Peanut Sauce

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This peanut sauce is the absolute best! Smooth, creamy, with the perfect balance of garlic, ginger, and sesame. Use it on noodles, as a salad dressing, or as a dipping sauce.

Looking for a sauce with a similar flavor, but doesn’t use peanut butter? Make this grilled chicken satay with almond butter sauce.

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Bowl of peanut sauce with a spoon scooping some out of it.

Why you’ll love it

Versatile – This peanut sauce can be used in so many ways. Toss it in with hot rice noodles, Drizzle it on top of protein or veggies, use it as a peanut dressing for salads, or serve it as a dipping sauce.

Flavorful – This is by far one of the most flavorful sauces I’ve made. It’s creamy and has a nutty, bright, spicy flavor from the peanut butter, lime, ginger, and sriracha.

Easy to make – You don’t need any special equipment to make this sauce. Just a microplane zester, mixing bowl, and a whisk. It can be ready to use in minutes!

Ingredients for peanut sauce in white bowls.

Ingredients for peanut sauce

  • Peanut butter – Use natural creamy unsweetened peanut butter.
  •  Low sodium soy sauce – Gives the sauce a salty, savory, umami flavor. Keep it gluten-free and use tamari 
  • Lime juice – Fresh squeezed lime juice gives the sauce a bright tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter.
  • Honey – Used to sweeten the sauce.
  • Ginger – Gives the sauce a fresh, zingy, flavor.
  • Toasted sesame oil – This will give the sauce a nutty, rich sesame flavor.
  • Sriracha – Gives the sauce a spicy, garlicy kick.
  • Garlic powder – If you prefer, 1 small clove of fresh garlic can be used.
  • Water – Water is used to thin out the sauce.
Spoon lifting up some of the peanut sauce out of a bowl.

How to make peanut sauce

This sauce is so easy to make! Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.

If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. Taste for seasoning before using it.

Substitutions and variations

  • Make the peanut dressing vegan by substituting honey with maple syrup.
  • Peanut butter may be substituted with an equal amount of almond butter if you or someone you’re serving it to has a peanut allergy.

Ways to use Thai peanut sauce

Some of my favorite recipes to make using this Thai peanut sauce are, Thai chicken salad, sesame chicken noodle bowls, and these spring roll bowls.

It also works well as a salad dressing, dipping sauce for vegetables or protein, or drizzle it onto grilled meat or on top of these Thai chicken lettuce wraps.

A white bowl with peanut sauce in it and the ingredients used to make it behind the bowl.

How long will peanut sauce keep?

The sauce will keep for 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to add additional water if it gets too thick.

Is peanut sauce gluten-free?

As long as you use tamari instead of soy sauce, the peanut sauce is gluten-free.

What kind of peanut butter should be used for peanut sauce?

Use a smooth, creamy natural peanut butter that is unsweetened. The only ingredients should be peanuts and salt.

More sauce recipes to try

Did you make this peanut sauce? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.

Bowl of peanut sauce with a spoon scooping some out of it.
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Peanut Sauce

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6 ounces
This peanut sauce has the perfect balance of peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame. Use it on noodles, as a salad dressing, or as a dipping sauce.
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Ingredients 

  • 5 tablespoons creamy natural peanut butter, unsweetened
  • 3 tablespoons water, or as needed
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce, tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Taste for seasoning. If the sauce is still too thick add a tablespoon of water at a time until your desired consistency is reached.

Notes

Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 502mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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