Thai Mango Dipping Sauce Recipe

Add a burst of flavor to your fresh fruits with this dip that comes straight from Thai cuisine!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Thai mango dipping sauce in a clay sauce cup, with parts of green mango spread around it.

This Thai mango dipping sauce recipe (nam prik pla waan) is packed with aromatic spices, and it’s the perfect way to elevate your fruit to a whole new level. In Thailand, we traditionally make it with dried shrimp, and we love to use it as a dip for tangy green mangoes or any firm chunks of fruit that could use some extra spice!

Me pointing a clay serving tray with dipping sauce in a clay cup that's surrounded by sliced green mangoes to the camera. In my other hand, I'm holding a slice of mango with dipping sauce on it to the camera while smiling.

Tips for preparing the perfect mango dipping sauce

  • Adjust the heat level to your personal preference. The amount of dried chili flakes you use affects the heat intensity, and if you’re not used to eating spicy, you’re going to want to start with a small amount.
  • The best Thai mango dipping sauce has the perfect balance of sour, salty, sweet, and spicy. While making the sauce, taste and adjust the flavors to suit your taste buds.
  • Pair it with sour mangoes or other fresh fruits. Mangoes are a traditional Thai choice for this dip, but you can also use other firm and tangy fruits.
The right part of mango dipping sauce in a clay sauce cup, surrounded by sliced green mangoes and white flowers.

How to choose the best green mango

With the perfect condiment should come a perfect piece of fruit.

The perfect green mango has no bruises or dark spots, and is firm to the touch since it’s unripe. The color can be light to dark green without any signs of yellow or orange. Ideally, you want to purchase them at Asian markets or Asian grocery stores.

Dipping a slice of green mango in a clay sauce cup with red chili dip sauce. The sauce cup is surrounded by sliced mangoes and white flowers.

Ingredients

All ingredients can be found at Asian supermarkets.

Green mangoes, dried chili flakes, flowers, shallots, chopped red chili, a wooden spoon with water, dried shrimp, and palm sugar on top of a bamboo serving tray.
  • Dried shrimpA traditional key ingredient that gives extra texture and flavor.
  • Fish sauceOften use in Southeast Asia to add a salty and umami flavor.
  • Palm sugarA healthier alternative to regular white sugar that comes with a caramel like taste.
  • Shrimp pasteA key ingredient that adds a rich and umami flavor to the dipping sauce that enhances the overall flavor.
  • Dried chili flakesYou can make chili flakes yourself using my recipe or use store bought.
  • Red chiliIf you can’t eat spicy, then use a mild variety of chili in this easy recipe, or omit it entirely.
  • Shallots
  • Water

Short recipe video

Step-by-step instructions

Heat a cooking pot over medium heat and add water, palm sugar, shrimp paste, fish sauce, chopped chilies, shallots, dried shrimp, and dried chili flakes.All ingredients in a clay pot.

Stir until all ingredients blend together, close the lid and boil for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a serving cup of your choice.

Peel green mangoes using a vegetable peeler and slice them into thin slices. Transfer sliced mangoes to a cup filled with cold water.Slicing green mangoes over a wooden cutting board, with a clay pot that has sliced mangoes in it next to the cutting board.

Recipe notes

  • Look for bruise-free and firm green mangoes with a vibrant color, these are sour and go hand-in-hand with this dipping sauce.
  • Adjust the spiciness to your personal spice-level.
  • To add freshness to the dip, you can include herbs of your choice, such as mint or basil.
  • The amount of water you use affects the sauce’s consistency. Avoid making the sauce too thin.

How to serve

After making the sauce, you can choose to serve immediately, or refrigerate to chill. Additionally, you can cut the mangoes in thin slices and chill them as well.
Cut up mangoes in thin slices, place the sauce in the center of a platter surrounded by slices of mango.
Besides mango, you can choose to serve with other tangy fruits you see fit as well.

How to store

The leftover sauce should be stored in the refrigerator immediately after eating. When stored in an airtight container, you can enjoy the dip for up to 1 week.

More dipping sauces you’ll love

Green nam jim seafoodThis refreshing and tasty green chili sauce is perfect to pair with any type of seafood.

Nam prik noomA vegan chili dip that comes with roasted chilies.

Nam prik ongThis Northern Thai specialty pairs perfectly with sticky rice and fresh or steamed vegetables.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’S)

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep this sauce and store it fresh and chilled in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. I like it best when it’s chilled, I also like to chill the slices of mango before eating them.

Is this dipping sauce vegan?

Thai mango dipping sauce traditionally contains dried shrimp, so this authentic recipe is not vegan. For a vegan chili dip, you can head over to my nam prik noom recipe.

Thank you for reading my Thai mango dipping sauce recipe! By giving it a star rating and adding a comment underneath, you would do me a HUGE favor. Don’t forget to join up for my newsletter if you want to be updated on the latest Thai food.

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 10 min Total Time 20 mins
Servings: 6 Calories: 58

Description

A tangy and sweet flavorful dip that's perfect for fresh fruits, especially unripe green mangoes.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat a cooking pot over medium heat and add water, palm sugar, shrimp paste, fish sauce, chopped chilies, shallots, dried shrimp, and dried chili flakes.

  2. Stir until all ingredients blend together, close the lid and boil for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a serving cup of your choice.

  3. Peel green mangoes using a vegetable peeler and slice them into thin slices. Transfer sliced mangoes to a cup filled with cold water.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6


Amount Per Serving
Calories 58kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.2g1%
Total Carbohydrate 11.6g4%
Sugars 8.1g
Protein 3.5g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

  • Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
  • Recipe notes
  • Look for bruise-free and firm green mangoes with a vibrant color, these are sour and go hand-in-hand with this dipping sauce.
  • Adjust the spiciness to your personal spice-level.
  • To add freshness to the dip, you can include herbs of your choice, such as mint or basil.
  • The amount of water you use affects the sauce's consistency. Avoid making the sauce too thin.
  • Serve immediately, or chill in your refrigerator before serving.
  • Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Keywords: Thai mango dipping sauce recipe, fruit dipping sauce, mango dipping sauce

Food tastes better when shared!

Pin this recipe and share it with your followers.

pinit
About Author

Praew

I owned my own Thai restaurant and have years of experience in various other Thai restaurants. I've been whipping up classic Thai dishes by my mother's and grandma's side since I was just a little girl. Now I'm sharing my deep-rooted passion with my authentic Thai recipes on this food blog.

Add a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Hungry in Thailand will use the information you provide on this form to send you a weekly newsletter.