Sweet Soy Sauce
This simple Cambodian sweet soy sauce comes together in minutes with everyday ingredients. It balances salty soy sauce, fresh lime, a little sugar, and a touch of chili heat.
Crushed roasted peanuts go on top for crunch. The sauce is made for dipping, especially with crispy spring rolls or fresh vegetables.
What You Need
You only need a few pantry items. Soy sauce gives the base, while lime juice and sugar create the sweet-tangy balance. Sambal oelek adds gentle heat, and crushed peanuts bring texture.
Make sure your peanuts are roasted and unsalted. Fresh lime juice makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Equipment
- Small bowl: To mix the water, sugar, lime juice, chili paste, and soy sauce.
- Measuring cups: To measure the hot water accurately.
- Measuring spoons: To measure the sugar, lime juice, chili paste, and soy sauce.
- Spoon: To stir the sauce until the sugar dissolves and everything is combined.
- Serving bowl: To hold the finished sauce for dipping.
How to Make Sweet Soy Sauce
Step 1: Dissolve the Sugar
Put 1/4 cup hot water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid looks clear.
Step 2: Add the Flavorings
Add 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon sambal oelek, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Mix well so the chili paste spreads evenly through the sauce.
Step 3: Finish with Peanuts
Sprinkle 1/4 cup crushed unsalted roasted peanuts on top just before serving. The peanuts stay crunchier when added at the end.
Cooking Tips
Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the lime or chili if you like. A little more lime makes it tangier, and extra sambal adds more heat.
Crush the peanuts with the back of a spoon or a small mortar and pestle. Freshly crushed peanuts have a better texture than pre-crushed ones.
How to Serve
This sauce is excellent with Khmer vegetarian spring roll. It also works as a dip for grilled meat, fried tofu, or fresh vegetable sticks.
For another classic Cambodian dipping sauce, try our sweet fish sauce. It has a similar sweet-tangy balance but uses fish sauce instead of soy.
Recipe Notes
Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili paste made mostly from ground red chilies. If you are sensitive to heat, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
If you need to avoid peanuts due to a peanut allergy, this sauce is not suitable as written. Check with your healthcare provider for safe alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sweet soy sauce taste like?
It tastes salty from the soy sauce, tangy from the lime, and slightly sweet from the sugar. The chili paste adds a mild kick, and the peanuts give a nutty crunch.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
You can mix the liquid part up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add the crushed peanuts right before serving so they stay crisp.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
It depends on the soy sauce. Regular soy sauce usually contains wheat. Use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if you need a gluten-free version.
Final Thoughts
This sweet soy sauce is a quick way to add a Cambodian-style dipping sauce to your table. The mix of salty, sour, and nutty flavors makes it a natural partner for spring rolls and grilled foods.
Sweet Soy Sauce
4
servings5
minutes0
minutes79
kcal5
minutesThis sweet and tangy soy-based sauce comes together in one bowl. It is a common Asian dipping sauce and pairs especially well with Khmer vegetarian spring rolls.
Ingredients
1/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Sambal Olekek chili paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup unsalted roasted peanut, crushed
Directions
- In a small bowl, mix hot water with sugar till sugar dissolved.
- Add lime juice, chili paste and soy sauce, mix well.
- Top with peanut before serve.
- Sweet soy sauce is also excellent for dips with Khmer Vegetarian spring roll.
Equipment
Large bowlCheck product details
Measuring Spoons & CupsCheck product details
Mixing BowlsCheck product details
Spoon and Folk SetCheck product details
Recipe Video
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 2 g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 79kcal
- Fat: 4.6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Sodium: 254mg
- Potassium: 84mg
- Carbohydrates: 8.2g
- Net Carbs: 7.3g
- Fiber: 0.9g
- Sugar: 6.2g
- Protein: 2.9g
- Vitamin C: 1.2mg
- Calcium: 12mg
- Thiamin: 0.1mg
- Niacin: 1.7mg
- Folate: 23.2mcg
- Pantothenic Acid: 0.2mg
- Phosphorus: 42mg
- Magnesium: 19mg
- Selenium: 0.7mcg
- Copper: 0.1mg
- Manganese: 0.3mg
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