chili or serrano.
4

Taste and adjust: add more lime juice for brightness, more fish sauce for depth, or more sugar to balance. Serve immediately at room temperature or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.

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Questions

What can I use instead of rice vinegar in Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)?

The entry for Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce) calls for 2 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang). 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 (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce) less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce) comes from 1 fresh red Thai chili or serrano, 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 (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce) low-carb?

A serving of Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese 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.

How many calories are in Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 40 calories, with 4 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate and 1 g fat, plus 64 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

How do I store and reheat Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)?

Refrigerate Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese 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.

Serve it with

Caramelized Pork Bowls main
Vietnamese Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls starter
Stew Peas main

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