Sugar-Free Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce and Dressing)

March 14, 2024

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Published: Mar 7, 2024 by Cathy Chenard · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This sugar-free and keto-friendly Nuoc Cham may be your new favorite Vietnamese dipping sauce or dressing since it’s got all the flavor!

Sugar-free and keto Nuoc Cham dipping sauce with limes, chili peppers and fish sauce.

This bright and flavorful, sugar-free nuoc cham is sweet, spicy, salty, tangy and a perfect dipping sauce or dressing for your Vietnamese dishes (or any other dishes for that matter!).

Nuoc cham is a popular Vietnamese dipping sauce typically made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and water. It’s a sweet and tangy sauce that can be paired with a variety of dishes including meats, noodles, spring rolls, salads and more.

Although there are many variations in nuoc cham, most recipes include water, sweetener, lime juice and fish sauce. Like many others, we also include minced garlic and red chili pepper in our recipe to enhance the flavor.

We use a similar Nuoc Cham recipe in a few favorite salads including our Vietnamese chicken salad and Vietnamese cucumber salad. Both salads are easy to make, healthy and low in calories and carbs.

Key Ingredients

Nuoc Cham ingredients in bowls and labeled.

Water: Water is typically the most abundant ingredient in nuoc cham. We use hot water to dissolve the sweetener.

Sweetener: We use Swerve sweetener as an alternative to sugar in this recipe. But, you could use another sweetener of choice like allulose, monk fruit or stevia. Just be sure to check a sweetener conversion chart.

Fish Sauce: Fish sauce is a must in Nuoc Cham! We recommend buying a brand that doesn’t include added sugar. We use Red Boat, which is a premium fish sauce made with just anchovies and sea salt.

Lime juice: Lime juice is the acid in the sauce that gives it some tang. Lemon juice could be used in a pinch.

Rice Vinegar: Although not all sauces include rice vinegar, we love the added tang. Be sure to buy unseasoned and unsweetened rice vinegar .

Garlic: If you love garlic, you can use two cloves instead of one.

Chilis: You can use red, serrano, fresno, or another type of chili. Thai chilis are another option, but be aware they’re quite spicy (if you don’t mind, go for it!). For less heat, remove the seeds. For more heat, keep the seeds in.

How to Make

STEP 1: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of hot water with erythritol sweetener. Stir until sweetener has dissolved.

STEP 2: Add fish sauce, lime juice, vinegar, minced garlic and minced chili. Stir until well combined. Note: keep seeds in chilis for more heat; for less heat, remove chili seeds.

Stirring sugar-free sweetener with warm water until dissolved

Finished sugar free nuoc cham with red chili peppers on top and served in a bowl near lime wedges

How to Store

You can store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Please be aware that it tastes best within the first few days.

Recipe FAQ

Is fish sauce keto friendly?

Yes, you can buy a fish sauce that is keto-friendly. While fish sauces are typically made with just anchovies and salt, some brands do add sugar. We recommend looking for brands that don’t have added sugar and are low in net carbs (zero to 1 gram of net carbs per serving).

Is rice vinegar low in carbs?

Yes, when you buy an unseasoned and unsweetened rice vinegar, it will be zero grams of net carbs per serving. Just be sure it’s unseasoned and unsweetened!

What is the best fish sauce to buy?

We recommend buying a premium brand with minimal ingredients and no added sugar. We use Red Boat, which is a premium fish sauce made with just anchovies and sea salt. It’s zero grams of net carbs per serving (1 tablespoon).

Recipe