Smoky, sweet, tart and spicy, Nam Prik Pao (Thai Chili Paste) has a flavor-packed punch that is a secret weapon in Thai kitchens. It is super easy to make at home, keeps in the fridge for weeks, and just a spoonful will turn you into a Thai chef overnight.
I wrote about my vegetarian version of this dish years ago and it remains one of the most popular recipes on this site. I’m bringing the recipe back with all new step-by-step photos and detailed instructions.
Step 1: Prepare the Chilis
I use dried New Mexico Chilis which are are widely available in the United States and work great. They are about 6 inches / 15 cm in length and have a deep red color. You can use any other dried chili, including dried Thai Chilis to make this, but make sure that they are large chilis of the dimensions above (not the small, super spicy Thai chilis often called “Bird’s Eye chilis”).
One of the best things about making Nam Prik Pao yourself is that you have total control over the level of spice.
The more seeds you remove from the chilis, the less spicy your finished dish will be. If this is your first time making Nam Prik Pao, it’s a great idea to remove most of them and set them aside. You can always add some back in at the end.
Step 2: Roast
Next, roast the chilis, shallots and garlic at 400 F / 204 C degrees. This is the set-up I like for roasting (a cooling rack over a baking sheet) because it allows air to circulate underneath the ingredients.
The chilis will start to char after 10 minutes, at which point you should pull those off the baking sheet.
Then continue roasting the shallots and garlic for another 15 minutes, until golden brown and tender.
Step 3: Puree
Blitz all of the ingredients in a food processor until a thick paste forms, adding water if needed.
It turns bright red and thick. At this point it’s a good idea to taste and adjust the flavors a bit. With a quick taste you’ll know if you need to add a bit more sugar (palm sugar is traditional, but brown sugar works) or salt (in the form of soy sauce, fish sauce, or tamari).
Step 4: Toast
The final step is what gives Nam Prik Pao an extra dose of deep, smoky flavor. You can skip this step if you prefer or are short on time. Just add a bit of oil to a skillet and then saute the Nam Prik Pao until it turns dark and fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes.
Tamarind Paste and Shiitakes
The only thing that might seem unusual in this lovely condiment is Tamarind Paste. You can read all about making tamarind paste here. We also tested this recipe using tamarind concentrate found at our local Asian grocery store or online here.
The homemade tamarind paste (left) is thicker and has more texture to it than the commercial version (right), but both will work in Nam Prik Pao.
And dried shiitakes are the key ingredient that give this vegetarian version a ton of umami flavor. Traditional Nam Prik Pao uses dried shrimp to give the dish that umami, but I love the more subtle (less fishy) flavor of shiitakes.
Once you start making this condiment at home, you’ll find endless ways to use it. Crispy Tofu Stir-Fry with Nam Prik Pao is a good place to start. Enjoy!
- 20 dried New Mexico Chilis (see note)
- 14 small / 4 oz / 113 g Shallots, peeled
- 20 cloves / 2 oz / 57 g Garlic, peeled
- 10 / 2 oz / 57 g dried Shiitake Mushrooms
- 6 Tbsp Tamarind Paste (click here for everything you need to know about this)
- 4 Tbsp / 1.8 oz / 50 g Brown Sugar (use the same weight of palm sugar if you can find it)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (sub fish sauce if you eat fish; sub Tamari if gluten-free)
- ½ cup Water, plus more if needed
- 4 Tbsp Oil (any neutral-tasting oil will work)
- Preheat oven to 400 F / 204 C degrees. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet. (You can roast the ingredients on a greased baking sheet, but adding the cooling rack allows for air to circulate underneath and provides more even baking.)
- Rinse the chilis under water to clean (no need to soak them). Use kitchen scissors to cut off and discard the stems. Shake out seeds to achieve your desired level of spice. (Note: If you leave all the seeds in, you will have a very spicy Nam Prik Pao, and if you remove nearly all the seeds it will barely be spicy at all. If you are hesitant about spice, remove as many seeds as you can the first time you make this. You can always set the seeds aside and add them back in during the final step.) Place the chilis on the prepared baking sheet.
- Peel the shallots and garlic and place them on the baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast until the chilis start to char and blacken in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the chilis from the baking sheet and return the shallots and garlic to the oven. Continue roasting until tender and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
- While the shallots roast, rinse the dried shiitake mushrooms under tap water (no need to soak them).
- In the bowl of a food processor combine the chilis, shallots, garlic, shiitakes, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce and water. Turn the machine on and blend until smooth, adding additional water to create a thick paste. Taste the paste and add additional sugar or soy sauce, if needed to reach your desired balance of sweet / salty.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil and then chili paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the paste becomes fragrant and turns dark, 6 to 8 minutes. Taste one last time and adjust, to taste. If you reserved some of the chili seeds, you can add them back in to increase the spice level.
- Transfer to containers and refrigerate. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
We’ve been getting lots of time outside these days, but still these puffy-coat-clad girls of mine (and me!) are ready for spring.
Going to try this recipe today!
Hope you like it as much as we do Renee! I can put it on everything!
Our family has started a tradition of picking a different country’s cuisine for Christmas dinner each year. Each of us takes a course (there are 5 of us) and then researches recipes that sound like something we would all enjoy. This year our country was Thailand and I was in charge of soup. I made a Tom Yum Gai soup (hot and sour chicken soup) that called for thai chili paste to add the hot and sour flavor. My daughter doesn’t care for shrimp, so I was at first dismayed to see that the typical thai red chili paste was flavored with shrimp……then I found your vegetarian recipe and life was good. Then I made your recipe and life was GREAT! We used the leftover chili paste not needed for the soup in our thai turkey lettuce wraps. We were all fighting over the last few bites. Thanks for your help in making our Christmas feast perfect this year!
Judy – I’m late in responding to your wonderful comment but I was thrilled to read it. What a fun Christmas tradition – I’m so glad we could have a little part in it!!
I’m in Bangkok just finished making this recipe, it’s delicious! I will try it out on my Thai friend who complains that nothing I cook is spicy enough, lol. Thank you!
So glad you liked it Eric. Let me know if it passes the Thai-spicy test, though I know that’s a steep curve!
EXTREEEEEEEEEMELY Good !! thank you very much
fron Beirut