When in Thailand, there is a particular table condiment that you will find almost everywhere. Prik nam pla (พริกน้ำปลา), often simply known as 'Thai sauce' is an absolute staple in Thai cuisine. It is so versatile and great to use on soooo many things! Fantastic on any kind of seafood. It's also great to liven up savoury meat dishes; or as an excellent dip for spring rolls or skewers. You can even drizzle it over jasmine rice or noodles.
A hugely important concept in Thai cooking is the balance of these four flavours: salty - sour - sweet - spicy. Prik (พริก) means pepper and nam pla (น้ำปลา) is fish sauce; two of the key ingredients in this sauce. Thai chilis bring the heat and fish sauce brings an umami saltiness. Freshly squeezed lime juice adds sourness; and a bit of sugar adds the sweet. We add in some garlic for aromatics.
Ingredients
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Fish sauce
- Thai chilis
- Garlic
- Palm sugar
- Optional: fresh cilantro
See the recipe card below for quantities.
What is fish sauce?
Fish sauce is such an important seasoning in Thai cuisine that it could be considered their version of salt or soy sauce. It is made from salt fermented small fish, such as anchovies. It brings a special umami flavour to Southeast Asian dishes. A pleasant briny sweetness accompanies a light ocean/fish flavour. There is no real substitute for it.
When purchasing fish sauce, look for a sauce that is reddish-brown and clear without sediment. A cloudy or dark-coloured fish sauce could speak to lower quality or being beyond its prime. The fish flavour should not be overpowering. If you find that it adds too much 'fish,' try another brand. You can store a bottle of fish sauce in your fridge for up to a year.
Instructions
Start by mincing your garlic cloves and thinly slicing your Thai chilis. You can use as many chilis as you would like, but I would recommend somewhere in a range of one to four. They can be quite spicy, and you can always add more of the Thai sauce to your dish for added heat.
In a bowl, mix together fish sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, and palm sugar. If you don't have palm sugar, the best substitutes for this recipe would be brown or raw sugar, though you could use white in a pinch. There is no substitute for fish sauce.
Stir the prepared garlic and chili(s) into the sauce. I kept the four flavours fairly balanced in this recipe. However, you can adjust the flavours to your preference by adding more of an ingredient. Want it more sour? Add more lime juice. Sweet - add more sugar. Spicy - add more chili. Salty - add more fish sauce. It's super customizable!
Totally optional: You can add a bit of chopped, fresh cilantro to the sauce immediately before serving.
Substitutions
You can substitute the palm sugar in this recipe with brown sugar or raw sugar.
Storage
This sauce is delicious to use immediately, and as it sits the chili and garlic flavours will further infuse into the sauce. You can keep this sauce stored covered in the fridge for up to three days.
Prik nam pla was an excellent accompaniment to this pad gra pow dish - a delicious Thai basil beef stir fry served with a Thai-style fried egg.
Print📖 Recipe
Traditional Thai Sauce {Prik Nam Pla}
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
A staple in Thai cuisine, this sauce is the perfect blend of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. Use it to add bright and delicious flavour to your savoury dishes - anything from spring rolls to seafood.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1-4 Thai chilis, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons palm sugar *
- fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar.
- Stir in garlic and chili(s).
- Optional: add some chopped cilantro immediately before serving.
Notes
* You can substitute the palm sugar in this recipe with brown or raw sugar.
Store covered in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 10
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 176.6 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Thai sauce, prik nam pla
Olga says
Wow - so much better than what you can buy in the stores.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Lana says
Wow so good.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Angela says
Amazing recipe. Will be making this often.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Justin says
Superb sauce. Thanks.
Asha says
Thanks!
Franciso says
Exceptional.
Asha says
Thanks!
Emilie says
Great recipe. Thanks.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Linda says
Awesome flavour.
Asha says
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Renee says
Absolutely the best Thai sauce ever!
Asha says
Thanks!
Derek says
This is absolutely as good as or better than any thai sauce I've had in restaurants.
Asha says
Thanks so much!
Clint says
Fantastic flavor.
Asha says
Thanks!
Kerry says
This I love!!!
Asha says
Thank you! It's great on almost anything
Maria says
Just WOW. Never buying from a store again.
Asha says
Thank you! Yes it's so easy to make at home 🙂
Joy says
Great sauce. Thank you!!
Asha says
Thanks for the kind review! 🙂
Rick says
Perfection.
Asha says
Thank you! 🙂
Fiona says
I pur this thai sauce on sirloin beef strips. Words cannot convey how good it was. Highly recommend it to everyone.
Asha says
That sounds like a great combo. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dan says
Best thai sauce recipe yet.
Asha says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Mari says
My husband and I love this thai sauce.
Asha says
Thank you, glad you both enjoyed it!
Mary says
It's a keeper.
Asha says
Thanks! 🙂
Lenny says
Fabulous recipe. Thank you.
Asha says
Thanks! 🙂
Keigan says
This is by far the best Thai sauce I have tasted. Thanks so much.
Asha says
Thanks for the kind words 🙂
Marianne says
I made this for your Thai beef recipe but can think of so many other foods to use it with. This is guest worthy.
Asha says
Thanks so much 🙂 One of the most versatile sauces out there.
Olivia says
Absolutely the best Thai sauce I ever tasted.
Asha says
Thanks so much ❤️
Pete says
I really enjoyed the sauce.
Asha says
Thank you
Ray Paseur says
This is a great recipe. If you really want to up the game, use Red Boat Fish Sauce!
Asha says
Thanks so much, Ray 🙂 and great recommendation