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small bowl of nuoc cham dipping sauce
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Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)

A spicy dipping sauce made of fish sauce, chilies, garlic, sugar, and lime juice, this is a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. 
Course Sauces
Cuisine Vietnamese
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 38kcal
Author Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (substitute palm sugar)
  • 2 Thai chilies diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ¾ cup fish sauce

Instructions

  • Whisk together the lime, warm water and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Slowly add the fish sauce, a little at a time until you reach your desired flavor. I find the amount in the recipe is perfect, but every one has their own tastes. 
  • Add the chilies and garlic and let it stand for 20 minutes at room temperature before serving.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Notes

  1. Adjust the amount of chilies to your spice preference. Remember that Thai chilies can be extremely spicy.
  2. Use warm water to help the sugar dissolve.
  3. Add the fish sauce slowly, tasting along the way, until you get the perfect flavor. You may have to add more/less depending on your preference.
  4. For a sweeter nuoc cham, reduce the amount of fish sauce to 5 tablespoons.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cups | Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1383mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg