The perfect Peanut Sauce is only 10 minutes away! This sauce is so simple to make, yet so complex in flavor. It’s perfect for dipping or for dressing a salad or noodles.
Homemade sauces, like this Peanut Sauce, are so much better than anything you can get at the store! For more homemade sauces, try this Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe or this Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe
This Peanut Sauce recipe is actually not new to the blog. I first made it with these Thai Peanut Noodles, and totally fell in love with it.
And realized that it needed its own post, because while it is completely delicious with noodles, it is really so versatile. And so good that you need to make it with everything.
What I love the most about this recipe is how simple it is to make, yet the flavor is anything but simple. I’ve never had a peanut sauce with such a complex flavor before. When going out, I usually find peanut sauce to be a bit bland, but this sauce is anything but bland.
It may have a few more ingredients than some other recipes out there, but I think it’s all worth it!
Ingredients
Peanut Butter: You’ll want to use a natural peanut butter. The kind with nothing but peanuts is best. Look at the label, because some peanut butters that are labeled as natural sometimes have sugar in them. If the peanut butter has sugar, cut the amount of sugar in half.
Soy Sauce: I always use low sodium soy sauce. You could also sub in tamari or coconut aminos.
Sugar: This sauce definitely has a sweet side to it. If that’s not your thing, cut back the sugar, or leave it out completely. I love what the sugar brings, but I know it’s not for everyone.
Worcestershire Sauce: This is definitely not an ingredient you see in peanut sauce very often, but it adds to the complexity of the flavor.
Toasted Sesame Oil: I would say this is a non-skippable ingredient. The sesame oil adds a very unique flavor.
Rice Vinegar: If you make a lot of Asian food, you should have this on hand.
Ginger: If you can, use fresh ginger. I’d only use ginger powder in a pinch.
Garlic: Again, use fresh if possible.
Sriracha: The recipe only calls for 1 teaspoon, but if you like it spicy, you can add more. Or if you can serve it with red pepper flakes so those who want to add some spice can add it to their portion. You could also sub in chili paste for the sriracha.
Water: You’ll only use the water if you want a thinner sauce. I leave it out if I’m using the sauce as a dip, but will add water for a dressing. You could also use coconut milk for even more flavor.
How to Make Peanut Sauce
This is the most simple part of the recipe!
- Combine all the ingredients (except the water) in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth.
- If you want a thinner sauce, (to use for a salad dressing or to dress noodles), add water and process until smooth.
Tips and Tricks
- Want to make it peanut free? Try another nut butter, like almond butter.
- If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can try to whisk it all together by hand. It may not end up as smooth, but will still be delicious.
- You can use the sauce right away, but I like to refrigerate it for about an hour. It will thicken up some as it is refrigerated, so keep that in mind when adding water.
- Store the peanut sauce in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Use Peanut Sauce
Use it as a dipping sauce – it’s perfect for spring rolls or chicken satay.
Use it as a sauce for noodles – this is how I first made this sauce. These Thai Peanut Noodles are addictive!
Use it as a dressing – make a Thai or Asian inspired salad and drizzle this sauce on top. It would go great on this Thai Chicken Salad!
Drizzle it on top – serve it alongside Chicken Lettuce Wraps and people can add even more flavor.
More Asian Influenced Recipes
Thai Style Hot Dogs
Buddha Bowl with Thai Chicken
Butter Chicken
Spicy Thai Chicken
Spicy Pork Noodle Bowl
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Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar*
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peeled, diced fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or to taste
- Water
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine all of the ingredients except the water.
- Process until smooth. Taste, and add salt, if needed.
- If using as a dip, remove and transfer to a container. If using as a sauce or a dressing, add water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate until needed.
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