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    Home » Sides » Sauces and Dressings » Prik Nam Pla - The Incredible Thai Table Condiment

    Prik Nam Pla - The Incredible Thai Table Condiment

    Published: Apr 11, 2019 · Modified: Feb 5, 2021 by HWC Magazine · 31 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment sauce made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics that we love slathering on everything from spring rolls to seafood and everything in between. #sauce #Thai #asian #chili #condiment #fishsauce #garlic #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe/ https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment sauce made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics that we love slathering on everything from spring rolls to seafood and everything in between.

    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment sauce made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics that we love slathering on everything from spring rolls to seafood and everything in between. #sauce #Thai #asian #chili #condiment #fishsauce #garlic #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe/ https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Prik Nam Pla / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    “Prik” translates to chili in Thai. “Nam Pla” translates to Fish Sauce. These two ingredients are the main components of the sauce along with a few aromatics and citrus. Sometimes this sauce is also called Garlic and Chili Sauce or Naam Jim Aahaan Thaleh. You can call it whatever you want, we just call it DELICIOUS.

    Why We Love Prik Nam Pla…

    This incredible Thai Table Condiment is slightly sour, salty, spicy and sweet and a perfect addicting bite. Prik Nam Pla is a nice balanced sauce. The best part is you can adjust your levels of each ingredient to make it just the way you like it. If you like it spicier, you can add more chilis. To make it savory, you can add more fish sauce. If you like it sourer, you can add more fresh lime juice. Sometimes, if you like it a little sweeter and you can add just a touch more sugar or sugar alternative.

    Prik Nam Pla / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Just a Handful of Ingredients…

    Fish sauce

    Lime Juice

    Thai Bird Chili Peppers (These little bird chilis might be little but they are MIGHTY so use with caution)

    Garlic

    Sugar (Brown sugar/palm sugar or sugar alternative of choice)

    Exchanges and substitutions…

    We are sorry to say but there really is not good substitute for fish sauce. If you need this recipe to be gluten-free the Thai Kitchen brand has a gluten-free version of their fish sauce. If you are vegan, we really do not know what to say. Soy sauce will not give you the profile you are looking for.

    Now on to the chilis… Thai bird chilis are the chilis of choice for this Prik Nam Pla recipe. However, you can substitute any chilis you desire and add to the level of heat you enjoy. A little sweet is needed to balance the flavor profile. You can do this many different ways.  Add a little pinch of brown sugar, palm sugar, coconut sugar or sugar alternative and taste test. You don’t need much but just a little tad to balance the flavor profile.

    The Incredible Thai Table Condiment

    You are going to want to slather this Prik Nam Pla SAUCE on everything! Have you ever been to Thailand? You will see this incredible Thai Table Condiment on every restaurant table just like you would have salt and pepper in the States or HP Sauce (House of Parliament Sauce) in the UK. Whether you are eating fish, noodles, spring rolls, soup or even your eggs, it is delicious on every savory dish. Might not be so good on pancakes but you get the point.

    Prik Nam Pla / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    What do you serve Prik Nam Pla with?

    Our family and friends slather this delicious Thai Table Condiment over eggs, in soups and really anything that needs a little zip. Prik Nam Pla is also delicious with anything coming off the grill and rice dishes. However, we are quite partial on putting this sauce over fish and seafood.

    We highly recommend this drizzling a few spoonful’s over our Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados, Tropical Thai Swordfish, Thai Firecracker Shrimp Party Appetizer,Thai Grilled Chicken Tenderloins and anything else your little heart desires.

    How long will fresh chopped garlic keep in a sauce?

    The short answer is not long. You should use any sauce, condiment or dressing within 3 days of chopping the garlic. Do you know why this is important? You see garlic if chopped and at room temperature can grow Clostridium Botulism (YES, botulism) According to the USDA, “Peeled cloves may be submerged in undiluted (full Strength) wine or vinegar and stored in the refrigerator. Adding wine or vinegar to garlic provides an acidic environment (less than pH 4.6) so Clostridium Botulism cannot grow.” However, this recipe has only part lime juice and part fish sauce. Therefore, our suggestion is to be on the safe side. (OK the nurse will now step down off her soap box… LOL) Please keep your Prik Nam Pla refrigerated and consume within 3 days. It best fresh anyways.

    Do you like Thai food? If so, what is your favorite recipe? If you are looking for more inspiration, please check out our Thai Recipe Cuisine.

    Prik Nam Pla / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Prik Nam Pla - The Incredible Thai Table Condiment

    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics for spring rolls, fish and everything in between.
    4.95 from 20 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sauces and Dressings
    Cuisine: Thai
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 tbsps
    Calories: 7kcal
    Author: HWC Magazine

    Ingredients

    • 3 cloves Garlic peeled and minced
    • 1-2 Thai bird chilis
      depending on how hot you like it
    • 2 tablespoon Lime Juice
    • 1 tablespoon Fish sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Brown sugar
      sugar or palm sugar (or can use sugar substitute)
    • ⅛ cup Cilantro
      chopped - optional
    • 1 tablespoon garlic chives chopped - optional
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Mix your minced garlic, Thai bird chilis, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar or sugar substitute like stevia and cilantro in a bowl. Taste test. Adjust for your desired level of spice by adding more chili, sour by adding more lime, salty by adding more fish sauce and sweet by adding more sugar or sugar alternative.
    • Enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

    Video

    Notes

    Thai Bird chilis might be LITTLE but they are MIGHTY. Start out with just a little and then add more according to your desired heat level. Also, you may want to wear gloves whilst cutting up your chilis or at least make sure you do not rub your eyes or any body part until you wash your hands well. You will only do that once! Feel free to use other chili peppers you have on hand as a substitute but note that each has a different Scoville heat index. 
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    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 7kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag us @HWCMagazine or hastag us #HWCMagazine!

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    About HWC Magazine

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.95 from 20 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Wayne says

      February 12, 2024 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      That was absolutely delicious, I doubled up on all the ingredients and ate the lot myself as part of a Thai Green curry meal. 😁

      It was nice to have a lovely condiment that spiced up my meal as my wife doesn't like as much heat as me.

      Thank you for the lovely recipe, I'll be using it a lot in the future. 🙂

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        February 13, 2024 at 1:28 am

        Thank you Wayne. Delighted you enjoyed our quick and easy prik nam pla sauce recipe. Our family likes to slather it on everything. Take Care

        Reply
    2. Darby says

      June 28, 2023 at 5:39 pm

      5 stars
      Consume the prik nam pla within 3 days? Who can let it last longer than the meal they're eating at the moment? 🙂

      I love this stuff. It is so quick and easy to make and delicious. As your article states, it goes with everything. Beyond Thai food, it is a super taco condiment.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 29, 2023 at 11:00 am

        Thanks so much Darby. Your family sounds just like ours. We slather prik nam pla on practically everything. Need to try it on tacos next. If you are keen on spicy sauces that go with everything, you may also like our Asian Chili Garlic Sauce. Take Care

        Reply
    3. Richard Lando says

      June 13, 2023 at 9:11 pm

      Great recipe also try adding some finely chopped ginger and a splash of seasoned rice vinegar (sweeted) instead of or even with some natural sugar. Next go around I may also try adding Shaoxing instead of the rice vinegar. I didn't have access to Thai chilis when I made this last night and instead used chili tepins which are hotter than Thai peppers but the heat dissipates much more quickly. Mmmmm!!!!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        June 13, 2023 at 9:44 pm

        Glad you enjoyed our prik nam pla recipe. Your additions to the sauce are very interesting. Sounds extra spicy! Have a super week ahead.

        Reply
    4. chieko says

      July 07, 2022 at 11:53 pm

      5 stars
      I've been making this sauce for a long time and always omit the sugar. I think the lime adds a bit of sweetness and I love the heat. Great sauce to put on anything and so easy to make.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        July 08, 2022 at 1:47 pm

        Thank you very much. We are just like you. We love to slather Prik Nam Pla sauce on everything. If you can skip the sugar - it's better for you. Wishing you a super weekend ahead.

        Reply
    5. Kuvy says

      July 11, 2021 at 2:00 am

      4 stars
      There is vegan fish sauce. So I'm pretty excited to try this! Thanks.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        July 11, 2021 at 6:00 pm

        Yes, there are some vegan fish sauces out there now like the Ocean's Halo Vegan and others. Give it a try with a vegan fish sauce and let us know how you like the recipe.

        Reply
    6. Jake says

      April 20, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      This is a must condiment for Thai food. Surpised to see so much Thai content here on your blog. Did you live there?

      Reply
    7. Ian says

      February 27, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      Happy to find this recipe for the condiment

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        February 28, 2021 at 1:56 pm

        Thanks so much Ian. The boys love to slather Prik Nam Pla on everything, even their morning eggs. Take Care

        Reply
    8. Barb says

      November 26, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      5 stars
      Im so happy I found this recipe on your site. I had no idea what its called, but we had this at every meal while in Phuket.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        November 28, 2020 at 5:34 pm

        Hiya Barb! Prik nam pla is fantastic on everything. We even slather it in eggs for breakfast.

        Reply
    9. Magalie Guillot says

      September 09, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      5 stars
      Very authentic taste. Perfect with fish.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        September 10, 2020 at 12:07 am

        Thank you very much Magalie. So glad you enjoyed our recipe. Take Care

        Reply
    10. Cal says

      August 12, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      Followed the guide and it worked perfectly. Tastes like Thailand.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        August 14, 2020 at 4:42 pm

        Thanks Cal! We are so happy to hear this. We go through prik nam pla like water at our house as the boys love it. Stay well and take care

        Reply
    11. Eha Carr says

      August 12, 2020 at 2:53 am

      5 stars
      Bobbi - magician you !! Have just substituted my old recipe with yours ! Actually yours is simpler !! Thank you . . . how can one live without . . . ?

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        August 14, 2020 at 4:46 pm

        Thank you Eha! Just a few simple ingredients are you are on your way to deliciousness. I can never seem to make enough of prik nam pla or our homemade Garlic Chili oil sauce as the chili head boys just inhale it. I have to make it heavy to medium spiced for the boys but I'm the lightweight and prefer it a little more mild. Stay well and take care

        Reply
    12. Ken says

      August 11, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      Mmmmm just like the sauce in Krungthep mahanakhon amon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya visnukamprasit...aka Bangkok.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        August 12, 2020 at 3:49 pm

        You Bet! You can find prik nam pla on every street corner in Bangkok and many parts of Thailand. It is really addictive. Our family loves to slather it on everything. Take Care

        Reply
    13. Raul says

      August 10, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      I'm so glad I found this recipe. I did not know what it was called. Happy happy

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        August 11, 2020 at 1:04 pm

        Thanks so much Raul! It's so easy to put together. Now you can enjoy prik nam pla at home. Stay well and take care

        Reply
    14. Ken says

      August 09, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      This tastes exactly like the flavor from Phuket. Can I substitute the fish sauce with fish paste?

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        August 10, 2020 at 1:18 am

        Hi there! This prik nam pla recipe tastes just like the Thai Table condiment that you get in all the restaurants in Phuket. Unfortunately, fish paste is a lot stronger than fish sauce and not recommended as a substitute. Wishing you a super week ahead.

        Reply
        • Leslie says

          December 01, 2020 at 7:55 pm

          If you make the sauce and add the garlic when you're ready to eat it, would the rest of the sauce keep longer in the refrigerator? Can't wait to try this!

        • HWC Magazine says

          December 01, 2020 at 11:51 pm

          Hi Leslie, yes you could certainly do that. Garlic is just one of those items that you don't want to risk using pre-chopped for longer than 3 days. However, if it saves you time to make up the sauce and add chopped garlic and cilantro just before serving, that is a great option. Stay well and take care

    15. Pam Greer says

      March 18, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is our favorite condiment! We have no problems finishing it off in 3 days! We love it on everything!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        March 18, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        No doubt! We have never had a leftover situation yet. Fabulous on everything from eggs to appetizers and everything in between.

        Reply

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    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment sauce made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics that we love slathering on everything from spring rolls to seafood and everything in between. #sauce #Thai #asian #chili #condiment #fishsauce #garlic #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe/ https://www.hwcmagazine.com

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    Prik Nam Pla (พริกน้ำปลา) is an incredible Thai Table Condiment sauce made with chilis, fish sauce and aromatics that we love slathering on everything from spring rolls to seafood and everything in between. #sauce #Thai #asian #chili #condiment #fishsauce #garlic #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe/ https://www.hwcmagazine.com

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