Nuoc Cham Vietnamese Hot Sauce
Elevate your meals with Nuoc Cham, a quintessential Vietnamese hot sauce that strikes the perfect balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy flavors. This no-cook, 10-minute recipe combines fish sauce, fresh lime juice, and rice vinegar for a punchy base, while garlic and a fiery red bird’s eye chili add bold layers of flavor. A touch of sugar dissolves into warm water for just the right hint of sweetness, and optional grated carrots provide a vibrant garnish. Ideal for dipping spring rolls, drizzling over vermicelli bowls, or pairing with grilled meats, this versatile sauce is a must-have condiment to infuse authentic Vietnamese flair into your dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Warm water
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons Fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1 piece Red bird's eye chili
- 1 teaspoon Rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Grated carrot (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the warm water and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup base.
Add the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, and rice vinegar to the bowl. Mix well to combine the liquid ingredients.
Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Thinly slice the red bird's eye chili and remove seeds for less heat, if desired.
Add the minced garlic and chili slices to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute the flavors.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more lime juice for sourness, fish sauce for saltiness, or sugar for sweetness as desired.
If using grated carrots as a garnish, stir them into the sauce or sprinkle them on top for added texture and color.
Transfer the Nuoc Cham to a small serving bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve alongside your favorite Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, vermicelli bowls, or grilled meats.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
148 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3780 mg | 164% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.7 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.9 g | ||
| Protein | 3.8 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 48 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 549 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
