This Thai-inspired Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe is so delicious and versatile you are going to want to put it on everything and dip everything in it! It's really easy to make and only takes about 5 minutes.
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Why I Love This Easy Peanut Sauce
- This peanut sauce is so versatile and makes the perfect dipping sauce for dumplings, my Chicken Spring Rolls, Air Fryer Frozen Spring Rolls, and chicken satay.
- I love this Peanut sauce recipe because you only need one appliance for easy cleanup.
- This recipe can also be easily customized to your taste including spicier, milder, sweeter, and more just like my Spicy Shrimp Ramen with Peanut Butter.
- I also love that this recipe is kid-friendly which makes experimenting with this sauce a as family even more fun.
Key Ingredients For Homemade Peanut Sauce
- Peanut Butter - peanut butter serves as the base of the sauce, providing a creamy and nutty flavor. It adds richness and thickness to the sauce, creating a smooth and velvety texture.
- Fresh Ginger - fresh ginger adds a zesty and slightly spicy note to the peanut sauce.
It brings a unique and vibrant flavor that complements the other ingredients. - Soy Sauce (regular or low-sodium) - soy sauce adds a savory and salty taste to the peanut sauce. It contributes to the umami flavor and balances the sweetness of other ingredients.
- Chili Paste - chili paste (I use Sambal Oelek brand) contributes a spicy kick to the peanut sauce and adds a depth of flavor, giving the sauce its characteristic Thai-inspired taste. You can substitute red pepper flakes.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Peanut Dipping Sauce
I promise this will be one of the easiest multi-purpose sauces you ever make! Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse/blend until smooth.
The sauce will be thick at first so you can add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue to mix until you get the consistency you like. The sauce is ready to go!
What to Use This Sauce For
I use this sauce as a dipping sauce for my Fresh Spring Rolls recipe. I add it to rice noodles with some chicken and veggies for a quick and healthy meal. You could also use it as a salad dressing, for pad thai, or a dip for fresh veggies or satay.
Recipe FAQs
Peanut Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Ensure the sauce is tightly covered or in a sealable container.
If you want to make this peanut sauce vegan, sub the honey with maple syrup or agave syrup.
This sauce can easily be doubled or tripled for larger meals or needs.
Satays are commonly served with peanut sauce, but "satay" doesn't refer to the sauce itself. Instead, satay is Southeast Asia's favorite street food snack, consisting of skewered, grilled meat with endless variations.
Expert Tips on Making This Recipe
- I use this mini food processor to make this sauce and it is one of my most used appliances. It's small, easy to clean, and works perfectly in so many recipes.
- As I mentioned, this sauce will be quite thick at first, so feel free to add water as needed to thin it out.
- Asian chili paste, such as Sambal Oelek, will add a little spicy heat. You can add more if you are a spice lover!
- All of the ingredients are pretty flexible in portions. If you love garlic, add it. If you don't want the sauce to be as sweet, skip the honey, etc.
- I always have a ginger root in my freezer. Whenever a recipe calls for ginger, I pull it out and use my handheld grater to grate the ginger.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes to Check Out
If you get a chance to make this Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 4 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced or grated
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1-2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 6 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili paste (I use Sambal Oelek brand) (can sub red pepper flakes)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse together until everything is mixed together and smooth.
- The sauce will be thick, you can add water as needed to get the consistency you want.
Notes
- Peanut Sauce can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- I use this mini food processor to make this sauce and it is one of my most used appliances. It's small, easy to clean, and works perfectly in so many recipes.
- This sauce can easily be doubled or tripled for larger meals or needs.
- If you want to make this peanut sauce vegan, sub the honey with maple syrup or agave syrup.
- As I mentioned, this sauce will be quite thick at first, so feel free to add water as needed to thin it out.
- Asian chili paste, such as Sambal Oelek, will add a little spicy heat. You can add more if you are a spice lover!
- All of the ingredients are pretty flexible in portions. If you love garlic, add it. If you don't want the sauce to be as sweet, skip the honey, etc.
- I always have a ginger root in my freezer. Whenever a recipe calls for ginger, I pull it out and use my handheld grater to grate the ginger. It’s so easy, there is less mess and I don’t even peel it. It still maintains its amazing aroma and taste but you don’t end up throwing away any unused ginger and you always have it on hand.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Julia says
This Peanut sauce recipe is amazing, we tried it yesterday with roasted peppers, broccoli and baked tofu in a flavoured crust with this sauce drizzled over everything. It was really wonderful and we're definitely having this again. Thank you.
Emily says
Oh, that sounds delicious and is making my mouth water!! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it!
Gabriela Herrera says
I love peanut sauce so much when I make it I have to make just one or two portions because I have no self control and will want to put it on everything.
Emily says
I feel ya! The homemade stuff is nice because you control what goes into it.🙂
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I clearly need to try more Asian foods; I see I'm missing out on an amazing cuisine! Amazingly, I have all the ingredients you used for this sauce at home, and I will make it this afternoon, although I have no idea yet what's for dinner! This would not be a problem since you say it goes with anything; I trust you!:)
Emily says
I know you are going to love this sauce. Let me know how it turns out!
KALIN says
I can’t wait to try this! I’ve only made peanut sauce once and it wasn’t anything special. I have 2 big jars of Sambal Oelek and am always looking for new ways to use it too!
Emily says
I also have Sambal Oelek on hand at all times. It adds just the right amount of flavor and spice to this peanut sauce. Enjoy!
Gregory Halpen says
I’ve been thinking about making peanut sauce lately and this recipe is perfect!
Emily says
You are going to love it, I promise!
Audrey says
This sauce was so delish and super easy to make!
Emily says
I'm so glad to hear it!