Let’s make a spicy, salty, sour, and sweet Thai dipping sauce that goes with everything! Prik nam pla is the most versatile sauce that instantly elevates any dish.
Prik nam pla is an addicting, spicy, savory sauce that is extremely versatile and can take any dish from 0 to 100 with just one bite. This prik nam pla recipe features Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, shallots, and cilantro.
The best part about this recipe is that it can be easily made in under 5 minutes! Serve this dipping sauce alongside your favorite Thai dish, steamed vegetables, or protein for an extra special kick of flavor.
Prik nam pla (พริกน้ำปลา), or nam pla prik, is the most popular condiment in Thai cuisine. This sauce is used for everything in Thailand from being used as a dipping sauce, a flavor enhancer for your favorite Thai dish, or a condiment simply over steamed white rice.
“Prik” translates to chilies and “nam pla” translates to fish sauce. This Thai dipping sauce has the best of all the flavor notes. It is spicy, savory, sour, sweet, and extremely addicting.
Ingredients
You can find all the ingredients for this prik nam pla recipe at your local grocery store.
Thai Chili Peppers: are the key source of spice and heat.
Fish Sauce: is the base of the prik nam pla. It has a salty, funky, umami, flavor.
Lime Juice: adds brightness and acidity to the rich soy sauce.
Sugar: gently tempers the heat of the Thai chili peppers.
Garlic: adds a pungent garlic aromatic flavor.
Shallot: adds a delicate sweet flavor with a hint of garlic flavor.
Cilantro: (optional) but adds a pop of color and freshness.
Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions
Sweetener: instead of granulated sugar, you can use brown sugar, honey, or your sweetener of choice.
Peppers: if Thai chili peppers are too hot, you can use more mild chilis such as jalapenos.
Lemon juice: instead of lime juice you can use lemon juice.
Additions
Fermented shrimp paste: other iterations use fermented shrimp paste for a richer savory flavor.
Lemongrass: for additional citrusy notes, add finely chopped lemongrass.
Water: if the flavor of fish sauce is too potent for you, you can dilute it with some water.
How to Make Prik Nam Pla
See the recipe card below for full measurements and detailed instructions.
In a small mixing bowl, add the chopped Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, shallot, and cilantro. Mix until combined and the sugar has dissolved.
Let the garlic and shallots infuse for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
Remove the Thai chili seeds for less heat. For a less spicy version, use less Thai chili peppers and remove the seeds and piths of the Thai chili peppers before using.
Adjust to taste. Taste and adjust your sauce based on your preferences! You can add more sugar and/or water for a less potent version.
Infuse the aromatics for at least 15 minutes. The longer this Thai sauce sits and infuses, the more flavorful it will become over time.
Storage Instructions
You can store this spicy Thai dipping sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.
Pairing Suggestions
Prik nam pla can be served as a dipping sauce or flavor enhancer for any protein, boiled vegetables, or stir-fry dishes. Here are some pairing suggestions to level up your dishes.
Prik nam pla is made of Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, shallots, and sometimes sugar and fermented shrimp paste.
How do I make prik nam pla less spicy?
The spice level comes from the Thai chilis. You can make the sauce less spicy by using less Thai chilis and removing the seeds and pith before adding them to the sauce. You can also, add a bit more sugar to temper the heat level.
How do you serve prik nam pla?
This Thai sauce is typically served as a dipping sauce for proteins and boiled vegetables, as a sauce over rice, and as a flavor enhancer in stir-fry dishes. It can be used anywhere you’d like a zesty umami kick!
Let's make a spicy, salty, sour, and sweet Thai dipping sauce that goes with everything! Prik nam pla is the most versatile sauce that instantly elevates any dish.
Combine. In a small mixing bowl, add the chopped Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, shallot, and cilantro. Mix until combined and the sugar has dissolved.
Serve. Let the garlic and shallots infuse for at least 15-minute before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
See the “Expert Tips” section above for more guidance.
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