4.9 from 63 votes
Vietnamese Caramel Sauce (Nước Màu)
Vietnamese Caramel Sauce (Nước Màu) is a simple mixture of caramelized sugar and water cooked carefully to a dark amber color, then diluted to a slightly watery consistency. It is used primarily to add a deep, rich caramel flavor and color to dishes like Thịt Kho, contributing sweet and savory notes to braised pork or similar recipes.
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
12 mins
Servings:
1
cup
Calories:
186 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Vietnamese
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 /2 c water or half for a thicker sauce, filtered, warm
Instructions
- This recipe is tailored to cook one batch of my Thịt Kho Recipe, and results in a more watery sauce. If you want a thicker sauce, halve the amount of water. If you want to store a larger amount of this in the fridge also, halve the water and you can easily triple or quadruple this recipe.
- On medium heat, add sugar to your pan. Carefully watch over your pan and stir the sugar evenly to prevent your sugar from burning. The sugar will start to melt and continue cooking as it reaches a caramel color. This process can take up to 8-10 minutes depending on how high hot your stove is. The hotter it is, the faster you have to stir to keep it even.
- When the sugar becomes very dark brown and begins to smoke, you know it's almost done. Keep stirring constantly, until it gets darker maybe 20-40 seconds. Then shut off the heat or remove off the heat immediately and add the warm water to stop the cooking process. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add this sauce to your Thịt Kho or other recipe or let it fully cool, pour into a jar and store in the fridge.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
186kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Sodium
6mg
(0%)
Sugar
48g
(96%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 186
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 186kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Sodium | 6mg | 0% |
| Sugar | 48g | 96% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.