Laotian Salad Dressing

Elevate your salads with the bold, vibrant flavors of this Laotian Salad Dressing, a perfect balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy. Crafted with traditional ingredients like fish sauce, lime juice, and a kick of bird’s eye chili, this authentically inspired dressing brings the essence of Laotian cuisine straight to your table. Freshly minced garlic, finely chopped shallots, and fragrant cilantro create layers of flavor, while a touch of toasted ground rice (optional) adds a subtle nuttiness for depth. Ready in just 10 minutes and requiring no cooking, this versatile dressing pairs beautifully with crisp salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a zesty dipping sauce. Perfect for those seeking a quick yet deeply flavorful addition to their meal, this recipe captures the heart of Southeast Asian culinary traditions.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons Lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 piece Bird's eye chili or red chili
• 1 small Shallot
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon Toasted ground rice (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the garlic clove and finely mince or crush it into a paste using a mortar and pestle.

Step 2

Finely chop the bird's eye chili (include seeds for extra heat) and add it to the mortar. If you don't have a mortar, you can mince both garlic and chili with a knife.

Step 3

Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Mince it finely and add it to the mixture.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Step 5

Add the garlic, chili, and shallots to the bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.

Step 6

Chop the cilantro leaves into small pieces and add them to the dressing.

Step 7

If you'd like extra depth of flavor, stir in the toasted ground rice at the end.

Step 8

Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it's too salty, add more lime juice or water. If you'd like it sweeter, add a touch more sugar.

Step 9

Let the dressing sit for 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving over your salad or dish of choice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(244.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	130.6

Total Fat 0.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2526.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 31.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g	0%
Total Sugars 18.7g
Protein 3.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 64.0mg	0%
Iron 1.2mg	0%
Potassium 384.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.1%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 87.0%