Thailand's Pantry Staple: A Fiery Fried Garlic & Chili Relish (Nam Phrik Kratiem)
Details
This Northern Thai-style relish, known as Nam Phrik Kratiem, is a deliciously rustic and versatile condiment that will elevate any meal. Unlike the fresh, liquid dipping sauces, this is a "Nam Phrik Haeng" (dry chili relish) built on the deeply aromatic and savory flavors of fried garlic and toasted chilies. It’s an incredibly simple recipe with a surprisingly complex taste that's spicy, savory, and utterly addictive. Perfect for sprinkling over rice, noodles, soups, or grilled meats, this fiery garlic relish is a true pantry hero.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Aromatics
Begin by thinly slicing the peeled garlic cloves. For the dried chilies, snip them into small pieces, shaking out and discarding as many seeds as possible to control the heat.
Fry the Garlic
In a small saucepan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and fry, stirring constantly, until it turns a beautiful golden brown and becomes crispy. Be very watchful as it can burn quickly. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried garlic from the oil and set it on a paper towel to drain. Reserve the garlic-infused oil.
Toast the Chilies
In the same oil, add the dried chili pieces. Fry for just 30-60 seconds until they darken slightly and become fragrant. Remove them promptly with the slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
Combine and Pound
Allow the fried garlic and chilies to cool completely. Once cooled, place them in a stone mortar and pestle along with the salt and sugar. Pound the ingredients together into a coarse, flaky relish. You can also use a food processor and pulse carefully to achieve a similar texture, but avoid turning it into a fine powder.
Store
Transfer the finished Nam Phrik Kratiem to a clean, airtight jar. It can be stored at room temperature for several weeks, ready to add a punch of flavor to your favorite dishes.
Recipe reviews
Leave a review
Sign in to share your review.
Reviews
More recipes
Authentic Turkish Haydari Recipe (The Ultimate Creamy Garlic Meze)
Stop scrolling. This is the creamy, tangy, intensely garlicky Turkish dip you've been dreaming of since your last holiday. Haydari is the queen of the meze table for a reason. Made from thick, strained yogurt, sharp garlic, and fresh dill, it’s a deceptively simple, no-cook recipe that feels both incredibly fresh and deeply indulgent. Perfect for scooping up with warm pita, serving alongside grilled meats, or just eating with a spoon when no one is looking.
Rich & Creamy Hungarian Garlic Soup (Authentic Fokhagymaleves)
A hug in a bowl, this authentic Hungarian Garlic Soup, or 'Fokhagymaleves', is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly evening. By roasting the garlic first, we unlock a sweet, mellow flavour that makes this creamy soup deeply satisfying without any harshness. It's a simple, soulful recipe that brings a taste of Budapest to your kitchen.