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Muoi Tieu Chanh stands out as a true flavor explosion. This simple yet sensational dipping sauce combines the vibrant tanginess of lime with the bold kick of salt and pepper, creating a symphony for your taste buds. Let’s check out how to make this dipping sauce with just a handful of ingredients and how to prepare it in the comfort of your own home.
Why make this?
Great for dipping. Whatever meat you need a little kick this sauce will elevated it. Goes great with grilled shrimp, chicken, squid and crab. Its commonly used to dip shaking beef (Thit Bo Luc Lac)
Adds flavor. Gives any dish the kick and you can dip as much or little as your heart desires.
Why you will love this recipe
Versatile. What ever flavors you like it you can adjust the dipping sauce. Add more lime juice, more salt, less pepper or what a spicy kick add the thai chili peppers.
Only 3 ingredients. Less than 2 minutes and you will have a easy dipping sauce for your seafood and meats. Only needs three ingredeints.
What is Muoi Tieu Chanh
Muoi Tieu Chanh, also known as Salt and Pepper Lime, is a Vietnamese dish that captures the core of Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, where the sourness of lime, and the saltiness of salt come together to create a truly unforgettable taste
Ingredients, Substitution and Variations
Kosher or other coarse salt. For this recipe you can use any salt but I highly recommend using kosher or pink Himalayan salt.
White pepper or fine black pepper. I use white pepper for this recipe and found it gives a stronger flavor. Depending on what I am dipping I will switch to ground black pepper.
Lime juice. Use fresh lime juice to get the best flavor. IF you don’t have lime you can substitute with lemon as well. If you only have bottled lime/lemon juice that can be used but it would be as zesty as using fresh lime/lemons.
Thai chili pepper. To give it a good kick use a mortar and pestle to grind up the pepper, I would suggest removing most of the seeds. The seeds give the super spicy kick from the oils.
How to make the Muoi Tieu Chanh
- Use a mortar pestle to muddle the Thai chili pepper. Skip this step if you don’t want the dipping sauce to be spicy.
- Combine the lime juice, salt and pepper.
Success tips on making the dipping sauce.
Use fresh lime/lemon juice. There is no doubt in my mind if you are cooking at home that you have to use freshly squeezed lime/lemon juice. Fresh limes/lemons can be easily found in any grocery store.
Let guest make their own dipping sauce. Setting out the ingredients and allowing guest to make their own sauce based on their preference. Have the salt, pepper and lime wedges ready with little dipping sauce plates.
FAQ
What is the difference between using white pepper vs black pepper?
Black pepper is commonly more accessible in households and grocery stores. But I find the ground white pepper gives a strong peppery flavor. So if you like the stronger flavor use the white ground pepper over the black version.
How to store
Enjoy the dipping salt within 1 hours and discard any left over. This unfortunately shouldn’t be made in advance but the great thing about this recipe is it takes less than 2 minute to make.
If you enjoyed this recipe check recipes similar to it:
Muoi Ot Xanh Sauce (Green Seafood Sauce). Sauce for dipping grilled meats
Nuoc Cham Chay (Vietnamese Vegan Dipping Sauce). Vegan version of the popular Nuoc Cham. Great for dipping pretty much anything.
Muối Tôm (Salted Shrimp). Homemade salted shrimp for dipping fruit.
Vietnamese Lemongrass chili sauce (Sot Sa Te). This spicy sauce can be used to elevated any dish. Top it on some rice with a fried egg or use it to add to Bun Bo Hue Noodle Soup.
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Vietnamese Seafood Lime, Salt & Pepper Dipping Sauce (Muoi Tieu Chanh )
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Kosher or other coarse salt
- ½ tsp White pepper or fine black pepper
- 3-4 tsp Lime juice substitute with lemon juice
- ½ small Thai chili pepper Optional. Use mortar and pestle
Instructions
- Use a mortar pestle to muddle the Thai chili pepper. Skip this step if you don’t want the dipping sauce to be spicy.
- 1. Combine the lime juice, salt and pepper