Prik Nam Som (Thai Chili Vinegar Sauce)

Praew October 28, 2023 1 Comment

5 / 1 Review

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Prik nam som, everyone’s favorite fiery and tangy Thai chili vinegar sauce found at every street food stall. It’s the best table condiment to brighten up noodle soups, noodle dishes, and stir-fries.

Top view of prik nam som, Thai chili vinegar sauce, with red and green chilies on a banana leaf.

Also check out prik nam pla, a fish sauce based condiment that be drizzled over just about anything!

Table of Contents

What is prik nam som

Prik Nam Som is a traditional Thai condiment made from long green or red Thai chilies and vinegar. Medium in spiciness, this sauce is ideal for enhancing the flavor of noodles, rice dishes, and soups.

Thai chili vinegar sauce

This Thai vinegar with chilies condiment (พริกน้ำส้ม) is one of my favorite dipping sauces to complement authentic Thai food.

I love to drizzle it on my pad see ew noodles, lad na, or use it to give my khao tom (Thai rice soup) and noodle soups more tang.

It’s so easy to make, perfect for when you need to add some extra flavor quickly.

Thai chili vinegar sauce, prik nam som, in a clear jar, surrounded by tropical flowers.

It’s made with a base of medium-spicy red and green Thai chilies, often Thai prik chi fa. You can use serrano or jalapeño if that’s what you got, they’ll do the trick too! I like to slice the chilies into thin slices, but they can be mixed as well.

A sprinkle of salt makes it even better, and some lukewarm water not only balances out the tang but also extends the shelf life.

My mom says the water is a must if you don’t want your sauce to be overwhelmingly sour.

5 Reasons to try this recipe

Versatile chili sauce with vinegar: This sauce doubles as a salad dressing, prik nam som is so versatile!
It lasts a long time: Store it in a glass jar, and it’ll last you a long time. Make a big batch for later use, you won’t regret it.
Tangy and spicy: A perfect flavor balance, and easy to adjust to your taste.
Street food vibe: Bring back those memories of your travels to Thailand with this staple from street food stalls. It’s every Thai person’s favorite chili condiment, and now you get to make it at home.
Quick and easy: This recipe is ideal for every home cook. It’s simple cooking with big flavor.

Ingredients for Thai chilies pickled in vinegar recipe

For the exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Bird's eye view of recipe ingredients display with vibrant green and red chilies, salt, vinegar, and water on a banana leaf background, decorated with bright flowers.

Large chilies – Use prik chi fa if available. Jalapeños or serrano peppers are a decent substitute.
White vinegar – White vinegar bring a sharp, neutral acidic flavor.
Water – Water mellows out the intense flavors, ensuring your nam som prik dong is not too spicy or too sour.
Salt – Draws out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.

How to make chili sauce with vinegar

Slice the chilies

Slice the long red and green chilies into thin slices.
Make the chili vinegar sauce

1. Transfer the sliced chilies to a mixing bowl.
2. Add vinegar, lukewarm water, and salt. Stir to combine.

Craving more? Check out my other Thai sauce recipes.

Recipe tips and tricks

Use fresh ingredients. For a bright, flavorful sauce, go for fresh chilies.
Taste and adjust. As you mix, taste and adjust. For a tangier condiment, add a bit more vinegar. Want it less spicy? Remove some chili seeds.
Experiment. If you want a different flavor, you can experiment with different types of vinegar. Rice vinegar can add a mild and slightly sweet note.
Safety first. Use plastic gloves when handling the chilies, and wash your hands after. Avoid touching your eyes or face, trust me!

Kitchen tools

Cutting board and chef’s knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Glass jar: A glass jar like this mason jar with an airtight lid is perfect for food storage.

How to serve

Level up Thai dishes or your favorite food with a generous splash of prik nam som.

How to store

Store in a cool, dark spot, in a glass jar. Avoid using plastic containers, as vinegar can react with plastic, potentially leading to health concerns.

Did you know?

In Thai, the word “prik” means chili, and “nam som” translates to vinegar. The name of this sauce breaks down to “chili in vinegar”.

Frequently asked questions

How spicy is prik nam som?

Depending on the types of chilies used, it’s a balanced sauce of tang and heat, being moderate in terms of spiciness

My sauce is too sour!

It could be the type or brand of vinegar used. You can balance it out be adding a bit more water or even a sprinkle of white sugar.

Can I add other ingredients?

Totally. You can experiment with garlic, lime juice, and sugar.

How do I reduce the spiciness?

If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can remove the seeds before making the sauce. Alternatively, you can use a mild type of chili pepper.

More Thai sauces you’ll love

Spicy vinegar dipping sauce
Tamarind sauce recipe
Thai green chili sauce – Delicious with seafood.
Thai hot sauce recipe – A homemade sriracha, way better than store-bought!
Thai chili oil – A fiery condiment that can add a touch of heat to your favorite food.

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5 from 1 vote

Prik Nam Som (Thai Chili Vinegar Sauce)

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 5 min Cook Time 5 min Total Time 10 mins

Calories: 5

Description

Prik nam som is a spicy Thai condiment crafted from long green or red Thai chilies and vinegar. Medium in spiciness, this sauce can be used to spice up noodle dishes, rice dishes, soups, and much more.