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Make sweet and spicy peanut sauce in 5 minutes! Just whisk peanut butter with a few Asian ingredients and serve on dumplings, noodles, salad, meat, and veggies.
Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredient availability - The best peanut butter sauce ingredients might already be in your pantry. If not, they're at most grocery stores. Once you have them, you can make Thai peanut sauce anytime your heart desires – and you will.
Versatility - Thai peanut sauce is delicious on everything Asian – such as noodles, salads, sandwiches, grilled meats, vegetables, stir fry, and dumplings. It adds sweet and mildly spicy flavors in the form of a creamy, savory sauce.
Diet-friendly - I love that this condiment is naturally vegan. I'm not diet-restricted, but I'm always up for a plant-based sauce that tastes so rich, it fools people, even me!
Quick and easy - Let's also get excited over the fact that you can make peanut sauce in 5 minutes. So, you make it at the last minute, or make ahead.
Delicious - You won't believe how a few pantry staples can be whisked together to make one of the best sauces in your collection. This tasty peanut butter sauce is sure to become a favorite condiment. You'll see!
Ingredient notes
- peanut butter - I recommend unsweetened, smooth peanut peanut butter for this dipping sauce recipe since you'll be adding sweet ingredients to it.
- soy sauce - I recommend a low-sodium soy sauce which adds savory flavor without over-salting the sauce. Alternatives are listed in the recipe variations section below.
- unseasoned rice vinegar - You can substitute this with lime juice in equal amounts, if preferred.
- maple syrup - This can be substituted with another sweetener such as brown sugar, agave nectar, or your sweetener of choice.
- fresh ginger - This lends to a distinctively Asian-inspired sauce.
- garlic clove - Fresh garlic adds that unique spice we love!
- sriracha - Spicy and sweet just go together and this sauce adds the right spice! Chili garlic paste can be added for extra flavor or substituted in equal amounts.
- water - Use plain water to thin the sauce to the exact consistency you want.
As you can see, there are many substitution options. So, even if you only have peanut butter and a few basic pantry ingredients, you can still make this recipe.
What can I use peanut sauce with?
I like to call Thai peanut sauce the 'ranch' of Asian-inspired cuisine. I can't think of another condiment that pairs with so many things in that category. Here are my favorite ways to to use peanut sauce:
- dressing for Asian salad or buddha bowls
- dipping sauce for spring rolls, summer rolls, dumplings or gyoza
- sauce for Thai Peanut zoodles
- dressing for Asian slaw
- sauce for banh mi sliders or lettuce wrap
- stir fry sauce
- drizzled over kale noodles
- dip for air fryer Brussels sprouts
- chicken satay dipping sauce
- vegetable platter dip
How to make this recipe
You'll love that you don't need specialized tools to make this recipe. The microplane is great for finely grating ginger and garlic. But otherwise, a fork and bowl are really all you need!
Step 1. Place peanut butter, soy sauce, grated ginger, grated garlic, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sriracha in a small mixing bowl.
Step 2. Use a fork to whisk ingredients together until well-combined. Add small amounts of water and continue whisking until you reach the desired consistency.
Recipe variations
My recipe for peanut sauce is a family-friendly, mild flavor, which is pretty standard for my recipes. These Asian pantry ingredients can also be used as desired.
- lime juice
- chili garlic sauce
- fish sauce
- lemongrass powder or paste
- tamarind paste
- galangal
- curry paste
- sesame oil
- Substitute water with coconut milk for a richer-tasting sauce.
- Substitute soy sauce with tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos for gluten-free options.
How to thicken peanut sauce
If you accidentally add too much water to your peanut sauce, simply whisk in small amounts of peanut butter to adjust the consistency, You may also need to add other ingredients to maintain the flavor balance. Peanut butter powder also works in place of peanut butter to make this adjustment. It acts like flour without the extra oil, which is convenient.
Serve warm or cold?
It's up to you! Under refrigeration, peanut sauce can become firm and, at room temperature, it softens again. When serving cold, you may need to adjust the consistency by adding water. To serve warm, simply heat the sauce using the stove or microwave on medium heat, adding water in tiny amounts and stirring as needed.
Can I make ahead?
Yes! Peanut sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for a few weeks. You can even freeze it up to 90 days, or longer if vacuum sealed. To thaw, let it rest overnight in the refrigerator. You may need to adjust the consistency by adding a little more peanut butter or water.
Does peanut sauce have dairy?
No. This recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free. It's anything but dull. In fact, this plant-based condiment tastes so rich and creamy, you won't believe there's no dairy!
Recommended Asian recipes
- Pickled Carrots and Daikon
- Thai Coconut Soup
- Thai Pumpkin Curry
- Vegan Thai Coconut Vegetable Curry
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Banh Mi Buddha Bowl
📖 Recipe
The Best Peanut Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Unsweetened Smooth Peanut Butter
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce or preferred sauce
- 2 tablespoons Unseasoned Rice Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Ginger finely grated
- 2 cloves Garlic finely grated
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha
- Water to adjust consistency
Equipment
- Microplane zester / grater to finely grate garlic and ginger
- small mixing bowl
- fork or whisk
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together PEANUT BUTTER, SOY SAUCE, RICE VINEGAR, MAPLE SYRUP, GINGER, GARLIC, and SRIRACHA until well-combined.
- Slowly add small amounts of WATER and continue whisking until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- If you add too much water, add a little peanut butter to thicken it and vice versa.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days (or longer at your discretion).
Final step
Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.
Video
Recipe Notes
- lime juice
- chili garlic sauce
- fish sauce
- lemongrass powder or paste
- tamarind paste
- galangal
- curry paste
- sesame oil
- Substitute water with coconut milk for a richer-tasting sauce.
- Substitute soy sauce with tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos for gluten-free options.
Hilary says
Loved it added a little lime juice and sesame oil Had it with noodles and chicken and a few chopped veggies
Traci says
Yay! So glad you went for it and enjoyed. I love peanut sauce in the same ways. Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy!
Gina says
How much peanut butter? The amount is missing. Thanks!
Traci says
Hi Gina, I'm not sure what you mean. The amount of peanut butter is in the recipe card. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks and enjoy!
Wendy says
Where is the recipe?
I hate this when I look up a recipe and I spend God knows how long scrolling through God knows how much endless text without ever getting the amount of ingredients to use to make the sauce!!!! I don't want to watch a video I want a recipe!
Traci says
Hi Wendy, there's a 'jump to recipe' button at the very top of the article on most modern blogs, including mine. It takes you straight to the recipe, which is located at the bottom of the article. Enjoy!
Jennifer says
Will be making this soon. Probably keep refrigerated, I would assume? Thanks, Traci.
Jennifer
Traci says
Aww, of course 🙂 And yes refrigerate – I included a note in the recipe card. Thanks for asking. Enjoy!!
Seva Garrett says
love this sauce! used it for Stir Fry, everyone loved it!
Leese says
It was so amazing. I love my food spicy so I added crushed red pepper flakes and Cayenne. I put some on spicy tuna lettuce wraps and then mixed w ramen and veggies. Can’t wait to make another batch and double it. Thank you.
Traci says
Yayy! I'm so glad you went for it. So easy, right? And, as you know, customizable 🙂 I love mine spicy too, so I usually add more heat than the family-friendly version I created here. Thanks so much for the feedback. Much appreciated!
Only1 says
So do I just guess the measurements?
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm not sure what you mean. There's a printable recipe card with the full recipe measurements and instructions.
Narelle says
All the information is there if you look.
Patti says
Substituted the one tablespoon of soy sauce with one tablespoon of fish sauce and added a whole tablespoon of Siracha. Really gave it a kick with umami!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome...so glad you enjoyed it! I like fish sauce in it too, but I kept it vegan knowing it could be added. Thanks for the review! 🙂
Natasja says
Made peanut soba noodles with this and it tasted so good! Even the picky eaters in my house loved it.
We will be eating this a lot more.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear it, Natasja! This peanut sauce really goes well on a lot of things. Glad your family is enjoying it...thanks for letting me know!
K says
Tastes great! How long would this last stored in the refrigerator? I'd love to whip up a large batch and set aside for future use.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks K! I've had mine up to a week or 10 days easily...maybe even more, but mine never lasts that long lol. Glad you're enjoying the recipe 🙂
GC says
Delicious sauce! I used it as a dipping sauce for dumplings. I had to use double the amount of water though for it to have a nice consistency.
Traci Antonovich says
Yay, so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, the water can easily be adjusted to change consistency. Glad you found your sweet spot 🙂