Out of all the sauces and spices one can find in Thailand, the Thai Chili Sauce, or Nam Jim Jaew, is hands down my favorite. It can make any type of dish taste like Thai dishes! Want to sprinkle a little Thainess on your steak dishes? Nam Jim Jaew to the rescue!
Fun fact, the original Nam Jim Jaew actually originated from the Northeastern region of Thailand, also known as Isaan. Thanks to its spiciness and aroma, the popularity of the sauce spread throughout Thailand like wildfire.
Nam Jim Jaew goes well with everything. Whether you're dipping steak, BBQ beef, grilled chicken, or any vegetables you want, its irresistible aroma will instantly transform the dish into a Thai delicacy!You can also dip tried and true favorites like grilled pork with sticky rice (Moo Ping), or simply plain old sticky rice, and it will instantly become delicious.
Best of all, it is quick and easy to make, taking less than 10 minutes with simple ingredients you can find in most Asian markets. If you have never tried Nam Jim Jaew before, the taste is a mix of smokiness, spiciness, tanginess, sweetness, and sourness, achieved through roasted chili, palm sugar, tamarind paste, fish sauce, fresh lime juice, shallots, and herbs.
With all those ingredients, you can simply mix them together, and sprinkle toasted rice powder for that signature crunchy, and smoky texture characteristic of Isaan cuisine. Taste and adjust until you achieve the perfect balance of flavors you prefer and voila! You’ve got yourself a Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce!
If you're interested in discovering more Isaan dishes and Thai grilled meat recipes, feel free to explore the following options: Authentic Thai Spicy Pork Larb and Thai Style Grilled Pork Skewers Recipe (Moo Yang).
To make this recipe, you are going to need:
- 4 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon roasted Thai chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder
- 2 tablespoons finely diced shallot
- 2 tablespoons chopped herbs such as green onion and sawtooth coriander
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Authentic Thai Chili Sauce (Nam Jim Jaew) Recipe
1 Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients for the Nam Jim Jaew.
2 In a small bowl, combine the tamarind paste, warm water, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3 Add the fish sauce and fresh lime juice, then gently stir them together.
4 Add the roasted chili flakes and toasted rice powder, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust until you achieve the desired balance. The flavors should harmoniously blend smoky spiciness, sourness, and sweetness.
5 Add the finely diced shallot and all mixing herbs into the Nam Jim Jaew sauce. Stir to combine. Serve with grilled meats.
Other Thai Recipes You Might Like
Here are some of my favorite Thai that I think you might like. For more Thai cuisine, check out my Thai recipe page.
Authentic Thai Chili Sauce (Nam Jim Jaew) Recipe
Here is a sauce that will make any dish taste like Thai food! Check out our easy-to-follow authentic Thai Chili sauce (Nam Jim Jaew) recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon roasted Thai chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder
- 2 tablespoons finely diced shallot
- 2 tablespoons chopped herbs such as green onion and sawtooth coriander
Directions
- Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients for the Nam Jim Jaew.
- In a small bowl, combine the tamarind paste, warm water, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add the fish sauce and fresh lime juice, then gently stir them together.
- Add the roasted chili flakes and toasted rice powder, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust until you achieve the desired balance. The flavors should harmoniously blend smoky spiciness, sourness, and sweetness.
- Add the finely diced shallot and all mixing herbs into the Nam Jim Jaew sauce. Stir to combine. Serve with grilled meats.
