Vietnamese salad dressings add a unique touch to Vietnamese food in general and salad in particular. Whether you are on your Vietnam travel or simply want to try a new cuisine, discovering the wonders of Vietnamese salad dressings is a must.
1. How to make Vietnamese salad dressing? – 4 popular ways
Vietnamese salad dressing is a flavorful and essential component of Vietnamese cuisine. It adds a tangy and savory taste to salads, spring rolls, and many other dishes. Here are four popular ways to make Vietnamese dressing for salad:
1.1. Vietnamese salad dressing with fish sauce, chili, garlic and tamarind
Dipping sauces can elevate any dish by adding an explosion of flavors. One such sauce that deserves a special place in your kitchen is tamarind sauce. Here is a guide to making this delectable sauce:
- Step 1: Soak and extract tamarind juice
- Place 30g of tamarind in a bowl and add 20ml of boiling water.
- Grind the tamarind and let it soak for 10 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a strainer to remove the seeds and collect the tamarind juice.
- Step 2: Cook the tamarind sauce
- Heat a pan and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
- Fry 1 tablespoon of minced garlic until golden and fragrant, then remove it from the pan.
- Pour the tamarind juice into the pan and add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of chili sauce, and 2 tablespoons of filtered water.
- Cook the mixture over low heat for 3 minutes, then season to taste and turn off the stove.
- Step 3: Finish and serve
- Transfer the cooked tamarind sauce to a bowl.
- Add 1/2 tablespoon of fried garlic and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
If you prefer a spicy kick, you can also include chopped chili peppers. Stir everything together to combine the flavors. From its tangy and sour notes to the aromatic hints of garlic, this sauce brings a burst of flavors that will leave you craving for more.
1.2. Vietnamese salad dressing with fish sauce, chili, garlic and lime juice
Transforming simple ingredients like fish sauce, chili, garlic, and tamarind into a delectable Vietnamese fish sauce salad dressing is easier than you think. Follow these three simple steps to create a dressing that will elevate the flavor of any salad:
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
- Begin by peeling and rinsing garlic cloves.
- Finely chop the garlic cloves along with three fresh chili peppers.
- Cut the lemons and squeeze out the juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
- Step 2: Mix the sauce
- Take a small bowl and add 4 tablespoons of fish sauce.
- Add 3 tablespoons of lime juice to the bowl.
- Follow with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate.
- Use a spoon to mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Step 3: Enhance the flavors
- Once the flavors are well combined in the bowl, add the chopped garlic and chili peppers.
- Give it a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if needed.
1.3. Vietnamese salad dressing with fish sauce, chili and kumquat juice
If you’re craving an easy Vietnamese salad dressing with a burst of flavors, look no further. This recipe combines the zesty goodness of fish sauce, the heat of chili peppers, and the refreshing tang of kumquat juice.
- Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
- Combine horn peppers and bird’s eye chili peppers and finely chop them.
- Cut the kumquats and extract their juice, ensuring to remove any seeds.
- Step 2: Mix the sauce
- Place the chopped peppers, 1.5 tablespoons of salt, 5 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, and the prepared kumquat juice into a blender.
- Blend the mixture until it achieves a smooth consistency and is well-combined.
- Step 3: Finalize the dressing
- Transfer the blended mixture to a separate bowl.
- Incorporate a teaspoon of pepper into the dressing.
- Thoroughly stir the mixture to ensure all the ingredients are well-combined.
1.4. Vietnamese salad dressing with fish sauce and red chili paste
If you are looking to add a burst of flavors to your salad, look no further than this easy Vietnamese tangy salad dressing recipe. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious dressing that will elevate any salad. Here’s how to make it:
- Step 1: Prepare citrus juice
- Cut limes and kumquats, removing the seeds.
- To prevent bitterness, place a paper towel on the peel while squeezing out the juice, as it will absorb the oils.
- Step 2: Mix the sauce
Start by placing a pot on the stove over low heat. Then, add 750g of sugar, 350ml of chili sauce, and 450ml of fish sauce. This combination of ingredients will create a spicy and savory base for your dressing. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, it’s time to add some tangy citrus flavors. Turn off the heat and squeeze in the juice of limes and kumquats. Stir well to incorporate all the flavors together. For optimal storage, transfer the dressing into glass jars and refrigerate. This will maintain its freshness and allow you to enjoy it whenever you desire.
>>> Read more: Vietnamese noodle salad: 9 simple recipes to upgrade your weekly menu
2. Are there any Vietnamese salad dressings for vegans?
If you are a vegan looking for a Vietnamese salad dressing without fish sauce, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some delicious plant-based alternatives available. Here are two dressings you can try at home:
2.1. Vegetarian salad dressing from mushroom
Made from fresh mushrooms and a few other simple ingredients, this homemade sauce offers a similar flavor profile to traditional fish sauce without the use of any animal products.
- Step 1: Prepare the fresh mushrooms
- Begin by gathering 2kg of fresh mushrooms.
- Remove the mushroom stalks.
- Fill a bowl with diluted saltwater and soak the mushrooms for approximately 5 minutes.
- Rinse the mushrooms thoroughly with water and allow them to drain.
- Step 2: Ferment the mushrooms
- Transfer the soaked mushrooms into a large jar.
- Allow the mushrooms to ferment in the jar for about 2 days and 2 nights.
- After the fermentation period, boil 3 liters of water and add 5 cups of salt.
- Let the saltwater solution cool down, then pour it into the mushroom jar.
- Step 3: Wait for the fermentation
- Seal the mushroom jar tightly and let it sit for 3 months.
- During this time, the mushrooms will continue to ferment and develop their savory flavors.
- Step 4: Enjoy the sauce
- After 3 months, your vegetarian mushroom sauce is ready to be enjoyed.
- The sauce will have an enticing aroma of mushrooms and a clear red-wine color, becoming a flavorful substitute in your favorite recipes that call for traditional fish sauce. It can be added to stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, and more.
2.2. Vegetarian salad dressing from soybean
Soybeans are not only rich in protein but also packed with essential nutrients, making this recipe for Vietnamese salad dressing suitable for a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
- Step 1: Clean and wash the soybeans, then soak in water for 12 hours to ensure that they evenly inflate.
- Step 2: After soaking, drain and cook the soybeans until the skins start to peel off. Keep the bean juice.
- Step 3: Ferment the cooked soybeans with bean juice, filtered water, and salt for 2 days and 2 nights. Boil and cool the mixture before transferring it to another pot.
- Step 4: Take the fermented beans, mix them with saltwater, and dry them under the sun. Wait for 2 months for the soy sauce to become edible.
>>> Read more: Vietnamese vegetarian restaurants: 20+ exceptional options for you
3. Recommended ready-made Vietnamese salad dressings
In addition to the above suggestions, you can explore many other types of prepared sauces, such as:
- Vinegar sauce: This dressing is a shiny blend of vinegar, olive oil, and spices. It offers a sweet and sour taste with the characteristic aroma of spices, creating an authentic Vietnamese salad dressing.
- Sesame seed sauce: Perfect for dipping or mixing with noodles, this sauce features a light roasted sesame scent, rich flavor, and balanced richness.
- Mayonnaise sauce: A classic choice for salad, mayonnaise is a fatty, aromatic, and slightly sour sauce. You can easily make your own at home using basic ingredients like vinegar, spices, lemon, and eggs.
- Yogurt and mustard sauce: Made with spices, lemon juice, honey, and yogurt, it offers a sweet-sour taste with a creamy texture. The slight spiciness of mustard perfectly complements any Vietnamese salad dressing recipe.
- Passion fruit sauce: For a burst of flavor, try passion fruit sauce. Made with olive oil, mustard, honey, and passion fruit juice, it will add a fruity taste to your salad.
Whether it’s shrimp salad, jellyfish salad, chicken salad, beef salad, or even vegetable salads served alongside the main course, these Vietnamese salad dressings will be the perfect accompaniment.
If you are a food lover looking for a complete culinary experience, traveling to Vietnam is a must. Known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, Vietnam offers a wide variety of delicious dishes that will leave your taste buds satisfied. From the famous Vietnamese noodles and Vietnamese spring rolls to the mouth-watering Vietnamese broken rice, Vietnamese pancake, and Vietnamese fish cake, there is something to please every palate.
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With our guide to Vietnamese salad dressings, you are now able to create your own delicious dressings at home. By experimenting with different ingredients, you can customize your dressings to suit your taste. Try these recipes today and elevate your dining experience to a whole new level. Happy cooking!