Asian Peanut Sauce

Here is how to make the BEST Peanut Sauce. Use it as a dip for veggies, as a satay sauce, over salad or noodles!

It is incredibly creamy, savory, slightly sweet and mildly spicy. Plus super easy to make and no-cooking involved.

As we get closer to grilling and potluck season, I am sharing my go-to sauce thats perfect to take along with so many dishes!

The peanut based sauce that is often served with Vietnamese Spring Rolls at restaurants is actually a quick 5 minute recipe to put together. And it is easy to make with ingredients you have at hand.

Works like a charm as a dipping sauce, over noodles and salad or season tofu to make satay sticks.

I have often used this sauce in my recipes but never got around making a video or a complete post on it. Finally I did!

What is Peanut Sauce?

A simple sauce made with peanuts and a host of other ingredients; this Peanut sauce is often associated with Thai cuisine. However, per this source it is actually from Indonesia.

A sauce popular as a dipping sauce for Vietnamese Spring Rolls, this one was traditionally made with roasted peanuts and a host of other ingredients.

However, churning roasted peanuts will yield peanut butter and so that works as a perfect starting point for this sauce. Unsalted and unsweetened peanut butter is a great way to make this sauce.

There are various variations of the sauce using a lot of different ingredients, this mix of ingredients has always been our favorite. I like to pour this over cold noodles or over my popular recipe of Vietnamese Spring Roll Nachos!

This Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe

• Is super quick and easy to put together. It is as simple as add the ingredients and mix well! Barely takes 5 minutes.
• This sauce works wonderfully on raw vegetables, zoodles, as a dip for spring rolls etc. It is also amazing over noodles and salad. With just one sauce the possibilities are endless!
• This version is a light one and I use water to thin it out. However, use coconut milk for a creamier and richer sauce to use as a dipping sauce.
• The sauce tastes amazing cooked, at room temperature as well as refrigerated. Use it as you like for your recipes.
• Keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. I recommend freezing it for storing it for a longer time.

Video Recipe

Ingredients

Peanut Butter: Smooth unsweetened and salted peanut butter works best for this peanut sauce. Chunky and crunchy varieties will work, however they do not yield a smooth sauce.

Sauces: The flavoring agents here are soy sauce, vinegar and hot sauce like Sriracha Garlic sauce. Together they bring in the Asian element really well.

Garlic and Scallions: These are optional but add a zing and some texture to the sauce. I especially like to add these to make a sauce for noodles.

These can be skipped if there is a dislike for raw garlic when serving the sauce with veggie sticks etc.

Seasonings: As the sauces have a lot of flavor, hence we add just a little salt, sugar and pepper powder to the sauce.

Honey, maple syrup etc also work, however I prefer sugar over these in my sauce recipe.

Water: The resulting mix of the above ingredients would be a rather thick one. Use water to make the sauce spreadable.

Adding coconut milk instead of water is an option too.

Apart from these ingredients; add sesame seeds, sesame oil, chopped roasted peanuts, chili flakes and shredded ginger to this peanut sauce for extra flavor.

Step by Step Instructions to make Peanut Sauce

1- In a bowl add peanut butter.

2- Add soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, garlic and scallions.

3- Then goes the salt, sugar and pepper.

4- Mix everything well.

5- Then add water as required to make a pourable consistency sauce.

6- Taste and adjust seasonings.

7- Transfer to a clean jar. Enjoy or refrigerate till ready to use.

Tips and Notes

• Use peanut butter that has been brought to room temperature as cold peanut butter will not work well.
• Add in hot chili oil, chili flakes or more hot sauce if you like the sauce to be spicy.
• The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Bring to room temperature or add it directly if cooking with it.
• Use this sauce as a dipping sauce for veggie straws, crudités, Vietnamese spring rolls or over noodles.