By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 8
6 cal · 5 min
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Dressing (Nước Chấm)
Recipe GLPR739d2f140d5229
A bright, tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce and condiment balancing lime's acidity, fish sauce's umami depth, and subtle sweetness. Minced garlic and optional fresh Thai chile add aromatic bite. This versatile sauce pairs beautifully with spring rolls, grilled meats, salads, and noodle dishes, and keeps refrigerated for up to one week.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
¼ cup Fresh lime juice
3½ tablespoons Vietnamese fish sauce
2 tablespoons Sugar
2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
1 Fresh Thai chile, minced (optional)
½ cup Warm water
Directions
Combine the fresh lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and minced Thai chile (if using) in a bowl.
Add the warm water and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Taste the dressing. If you prefer a stronger fish sauce flavor, add more fish sauce a little at a time, stirring well and tasting after each addition until it reaches your desired flavor balance.
Allow the dressing to cool to room temperature before serving, or refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors will continue to meld and develop as it sits.
Comments
Fish sauce is available at all major Charlotte chains—Harris Teeter, Kroger, Food Lion, and Walmart stock it in the Asian aisle—so no special trip required. The cost per serving is negligible, maybe a nickel, since you're making a condiment that stretches across multiple meals. The stated five minutes is honest and accurate; you're just whisking together six ingredients with no cooking involved. This is a weeknight staple that reheats perfectly and works as a dipping sauce, marinade, or dressing for months when refrigerated, though the garlic and chile will mellow slightly over time.
Sign in or create a free account to add your review.
