What seafood goes best with Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce?

The best part about Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce is that it works with almost anything from the ocean. Shrimp, crab, lobster, and squid are classic choices, but it is also wonderful with grilled fish, mussels, oysters, and even clams. The spicy, sour, and salty notes balance seafood’s natural sweetness perfectly. You can also use Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce as a marinade before grilling, or drizzle it over rice bowls topped with seafood for a quick and flavorful meal.

Can I use bottled Thai seafood sauce instead of homemade?

You can, but it will not taste the same. A bottled Thai seafood sauce, often labeled “Nam Jim Seafood Sauce,” is convenient, but the lime flavor fades, and the garlic becomes dull over time. The beauty of homemade Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce is the freshness. When you pound garlic, chili, and lime together yourself, the flavor bursts to life. If you need a store version for emergencies, choose one with real lime juice and no preservatives, then brighten it up by stirring in a little fresh lime and chili before serving.

Can I make Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce less spicy without losing flavor?

Absolutely. You can make a mild version of Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce that still tastes authentic. Replace half of the bird’s eye chilies with larger red chilies or even a mild pepper like Fresno or Anaheim. You can also remove the seeds before pounding them. Another option is to add a little more palm sugar or roasted peanut to round out the heat. The goal is balance, not fire. Even in Thailand, some families make two versions a hot one and a gentle one so everyone can enjoy the meal.

How long does Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce last in the refrigerator?

Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce stays fresh for about three days when stored properly in a sealed glass container. After that, the lime begins to lose its brightness, and the peanuts soften slightly. If you want to extend its life, prepare everything except the lime juice, then refrigerate the mixture. When you are ready to serve, add the fresh lime juice and stir. That keeps the sauce vibrant and alive. Always remember to let it come to room temperature before serving, because cold sauce can mute the flavor.

Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce – Delicious Authentic Thai Recipe 2025

Description

A bold and flavorful Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce made with garlic, chili, lime, palm sugar, fish sauce, and roasted peanuts. This traditional Thai condiment, known as Nam Jim Seafood, perfectly balances spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors and pairs beautifully with shrimp, crab, squid, and grilled fish.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cloves garlic, peeled
4 red chilies, to taste
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
2 1/2 tablespoons palm sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
Juice of 1/2 lime

Instructions

Pound the garlic and chilies with a mortar and pestle until a fine paste forms.
Add the roasted peanuts and continue pounding until they are crushed and mixed in.
Add the palm sugar and fish sauce, mixing until the mixture becomes sauce-like in texture.
Stir in the fresh lime juice and combine all the flavors well.
Serve immediately with seafood and enjoy.
Food Processor Method: Add garlic, chilies, roasted peanuts, palm sugar, and fish sauce into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture becomes a slightly textured sauce, not completely smooth. Stir in lime juice before serving.

Notes

Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled for the best flavor.
Adjust chili quantity based on your heat preference.
Unsalted roasted peanuts work best for balance.
Store leftover sauce in a sealed glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For a milder version, remove chili seeds or add more palm sugar.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 28
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.4g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Thai Seafood Dipping Sauce, Nam Jim Seafood Sauce, Thai seafood sauce green, authentic Thai seafood dipping sauce, Thai seafood sauce bottle, Thai seafood dipping sauce recipe, Thai green seafood sauce recipe