Best 14 Nuoc Cham Sauce Recipes

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Nuoc cham sauce, pronounced "noo-awk chaam," is a staple condiment in Vietnamese cuisine. This flavorful dipping sauce is commonly served with a variety of dishes, including grilled meats, spring rolls, and vermicelli bowls. Nuoc cham is made with a combination of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili peppers, which gives it a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Whether you're a seasoned Vietnamese food enthusiast or a curious home cook looking to expand your culinary horizons, this article will guide you through the process of creating the perfect nuoc cham sauce, ensuring that your Vietnamese dishes come to life with authentic flavors.

Here are our top 14 tried and tested recipes!

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

NUOC CHAM SAUCE



Nuoc Cham Sauce image

A classic Vietnamese dipping sauce. Serve with grilled lemon grass beef (Bo Nuang Xa).

Provided by Ben S.

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
4 tablespoons fish sauce
1 cup water

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl combine the garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce and water. Mix all together, adjusting to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 31.9 calories, Carbohydrate 7.6 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.6 g, Sodium 731.1 mg, Sugar 6.7 g

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

FISH SAUCE DIP (NUOC CHAM)



Fish Sauce Dip (Nuoc Cham) image

This recipe for fish sauce, from chef Bobby Chinn's cookbook, "Wild, Wild East," is served with his delicious Fresh Spring Rolls and Minced Meat, Crab, and Grapefruit Vietnamese Salad.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Cuisine-Inspired Recipes

Yield Makes about 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 teaspoon rice-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 finger-length Thai bird's-eye chile, finely chopped and seeds removed, if desired, for a milder sauce
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons Vietnamese fish sauce

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, mix together vinegar, sugar, and 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Stir in chile, garlic, and lime juice until well combined; stir in fish sauce.

NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE SPICY FISH SAUCE)



Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Spicy Fish Sauce) image

A delicious sauce that goes well with Vietnamese soups and appetizers; if you find it too strong, try increasing the sugar in the recipe a little bit and adding a little water.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 1 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 red chili peppers, minced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
3 teaspoons sugar or 1 1/2 packages artificial sweetener
1/2 cup fish sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, to taste
1 cup water

Steps:

  • Mash peppers, garlic and sugar into a paste, using mortar and pestle.
  • Add the fish sauce, lime juice and water.
  • Blend well.
  • Seal and refrigerate.

NUOC MAM CHAM - DIPPING FISH SAUCE



Nuoc Mam Cham - Dipping Fish Sauce image

Make and share this Nuoc Mam Cham - Dipping Fish Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Nat Da Brat

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup water
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
2 small fresh chili peppers

Steps:

  • Boil water with vinegar and sugar; allow it to cool.
  • Combine garlic, peppers, and add mixture.
  • Stir in the fish sauce.

NUOC CHAM SAUCE - DIPPING FISH SAUCE



Nuoc Cham Sauce - Dipping Fish Sauce image

Make and share this Nuoc Cham Sauce - Dipping Fish Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Karen From Colorado

Categories     Sauces

Time 15m

Yield 1 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup water
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Boil water with vinegar and sugar; allow it to cool.
  • Combine garlic, peppers, and add mixture.
  • Stir in the fish sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161, Fat 0.1, Sodium 4636.6, Carbohydrate 38, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 36, Protein 3.4

VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE--VEGAN NUOC CHAM ALTERNATIVE



Vietnamese Dipping Sauce--Vegan Nuoc Cham Alternative image

Adapted from Hot Sour Salty Sweet. This is not meant to replicate the flavor of Nuoc Cham, which uses fish sauce, but can be used in the same way.

Provided by Chocolatl

Categories     Sauces

Time 5m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 teaspoon garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lemongrass, finely chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 bird chile, minced
1 teaspoon peanut oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Combine soy sauce and rice wine in a small bowl.
  • Place garlic and lemongrass in a mortar and pound into a paste.
  • Add garlic mixture to soy mixture.
  • Stir in cinnamon and chile.
  • Stir in oil, sugar and salt and mix well.
  • Store refrigerated in a tightly-covered container for up to 3 days.

NUOC CHAM (VIETNAMESE HOT SAUCE)



Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Hot Sauce) image

Make and share this Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Hot Sauce) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by HappyBunny

Categories     Vietnamese

Time 5m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon lime peel, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons sugar

Steps:

  • Increase the amount of red pepper flakes to suit taste.
  • Combine garlic, lime peel, and red pepper flakes then add lime juice, fish sauce, water, and sugar.
  • Whisk until all ingredients are blended and sugar is dissolved.
  • Will keep short periods if refrigerated.
  • Serve: Used on vegetables, meats and fish by the Vietnamese.

VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE (NUOC CHAM) RECIPE



VIETNAMESE DIPPING SAUCE (NUOC CHAM) RECIPE image

Categories     Vegetable

Yield 1 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup fish sauce (Viet Huong Three Crabs brand)
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 of a lime, juiced
3-4 cloves of garlic , minced
2-3 Thai chili pepper, minced

Steps:

  • 1) In a small sealable jar, combine water and sugar and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add fish sauce, vinegar and lime juice and mix. Adjust flavors to taste. 2) Add garlic and chili pepper. The sauce can be stored at room temperature, if served the same day. Otherwise, store it in the refrigerator.

NUOC CHAM DIPPING SAUCE



Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce image

Provided by Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez

Categories     Garlic     Vegetable     Quick & Easy     Vinegar     Lime     Summer     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup Asian fish sauce, preferably nuoc mam
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 fresh Thai chile (2 to 3 inches; preferably red) including seeds, thinly sliced crosswise

Steps:

  • Stir together sugar and water in a bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients and chill, covered, at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop. Bring to room temperature before serving (this will take about 1 hour).

NUOC CHAM (SPRING ROLL SAUCE)



Nuoc Cham (spring roll sauce) image

A delicious dipping sauce for spring rolls! I like to put it on pork chops or shrimp too, served over rice. Please Note: The sauce will be very thin. I recommend serving it in individual dishes for each person to dip their spring roll in.

Provided by canarygirl

Categories     Sauces

Time 10m

Yield 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 tablespoons nuoc nam (fish sauce)
2 cloves garlic
2 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3 dried red peppers (the tiny ones)
1/2 limes, juice of or 1/2 lemon, juice of
1/4 cup water, maybe a little less

Steps:

  • Using a mortar and pestle, mash garlic and cayenne peppers together with the powdered sugar.
  • Add fish sauce, water and lime (or lemon) and mix well.
  • This recipe can easily be doubled.
  • Add finely shredded carrot and thinly sliced cilantro and green onion for garnish.

DIPPING SAUCE WITH GINGER (NUOC CHAM GUNG)



Dipping Sauce With Ginger (Nuoc Cham Gung) image

Vietnamese. From "The Little Saigon Cookbook". Great on salads, chicken, fish and spring rolls.

Provided by Engrossed

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon chili paste
1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce
2/3 cup water

Steps:

  • Whisk together ingredients in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
  • Let sit at room temperature for a few hours to allow flavors to blend then use or refrigerate.

SPRING ROLLS WITH NUOC CHAM DIPPING SAUCE



Spring Rolls With Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce image

This is a Nigel Slater recipe from The Observer Food Monthly magazine. I haven't made it myself yet, but posted it here for future use and safekeeping, as I thought it sounded great. The sauce is a vegetarian version of the Vietnamese classic. You can also add a little extra crunch by adding some shredded carrot. If you make it let me know what you think please! cooking time includes infusion time for the sauce. (The coriander in the recipe refers to cilantro.)

Provided by -Sylvie-

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h35m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

40 g rice noodles
5 spring onions, mainly the white parts, chopped finely
2 carrots, peeled and cut to matchstick size
1 1/4 cups bean sprouts (the recipe calls for 2 large handfuls)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and cut into fine slivers
18 mint leaves, torn into small pieces
6 large egg roll wraps
oil, for frying
2 small hot red chili peppers, chopped very finely
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
6 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 tablespoons caster sugar
1 large lime, juice of
1 bunch coriander leaves, chopped

Steps:

  • For the Spring Rolls.
  • In a bowl with warm water soak the rice noodles until soft, approximately five minutes.
  • Drain and mix with the carrot, spring onion, bean shoots.
  • garlic and mint.
  • On a flat surface lay out a spring roll wrapper and place 1/6 of the mix in the middle.
  • Roll the whole thing up, so that it looks like a fat sausage.
  • Using a little water, moisten the edges to seal, also folding over the ends.
  • Repeat.
  • Heat oil in a dep frying pan (make sure the is quite a bit of room between the oil and the top of the pan as it will bubble up when you put the spring rolls in).
  • Fry the spring rolls for 2-3 minutes, turning once, until crisp and golden brown.
  • Drain of excess fat on kitchen paper.
  • Serve hot with dipping sauce.
  • For the Dipping Sauce.
  • Put the Soy sauce, water, vinegar and sugar in a small pan and heat until it nearly comes to a boil.
  • The sugar should dissolve if you stir it well before the sauce boils.
  • Remove from heat and leave to cool.
  • Once cool add all the other ingredients and leave for at least an hour to infuse before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients. Fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits will give your nước chấm sauce the best flavor.
  • Adjust the ingredients to your taste. Nước chấm sauce is a versatile sauce, so you can adjust the ingredients to your own liking. If you like it spicy, add more chili peppers. If you like it sour, add more lime juice.
  • Let the sauce sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
  • Serve nước chấm sauce with a variety of dishes. It is a great dipping sauce for spring rolls, grilled meats, and seafood. It can also be used as a marinade or dressing.

Conclusion:

Nước chấm sauce is a delicious and versatile Vietnamese sauce that can be used with a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its bright and flavorful taste, nước chấm sauce is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

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