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    Home » Ingredients » Sauces & Condiments

    Shrimp Paste

    Sep 1, 2022 • Author: Joyce Lee • Leave a Comment • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Shrimp paste (aka shrimp sauce) is a very salty paste made with fermented shrimp and salt. It is used a lot in Asian cooking to flavor curries, broths, braised dishes, steamed dishes, and fried rice and is very high in umami-ness.

    Shrimp paste in a metal container
    Table of Contents
    • How Do You Use It?
    • Where Can I Buy Shrimp Paste?
    • How to Substitute Shrimp Paste
    • How to Store It
    • Recipes That Use Shrimp Paste

    How Do You Use It?

    It is used in many different ways in Asian cooking and is an ingredient that doesn't have a distinct flavor that can be instantly identified unless you are using it on its own.

    When used in broths and Thai curries, it provides a huge boost in umami and saltiness and it gives a more full-bodied flavor. It is also used in steaming meats, vegetables and sometimes added to vegetables and when used that way has a very strong pungent smell that definitely is something that you need to get used to else it can be very off putting. It is also very commonly used in fried rice in south Asian cuisines and gives the rice a boost in saltiness and umami flavor.

    Where Can I Buy Shrimp Paste?

    You can find shrimp paste at an Asian grocery store - they are usually stored in the aisles where all the jars of sauces are.

    When you are looking for it, keep in mind that shrimp paste and shrimp sauce are the same thing and are used interchangeably. Look for a glass or plastic jar filled with a grayish-brown thick paste. If possible, try to find one that only has 2 ingredients - shrimp and salt. If this is difficult to find, you can also find this online as well.

    How to Substitute Shrimp Paste

    If you cannot find shrimp paste, you can substitute it with half the amount of fish sauce.

    How to Store It

    Once opened, store this in the fridge. Since it has a lot of salt in it, it will last a long time in the fridge.

    Recipes That Use Shrimp Paste

    • Bowl of Spicy Bun Bo Hue (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
      Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
    • Creamy Coconut Thai Red Curry
      Creamy Thai Red Curry

    Full disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  I am providing these links as a way for you to see the product so that you have an idea of what to look for when you go grocery shopping. Any type of ingredients I recommend are ingredients I use at home and any opinions of them are my own opinions.

    More Sauces & Condiments

    • What is Gochujang and 7 Ways to Use It
    • Chinese sesame paste in a small maroon plate with a spoon
      Chinese Sesame Paste
    • A bottle of dashi powder on a dark counter with dashi granules on a small plate
      Dashi Powder
    • oyster sauce spread on a plate
      Oyster Sauce

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