Easy Vietnamese Tamarind Dipping Sauce

A tart sweet and sour sauce that's bursting with flavour. Tamarind dipping sauce is THE sauce you want alongside your Vietnamese fried spring rolls and fresh rice paper rolls. Get dippin'!

Course Basics, Condiment

Cuisine Vietnamese

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 3

Total Time 5

Servings Small Dish

Calories 172kcal

Cost $5

Heat the ½ tbsp vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Fry the 1 tsp garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the ½ tbsp sambal oelek and 3 tbsp tamarind puree.
Add the ⅓ cup water, mix well until smooth and heat until it begins to bubble.
Add the 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp fish sauce, stir again until it boils then remove from the heat and allow to cool. Transfer to a small dipping bowl.

Watch Your Heat - There's no need for high heat here, you only want to lightly fry your garlic, then warm the tamarind and dissolve the sugar. Don't overcook it!
Find Your Balance - We like our sauce quite tart, but you can add more sugar if you need to tone it down. If you love heat, then amp up that chilli too!
Add Shallots - Add finely chopped shallot when you fry the garlic for added flavour.
Add Peanut - Peanut butter into the mix or crushed peanuts on top as a garnish.
Alternative Serving Ideas - Serve up with your dumplings, chicken skewers, popcorn chicken or even tonkatsu!