Thai cuisine is known for its bold, vibrant flavors, and dipping sauces, or น้ำจิ้ม, are essential in bringing out the best in many dishes. Many traditional Thai dipping sauces are made with sugar, which isn’t keto-friendly. But with a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy all the flavors of Thailand without breaking your keto diet.
Here are some classic Thai dipping sauces adapted to fit a keto lifestyle, including a special tofu dipping sauce that’s perfect for fried or steamed tofu.
1. Keto-Friendly Thai Seafood Sauce (น้ำจิ้มซีฟู้ด)
This spicy and tangy sauce is perfect for dipping seafood like shrimp, fish, and crab.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 fresh chilies (adjust to taste)
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon erythritol or monk fruit sweetener (for sweetness)
- 1-2 tablespoons water (optional, to adjust consistency)
Instructions:
- Finely chop the chilies and garlic.
- In a small bowl, mix the chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and erythritol.
- Stir well until the erythritol dissolves, and adjust the consistency with water if needed.
- Serve with grilled or steamed seafood.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Carbs: 1g (from chilies and lime)
- Net Carbs: 1g
2. Keto-Friendly Thai Jaew Sauce (น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว)
This smoky and tangy dipping sauce is traditionally paired with grilled meats and is easy to adapt for keto.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions or cilantro (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix the fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, and erythritol in a small bowl.
- Add chopped green onions or cilantro for added flavor.
- Serve with grilled meats like pork, chicken, or beef.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Carbs: 1g (from lime juice)
- Net Carbs: 1g
3. Keto-Friendly Suki Sauce (น้ำจิ้มสุกี้)
This slightly sweet, savory sauce is typically served with hot pot dishes. Here’s how to make a low-carb version:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon keto-friendly chili paste (make sure it’s sugar-free)
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, chili paste, erythritol, vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
- Stir well to combine.
- Serve as a dipping sauce for suki (Thai hot pot) or grilled meats.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 20
- Carbs: 2g (from soy sauce and chili paste)
- Net Carbs: 2g
4. Keto-Friendly Sweet Chili Sauce (น้ำจิ้มไก่)
Sweet chili sauce is typically used with fried foods like chicken or spring rolls. This version cuts out the sugar but keeps the sweet and spicy flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (for thickening)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine erythritol, vinegar, water, and minced garlic. Heat on medium until the sweetener dissolves.
- Add the chili flakes and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the xanthan gum to thicken the sauce, then remove from heat and let cool.
- Serve with keto-friendly fried chicken or spring rolls.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Carbs: 1g
- Net Carbs: 1g
5. Keto-Friendly Thai BBQ Sauce (น้ำจิ้มหมูกระทะ)
Perfect for grilled meats, this sauce brings a smoky and savory flavor to your BBQ.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (use sparingly for carbs)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions:
- Mix the tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, erythritol, chili flakes, and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Stir until everything is well combined.
- Serve with grilled pork or beef.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 15
- Carbs: 3g (from tamarind paste and lime juice)
- Net Carbs: 2g
6. Keto-Friendly Fermented Soybean Sauce (น้ำจิ้มเต้าเจี้ยว)
This salty, umami-rich sauce is perfect for pairing with grilled fish or vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fermented soybean paste (เต้าเจี้ยว)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix the fermented soybean paste, lime juice, erythritol, garlic, and fish sauce.
- Stir until the erythritol is dissolved.
- Serve as a dipping sauce for grilled fish or tofu.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Carbs: 1g
- Net Carbs: 1g
7. Keto-Friendly Tofu Dipping Sauce (น้ำจิ้มเต้าหู้ทอด)
This sweet and tangy dipping sauce is perfect for fried or steamed tofu.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons erythritol
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (optional, use sparingly for flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 red chili (finely chopped)
- Roasted peanuts (optional, use sparingly for carbs)
Instructions:
- Combine erythritol, coconut sugar (if using), salt, vinegar, and water in a small pot.
- Heat over medium heat and simmer until the sweetener dissolves and the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Let it cool, then add the chopped red chili.
- Serve with fried or steamed tofu, and top with roasted peanuts if desired.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 10
- Carbs: 2g (from erythritol and coconut sugar)
- Net Carbs: 1g
8. น้ำปลาพริก (Nam Pla Prik)
No Thai meal is complete without a flavorful dipping sauce like น้ำปลาพริก (Nam Pla Prik). This sauce is a staple on Thai tables and pairs perfectly with a wide variety of dishes, including our Thai-Style Omelet and Keto Flatbread. Here’s how to make a keto-friendly version of this classic Thai condiment:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1-2 bird’s eye chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon erythritol (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon water (to adjust consistency)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, chopped chilies, minced garlic, lime juice, and erythritol.
- Stir well and add water if you prefer a lighter consistency.
- Serve alongside your meal, particularly great for dipping with the Thai-Style Omelet and Keto Flatbread for an extra burst of flavor.
Nutrition Info (per serving):
- Calories: 5
- Carbs: 0g
- Net Carbs: 0g
This quick and easy น้ำปลาพริก will elevate your keto meal while adding a bit of Thai authenticity to your plate. Perfect for anyone craving the traditional flavors of Thailand in a low-carb, keto-friendly way!
Conclusion: Flavor Without Compromise
Thai dipping sauces are known for their balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. With these keto-friendly adaptations, you can enjoy all your favorite Thai dishes without worrying about breaking ketosis. Whether you’re enjoying grilled meats, seafood, or fried tofu, these sauces will add a burst of flavor to your keto meals.