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Thai Dipping Sauce (Nam Jim Jaew) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

This Thai Dipping Sauce, Nam Jim Jaew (แจ่ว), is a vibrant and tangy chili sauce perfect for grilled meats like chicken, beef, or pork. Made with fresh shallots, cilantro, zesty lime juice, fish sauce, and a touch of sweetness, it is complemented by a unique toasted sticky rice powder made from roasted cashews and hemp hearts for a nutty crunch that enhances the sauce’s texture and depth of flavor.

Ingredients

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Jaew Sauce (Thai chili dipping sauce)

  • 0.5 oz. shallots, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 to 1½ whole lime, juiced
  • 1 to 1½ tbsp fish sauce
  • ½ to 1 tsp monk fruit brown sugar sweetener (or 2–3 tbsp apple juice for Whole30 alternative)
  • 1 to 1½ tsp dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp toasted “sticky rice” powder (see below)

Thai toasted “sticky rice” powder (grain-free, gluten-free version)

  • ⅓ cup raw cashews
  • ¼ cup hemp seed hearts

Instructions

  1. Chop Ingredients: Finely chop the shallots and cilantro. Place them in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Combine Sauces and Seasonings: Add lime juice, fish sauce, monk fruit brown sugar (or apple juice), and dried red pepper flakes to the bowl. Stir the mixture quickly to combine all ingredients.
  3. Develop Flavors: Allow the sauce to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes so the flavors meld together.
  4. Toast Nuts and Seeds: While the sauce rests, dry roast the cashews and hemp seed hearts in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning. When they emit a nutty aroma and turn light golden brown, they are done.
  5. Grind Toasted Nuts: Grind the roasted cashews and hemp seeds coarsely using a small food processor or pound them in a pestle and mortar.
  6. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the toasted sticky rice powder over the sauce just before serving. Serve immediately alongside grilled meats such as chicken, beef, or pork.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the sauce.
  • The apple juice substitution makes this sauce Whole30 compliant while maintaining sweetness.
  • Toasted sticky rice powder traditionally uses sticky rice, but a grain-free version uses nuts and hemp seeds to retain texture and flavor.
  • Serve immediately after adding the toasted rice powder for best texture.
  • This sauce pairs wonderfully with grilled meats but can also complement roasted or pan-fried dishes.

Keywords: Thai dipping sauce, Nam Jim Jaew, Thai chili sauce, grilled meat sauce, gluten-free sauce, cashew hemp powder, Thai cuisine

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/thai-dipping-sauce-nam-jim-jaew-recipe/