Sweet Tamarind Sauce
Indulge your taste buds in the exotic Thai flavors with this easy Thai sweet tamarind dipping sauce recipe. Bursting with tamarind's sweet and tangy taste, this versatile sauce perfectly accompanies your favorite appetizers and snacks. The sauce can be made and ready to serve in 20 minutes.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp garlic, chopped small
- 3 tbsp shallot, chopped small
- 3 tbsp cilantro stems chopped small
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or palm sugar
- 1+1/2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1-3 tbsp chili flakes (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup tamarind paste or concentrate. This is the main ingredient for this dipping sauce, don't skip it, please. Find these at Asian grocery stores.
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 tsp tapioca starch
Instructions
- 1
Combine tapioca and 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl, whisk together then set aside for later.
- 2
In a medium skillet or saucepan on medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add garlic and shallot. Fry until lightly brown.
- 3
Add the water and sugar, whisk, and cook until dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
- 4
Add the chopped cilantro stems, stir well, and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- 5
Add the fish sauce, chili flakes, stir and cook for one minute.
- 6
Add the tapioca slurry next. Do a quick whisk with a fork before adding to help stir up the flour deposit at the bottom. Turn the stove to low heat, and often whisk until the sauce thickens slightly.
- 7
Add tamarind paste to the pan, stir well, and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Stir often. Taste and adjust with more fish sauce and sugar. Add more water if you'd like a thinner sauce. (up to 2 tablespoons). Remove from the stovetop, and transfer to a small bowl or an airtight container for serving or storage.