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.

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the warm water and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup base.

Step 2

Add the fish sauce, fresh lime juice, and rice vinegar to the bowl. Mix well to combine the liquid ingredients.

Step 3

Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves. Thinly slice the red bird's eye chili and remove seeds for less heat, if desired.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and chili slices to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to distribute the flavors.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

If using grated carrots as a garnish, stir them into the sauce or sprinkle them on top for added texture and color.

Step 7

Transfer the Nuoc Cham to a small serving bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve alongside your favorite Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, vermicelli bowls, or grilled meats.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	168.1 grams (168.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	148

Total Fat 0.20g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3780mg	164%
Total Carbohydrate 35.70g	13%
Dietary Fiber 1.80g	6%
Total Sugars 29.90g
Protein 3.80g	8%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 48mg	4%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 549mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.1%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 89.4%