Best 5 Classic Vietnamese Dipping Sauce NÆác Cháºm Recipes

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**Discover the Symphony of Flavors: Explore Classic Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm) and Its Versatile Recipes**

In the culinary realm of Vietnam, dipping sauces reign supreme, adding an extra layer of umami and depth to an array of dishes. Among these sauces, Nước Chấm stands tall as a classic and versatile condiment that elevates everything from fresh spring rolls to grilled meats and vegetables. This article offers a comprehensive guide to making the perfect Nước Chấm, along with three distinct variations tailored to suit different palates and preferences.

1. **Classic Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nước Chấm):** This fundamental recipe serves as the backbone of Vietnamese cuisine, striking a perfect balance between sweet, sour, and savory notes. With fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili peppers as its core ingredients, this sauce is a symphony of flavors that complements any dish.

2. **Nước Chấm with Peanuts:** This variation adds a nutty twist to the classic Nước Chấm, creating a rich and creamy texture. Roasted peanuts are ground into a fine powder and incorporated into the sauce, adding a delectable layer of flavor and aroma.

3. **Nước Chấm with Mango:** For a vibrant and tropical twist, this recipe introduces the sweetness of ripe mangoes. Mangoes are blended into a smooth puree and added to the sauce, resulting in a vibrant orange color and a unique fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled meats and seafood.

4. **Nước Chấm with Pineapple:** This variation brings a touch of tangy sweetness to the classic sauce. Pineapple is grated and added to the sauce, infusing it with a tropical flair and a subtle hint of acidity. This version is particularly refreshing when served with grilled chicken or tofu.

With its versatility and ability to enhance the flavors of various dishes, Nước Chấm is an essential condiment in Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or enjoy exploring its flavorful variations, this article provides all the necessary guidance and recipes to create the perfect dipping sauce that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE SPICY DIPPING SAUCE)



Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Spicy Dipping Sauce) image

This sauce can be used for dipping veggies, meats, or egg rolls. It's also great spooned over a bowl of steaming hot pho or other rice noodle soup. For me this sauce IS the flavor of Vietnamese cooking. Enjoy! This can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Provided by CJ

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 ½ fluid ounces water
6 spicy red chile peppers, seeded and minced
6 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fish sauce
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • Stir water, chile peppers, garlic, fish sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves into the liquid; remove from heat and set aside to cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Stir lemon juice into the cooled liquid.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 36.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.7 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 0.9 g, Sodium 440.8 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE)



Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce) image

My personal take on a traditional dipping sauce. A little bit sweet, but mostly savory with a nice bit of heat. I make this a minimum of 24 hours before I use it to let the flavors mingle. Leftover sauce can be kept for three to four weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If this isn't to your taste as written, experiment! Everyone's tastes are different! Some like their nuoc cham really sweet and mild, some like it tangy with heat. Mine tends to be more towards the tangy heat side. So, before you add the garlic, onion, and vinegar, sample it and adjust the ingredient amounts to suit your liking. Keep in mind that this recipe is LOUD when you first make it. The flavors mingle and mature a bit after the first 24 hours. I hope you enjoy!

Provided by Calamity in the kitchen

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 8

¼ cup white sugar
½ cup warm water
¼ cup fish sauce
⅓ cup distilled white vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Thai chile peppers, chopped
1 green onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Stir the sugar and warm water together in a bowl until the sugar dissolves completely; add the fish sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Thai chile peppers, and green onion to the mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 14.9 calories, Carbohydrate 3.7 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 219.8 mg, Sugar 3 g

VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE



Vietnamese Dipping Sauce image

An easy Nuoc Cham recipe - Vietnamese Dipping Sauce. This recipe originally accompanied Crispy Spring Rolls. Nuoc cham is a must at every Vietnamese table, no matter what is served.

Provided by Mai Pham

Categories     Sauce     Garlic     Pepper     No-Cook     Quick & Easy     Lime

Yield Makes about 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 Thai bird chilies or 1 serrano chili, or to taste
1 clove garlic, sliced
3 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons finely shredded carrots for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Cut the chilies into thin rings. Remove one-third of the chilies and set aside for garnish. Place the remaining chilies, garlic and sugar in a mortar, and pound into a coarse, wet paste. (If you don't have a mortar, just chop with a knife.) Transfer to a small bowl and add the water, lime juice and fish sauce. Stir well to dissolve. Add the reserved chilies and carrots. Set aside for 10 minutes before serving.
  • NOTE: Nuoc cham is very amenable to variations and adaptations. In Vietnam, cooks like to use various vegetables to flavor the sauce, such as thinly sliced marinated daikon and carrots, ginger, scallion oil or peanuts and even slices of kohlrabi and the core of a white cabbage. Each imparts a distinctive savoriness.

NUOC CHAM



Nuoc Cham image

A classic Vietnamese condiment with a base of fish sauce, nuoc cham brings a bouquet of garlic and chile notes to everything that absorbs it. Extremely versatile, it's served alongside a wide range of dishes, adding heat, sweetness and savor to rice, grilled meat and fish.

Provided by Yewande Komolafe

Categories     sauces and gravies

Time 5m

Yield About 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 to 2 bird's-eye chiles, minced with seeds

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk the sugar into 1/4 cup water until dissolved. Stir in the lime juice, fish sauce, garlic and chiles to combine.
  • Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve as a dipping sauce for fried spring rolls, and as a topping for noodle and rice salads, or grilled meats and fish. Mix with soups, greens or cooked vegetables to perk them up.

VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE (NUOC CHAM)



Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham) image

Provided by Nina Simonds

Categories     condiments

Time 10m

Yield 1 cup (for 20 rolls)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 small fresh red chili pepper, minced (ends and seeds removed), or 1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes
Juice of 3 limes or 2 lemons
1/4 cup nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce)
4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons grated carrots

Steps:

  • Soak red peppers or chili flakes in the juice for 2 minutes.
  • Add the fish sauce, sugar and garlic, and stir to dissolve the sugar.
  • Pour into a serving bowl, and add the shredded carrots.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 151, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 38 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 2835 milligrams, Sugar 30 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality fish sauce: The type of fish sauce you use will greatly affect the taste of the dipping sauce. Look for a brand that is made with fresh anchovies and has a rich, umami flavor.
  • Use fresh lime juice: Lime juice adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the dipping sauce. Use fresh lime juice whenever possible, as bottled lime juice can be bitter.
  • Add a touch of sweetness: A little bit of sugar or honey can help to balance out the acidity of the lime juice and fish sauce. Add the sweetener gradually and taste the sauce as you go, so that you don't add too much.
  • Use fresh garlic and chili peppers: Fresh garlic and chili peppers add a lot of flavor to the dipping sauce. If you don't have fresh garlic or chili peppers on hand, you can use dried garlic and chili flakes, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • Let the sauce sit for a while before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop. If you're short on time, you can serve the sauce immediately, but it will be even better if you let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Conclusion:

Vietnamese dipping sauce is a versatile condiment that can be used with a variety of dishes. It is a delicious and easy way to add flavor and depth to your meals. With its bold and flavorful combination of fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chili peppers, this sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

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