By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 2
37 cal · 5 min
Thai-Style Chili, Lime, and Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Recipe GLPR333747fe818dc5
A vibrant, no-cook Southeast Asian-inspired dipping sauce that balances fiery heat, bright lime acidity, and aromatic cilantro. This quick sauce combines minced garlic, fresh Thai chiles, and umami-rich fish sauce with brown sugar for a perfect complement to fried chicken or grilled proteins.
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Ingredients
2 garlic cloves, microplaned or minced very fine
½ cup fish sauce
½ cup fresh lime juice
½ cup brown sugar
2 to 4 red Thai chiles, finely minced (or 2 teaspoons sambal oelek)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely minced
¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
Directions
Add the microplaned garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar to a medium mixing bowl.
Whisk vigorously until the brown sugar dissolves completely and all ingredients are well combined.
Stir in the minced red Thai chiles (or sambal oelek if using), then fold in the cilantro and sliced scallions until evenly distributed.
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired—add more lime juice for brightness, fish sauce for depth, or chiles for heat. Serve immediately with fried chicken or other proteins.
Comments
Thai chiles are the gating ingredient: Harris Teeter and Kroger carry them intermittently, but an ALDI or Food Lion run adds uncertainty to a weeknight. Fish sauce is standard at most Charlotte chains now, though some households find the smell a dealbreaker. The five-minute timer is honest for mixing, but sourcing two specialty items—especially Thai chiles—makes this a commit-in-advance dish rather than a grab-and-go condiment. The dipping sauce keeps well for a week, so it rewards batch work, but the upfront shopping friction keeps it from easy rotation.
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