This Thai-style shrimp cocktail with Nam Jim Jaew will make you wonder why you never thought of it sooner. It's a Thai-inspired take on a classic shrimp cocktail, so if you're a shrimp lover, protein lover, or flavor lover, you have to give this one a try!
This is a great recipe for the holidays or gatherings along with my salmon wellington pastry bites using tinned fish and sweet chili fish sauce meatballs!
What is Shrimp Cocktail with Nam Jim Jaew?
Nam jim jaew is a classic spicy and sour Thai dipping sauce that is traditionally used to accompany grilled meats, but I love it with seafood! This spicy Thai dipping sauce commonly has fish sauce, lime juice and/or tamarind paste, toasted rice powder, chiles, sugar, and herbs and aromatics.
This sauce is unique because of the toasted rice powder, which adds a nutty flavor and slightly grainy texture. It helps thicken the sauce but also adds another flavor profile!
Why you'll love this Shrimp Cocktail with Nam Jim Jaew
High in protein - It's mostly just straight shrimp with some flavor!
Great for parties - Make platters of these with a large bowl to hold the nam jim jaew.
Meal prep friendly - Shrimp cocktail might be the easiest meal prep there is. My new favorite, for sure!
Takes only 15 minutes - Boil the shrimp and make the sauce. It doesn't get any easier!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen works great. I prefer 16-20 count for the best texture!
- Salt: To season the shrimp water.
- Cilantro: Gives the sauce a fresh herby flavor and bite.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice works best.
- Toasted rice powder: The secret ingredient that makes this sauce so unique. You can make your own by toasting and grinding rice grains if you can't find it in stores!
- Fish sauce: The base of the sauce that gives a salty umami.
- Shallot: Adds a mild garlic and onion flavor that's less harsh than regular onions.
- Chili flakes: Dried chili flakes works great here. Use as much or as a little as you want.
- Tamarind paste: Adds a touch of sourness to the sauce.
- Brown Sugar or Palm Sugar: To balance out the sourness. Palm sugar is traditionally used, but brown sugar is a great alternative.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Thai-style shrimp cocktail with nam jim jaew dipping sauce
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add your shrimp. For frozen shrimp, cook for 3-4 minutes. For fresh shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turns pink and begins to curl.
- Immediately remove the shrimp once cooked and place it in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
- In a bowl, add lime juice, rice powder, minced cilantro, minced shallot, brown sugar, fish sauce, and red chili flakes. Mix to combine.
- Drain your shrimp and pat them dry. Serve immediately with the Thai dipping sauce.
Other appetizers to try:
- Cheesecake Factory Copycat Avocado Egg Rolls (in the air fryer)
- High Protein Cream Cheese Rangoons
- Honey Miso Glazed Roasted Carrots
- Crispy Hasselback Potatoes with Fish Sauce Butter
Shrimp Cocktail with Nam Jim Jaew
Ingredients
- 12 oz shrimp
- ½ small shallot minced
- 1 small bunch cilantro minced
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder
- juice of ½ lime
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes dried Thai chili preferred
- salt for salting water
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add your shrimp. For frozen shrimp, cook for 3-4 minutes. For fresh shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turns pink and begins to curl.
- Immediately remove the shrimp once cooked and place it in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
- In a bowl, add lime juice, rice powder, minced cilantro, minced shallot, brown sugar, fish sauce, and red chili flakes. Mix to combine.
- Drain your shrimp and pat them dry. Serve immediately with the Thai dipping sauce.
Notes
- Don't overcook the shrimp.
- Mix the sauce thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and adjust to taste.
Leave a Reply