15 Ways to Use Fish Sauce in Non-Asian Cooking

We love fish sauce—aka nuoc mam—and not just in Southeast Asian cooking. Here are 15 ways to bring its funk to salad dressing, braised dishes, and more

By Amiel Stanek

March 28, 2014

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Can I tell you a secret? I put fish sauce (a.k.a. nuoc mam) in EVERYTHING. Nobody who eats at my house knows that it's in there—they just sense a subtle, implacable savoriness that wouldn't be there otherwise. I could rhapsodize about the stuff forever, but instead, let me present to you 15 dishes that benefit from a little fish sauce magic.

Romulo Yanes
1/15
Chicken Stock
When it's finished cooking, I always add a little fish sauce along with the salt to round out the rich, chicken-y flavor.
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Danny Kim
2/15
Simone's Shallot Vinaigrette
It's been years since I made a salad dressing without fish sauce—a few drops adds background savoriness to my vinaigrette, and a more generous pour makes for a killer Caesar-esque sauce.
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3/15
Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette
This charming vinaigrette, with a little slug of fish sauce added alongside the acid, SLAYS on grilled meat. You're welcome.
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4/15
Grilled Panzanella
I love adding anchovies to my panzanella, and fish sauce is the perfect sub when I don't feel like opening up a new can of fillets.
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Gentl & Hyers
5/15
Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Sage
Fatty cuts like pork shoulder need plenty of salt to really shine—a little fish sauce mixed in with the rub for the meat really gets the party started.
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6/15
Lamb Pot Roast with Oranges and Olives
I add fish sauce to the aromatics at the base of almost any braised meat dish. This one's a no-brainer.
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7/15
Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
Booming, funky Parm loves it when fish sauce sings backup. Toss the cauliflower with a few drops before roasting.
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Ditte Isager
8/15
Black and Wild Rice Salad with Roasted Squash
A little fishy funk really brings nutty grains out of their shell—throw a little in when you're seasoning with salt and pepper.
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Gentl & Hyers
9/15
Shrimp Fried Rice
I've never met a fried rice that didn't love fish sauce. Never. Splash some in along with soy and vinegar.
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Christopher Baker
10/15
Shaved Kohlrabi with Apple and Hazelnuts
The combination of sweet-tart apples, funky cheese, and earthy hazelnuts begs for a little fish sauce to tie it all together.
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11/15
The Best Bloody Mary
Don't freak out: Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies, too! A couple of drops go a long way, and a splash of lime juice will take it in a zingy, Southeast Asian direction.
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12/15
Italian Salsa Verde
Adding some fish sauce in place of anchovies in this recipe lends a little extra oomph to everyone's favorite green sauce.
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We Are The Rhoads
13/15
Carrot and Beet Slaw with Pistachios and Raisins
Crunchy and fresh, sweet and salty, this salad wants a drop of fish sauce to make it even perkier.
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Photo by Marcus Nilsson
14/15
Classic Ragù Bolognese
A good bolognese is all about layering deep, rich flavors, and adding a splash of fish sauce in the beginning—along with the tomato paste—brightens the whole thing nicely.
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15/15
Squash and Bean Minestrone
Fish sauce plays well with smoky, fatty ham hocks in this brothy cold-weather soup. Just add a few drops right at the end while seasoning.
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Amiel has worked at Bon Appétit in some capacity since 2012(!)—a sentence that makes him feel very old indeed. In that time, he has focused primarily on writing and editing service-driven cooking content across all platforms but has also developed recipes, penned travel guides, and hosted more than a few videos. These days, he ... Read More

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