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Nam Pla and Garlic Wing Sauce

By Bryan Roof

Published on January 17, 2026

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes about ¾ cup (enough to sauce 3½ pounds wings)

Nam Pla and Garlic Wing Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water 5 teaspoons cornstarch ½ cup packed light brown sugar 6 tablespoons fish sauce 6 garlic cloves, minced2 tablespoons grated lime zest plus ¼ cup juice (3 limes)1 teaspoon red pepper flakes ¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Before You Begin

The dill offers a refreshing counterpoint to the pungent fish sauce, but fresh cilantro can also be used.

Instructions

  1. Whisk 2 tablespoons water and 5 teaspoons cornstarch together in small bowl. Combine ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 6 tablespoons fish sauce, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime zest, and 1 teaspoon pepper flakes in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Whisk in cornstarch slurry, return to boil, and cook until thickened, about 15 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup chopped dill. Let cool to room temperature to thicken. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.) Toss wings with sauce in large bowl. Serve.
Nam Pla and Garlic Wing Sauce
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Christine Tobin.

Nam Pla and Garlic Wing Sauce

Headshot of Bryan Roof
By Bryan Roof

Published on January 17, 2026

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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Makes about ¾ cup (enough to sauce 3½ pounds wings)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water
5 teaspoons cornstarch
½ cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons fish sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons grated lime zest plus ¼ cup juice (3 limes)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water
5 teaspoons cornstarch
½ cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons fish sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons grated lime zest plus ¼ cup juice (3 limes)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water
5 teaspoons cornstarch
½ cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons fish sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons grated lime zest plus ¼ cup juice (3 limes)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Why This Recipe Works

This Thai-inspired sauce for chicken wings offers a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and salty flavors. We achieve this balance with umami-rich fish sauce, tangy lime, sweet brown sugar, aromatic garlic, and a touch of heat from chile flakes. Fresh dill brightens the profile with its herbal notes.

Before You Begin

The dill offers a refreshing counterpoint to the pungent fish sauce, but fresh cilantro can also be used.

Instructions

  1. Whisk 2 tablespoons water and 5 teaspoons cornstarch together in small bowl. Combine ½ cup packed light brown sugar, 6 tablespoons fish sauce, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime zest, and 1 teaspoon pepper flakes in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Whisk in cornstarch slurry, return to boil, and cook until thickened, about 15 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup chopped dill. Let cool to room temperature to thicken. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.) Toss wings with sauce in large bowl. Serve.

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