Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe (Nam Jim Tua)
Thai spicy peanut sauce recipe for lettuce wraps, grilled fish, and even chicken satay. This easy-to-make nam jim tua tad is a tasty blend of fiery chilies, umami-rich fish sauce, and tangy lime, all lovingly ground together with a traditional mortar and pestle. All your favorite flavors rolled into one in just 10 minutes, it’s the perfect dipping sauce for practically everything.
Also try my authentic Thai peanut sauce recipe, it’s the perfect crowd-pleaser, made with peanuts and suited for kids!
What is nam jim tua
Nam jim tua is a traditional Thai peanut dipping sauce, beloved for its balanced blend of spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet flavors. It can be paired with anything from fresh vegetables to shrimp and grilled meat.
Peanut sauce for lettuce wraps
This spicy peanut sauce is an absolute wonder with my grilled Thai shrimp lettuce wraps recipe! Its nutty taste and spiciness perfectly complement the smoky, charred notes of the shrimp.
It’s truly an easy all-rounder.
Fantastic with fresh, crunchy vegetables like yard long beans, lettuce, and Thai eggplants.
Spicy topping? Yes please! Drizzle it over Thai shrimp rolls or fresh spring rolls and watch them disappear from the table.
You’ll love it with pla pao (grilled fish). Add rice vermicelli, lots of vegetables, and you’ve got yourself a healthy, authentic Thai meal.
In Thailand, we pair it with vegetable wraps, shrimp, and grilled chicken like these Thai chicken wings.
Thai spicy peanut sauce recipe
One drip of this sauce is enough to give a whirlwind of spicy, nutty goodness to anything it touches.
It’s ridiculously easy to make. Just a few simple ingredients, a bit of pounding, and you’ve got yourself a spicy dipping sauce that’s downright delicious.
Don’t be afraid to adjust the heat level to your taste. For a fiery sauce, add more chilies. For a mild sauce, go easy on the chilies or pick a less spicy variety. It’s all about making it right for you!
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Coriander root: Coriander root is a staple in Thai cooking for adding an aromatic depth and earthy note.
- Peanut bar: In Thailand, we don’t use peanut butter. This nam jim tua tad recipe is traditionally made with peanut bars, which are readily available at Asian markets or Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find them, you can order something similar at Amazon.
- Fish sauce: Thai food wouldn’t be complete without fish sauce, right? It infuses our dishes with a rich umami and salty flavor. It gives this Thai spicy peanut sauce its salty character and balances the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Chilies: Jinda chilies are Thai chilies that offer a moderate amount of heat. They’re perfect for adding a good amount of spice without overwhelming the other flavors. Still, it made the sauce quite hot. If you don’t eat spicy food daily, use a milder type of chili or reduce the amount of fresh chilies used in this recipe.
- Garlic: When crushed, garlic releases its natural oils and flavors, making the sauce incredibly aromatic and yummy.
- Water: Water is crucial for the right sauce consistency, making it dip-able and melding the flavors together.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice is essential for adding a bright, tangy flavor that elevates the sauce. It adds a refreshing note that simply makes things better.
How to make spicy dipping sauce for shrimp
Taste-test: Before serving, make sure to taste-test. Thai cooking is all about balancing the flavors – the spicy, salty, sweet, and sour.
1. Crush chilies, garlic, and coriander root into a fine paste with a mortar and pestle.
2. Pound peanut bar into the paste.
3. Lastly, mix in water, lime juice, and fish sauce. Make sure the sauce is well mixed. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving, so the flavors have time to meld together.
Like spicy Thai sauces? You’ll love nam jim seafood and prik nam pla, they’re both super easy to make at home.
Kitchen tools
- Measuring spoons and cups for measuring the ingredients
- Granite mortar and pestle for making the sauce
How to serve
Nam jim tua is incredibly versatile. Here is a complete list of Thai appetizers, side, and snack options to get your party started!
- Vegetable dips: Use as a dip for fresh, raw vegetables like crunchy cucumber, carrots, radishes, Thai eggplants, yard long beans, and more.
- Lettuce wraps: Fill your lettuce wraps with this spicy Thai peanut sauce and Thai pork larb or larb gai salad.
- Grilled meats: Pair it with Thai chicken satay, Thai chicken wings, moo yang recipe (grilled pork), moo ping (grilled pork skewers), Thai ribs.
- Spring rolls: Combine with these Thai vegetable spring rolls, Thai shrimp rolls, and Thai fresh spring rolls (rice paper rolls).
- Noodles: Drizzle some sauce over your noodles to turn them into spicy peanut noodles, or pair them with a fresh noodle salad.
- Seafood: Enhance the taste of Pla pao (grilled fish), shrimp, crab, and other seafood.
- Rice: Use as a topping for simple steamed jasmine rice or Thai sticky rice.
How to store spicy Thai peanut sauce
Store your sauce in an airtight container like a mason jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about a week, and the flavors will intensify over time. Before serving, give it a good stir.
Frequently asked questions
How spicy is nam jim tua?
The spiciness varies on the amount and type of chilies used. You can easily adjust the number of chilies to suit your taste. Use mild chilies or remove the seeds to decrease the heat.
Is this spicy peanut sauce suited for vegetarians?
No, this recipe is made with fish sauce. You can use a vegetarian fish sauce alternative, but the flavors won’t be identical.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is perfect to save time at your gatherings. Just make it in advance, store it in the fridge, and give it a stir when you’re ready to serve.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
All ingredients are gluten-free. Ensure you use a gluten-free fish sauce, as some brands may sneak in some gluten-containing ingredients.
More Thai dipping sauces you’ll love
- Thai tamarind dipping sauce
- Thai mango dipping sauce
- Tamarind sauce recipe
- Thai green chili sauce
- Thai sweet chili sauce
- Thai hot sauce recipe
- Nam jim jaew
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Thai Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe (Nam Jim Tua)
Ingredients
- 4 chilies add to taste
- 3 garlic
- 3 coriander root
- 2 tablespoons lime
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2.8 ounces peanut bar
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Crush chilies, garlic, and coriander root into a fine paste with a mortar and pestle.
- Pound peanut bar into the paste.
- Lastly, mix in water, lime juice, and fish sauce. Make sure the sauce is well mixed. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving, so the flavors have time to meld together.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
