Thai Peanut Sauce
Thai Peanut Sauce is a creamy and savory condiment that is commonly served as a dipping sauce or used as a flavor enhancer for various dishes. Our version combines peanut butter, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, chili sauce, lime zest, and a pinch of sugar.
Best Peanut Sauce
Let’s pay reverence to a peanut sauce that works in a variety of recipes. After your taste buds experience this tangy sauce, you’ll see why it can be used in the following ways.
- Dipping Sauce: It’s commonly served as a dipping sauce for skewered and grilled meat (satay), vegetables, tofu, or spring rolls.
- Salad Dressing: Thai peanut sauce can be thinned out with a bit of water or lime juice and used as a salad dressing.
- Stir-Fry Sauce: It can be used as a stir-fry sauce to coat vegetables, noodles, or meat.
- Marinade: Thai peanut sauce can also serve as a flavorful marinade for meats and tofu.
- Noodle Dishes: It’s often used as a sauce for dishes like Pad Thai or other noodle stir-fries.
Why This Recipe Works:
After browsing the internet, most people will understand the primary ingredients for a good peanut sauce. The key is the proportions of ingredients and this may change depending on how you are using the sauce.
- SIMPLE – This Thai peanut sauce recipe is made using pantry staples that you’ll find in your local grocery store. An easy recipe for weeknight cooking.
- FULL OF FLAVOR – We are huge fans of Thai food and the accompanied spicy flavors. This delicious sauce is a great pairing for Buddha bowls, chicken satay skewers, Thai salads, and your favorite Thai noodle salad.
- CUSTOMIZABLE – You can sub-out ingredients depending on your taste preferences. We like to add fresh garlic or fresh ginger on occasion.
Ingredients Used for the Best Thai Peanut Sauce:
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this flavorful sauce.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy or chunky peanut butter forms the base of the sauce, providing its rich and nutty flavor. I don’t recommend natural peanut butter or almond butter for this recipe.
- Sesame Oil: A small amount of sesame oil enhances the nutty flavor profile of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce – Contributes saltiness and umami flavor to the sauce.
- Fish Sauce: A liquid condiment that provies a savory umami element and balances out the spices in the dish.
- Lime: Lime zest and juice adds a tangy and slightly acidic element that brightens up the sauce.
- Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice vinegar has a milder and less citrusy flavor compared to lime juice but can be used in conjunction for added flavor.
- Chili Garlic Sauce or Paste: These provide the sauce with a bit of heat and spiciness. The level of spiciness can be adjusted according to personal preference.
- Sugar: A pinch of granulated sugar is used to balance out the flavors and add a touch of sweetness. You could also use brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Cold Water: A little water may be needed to thin the sauce.
How to make Easy Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe:
Step 1
Combine ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients – the peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil (regular and toasted), rice vinegar, fish sauce, chili sauce, lime zest, and sugar.
Step 2
Whisk. Use a whisk to combine the ingredients until very well mixed.
NOTE: If you want the sauce to be completely smooth, use a food processor instead of a whisk.
Step 3
Add water. Then add 1-2 Tablespoons of cold water and whisk again until you’ve reached your desired consistency.
Step 4
Store. Pour sauce into a mason jar or an airtight container to store.
How to Store Thai Peanut Sauce:
To store peanut sauce, pour it into a mason jar and store it at room temperature for a few hours. Refrigerate leftover sauce for up to one week.
Recipe Variations:
- You could play with the ingredient proportions depending on your taste buds.
- Instead of using both rice vinegar and lime zest, use fresh lime juice.
- Use only one of sesame oil or toasted sesame oil.
- Try crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter for added texture.
- Use only one teaspoon of chili sauce for less spice.
How to serve Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- Buddha Bowls with Thai Peanut Sauce (pictured below)
- Spicy Peanut Noodles
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
- Serve it as a peanut satay sauce with chicken skewers or steak kabobs. The perfect dipping sauce for fresh spring rolls too!
Other Thai Recipes:
As mentioned, we love Thai cuisine, and we use Thai red curry paste in many of our recipes.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoon cold water
- lime zest and a pinch of sugar
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients – the peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil (regular and toasted), rice vinegar, fish sauce, chili sauce, lime zest, and sugar.1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons sesame oil, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, lime zest and a pinch of sugar
- Whisk. Use a whisk to combine the ingredients until very well mixed.
- Add water. Then add 1-2 Tablespoons of cold water and whisk again until you've reached your desired consistency.1-2 Tablespoon cold water
- Store. Pour sauce into a mason jar to store.
Notes
- Use this peanut sauce in our Buddha Bowls with Peanut Sauce or Spicy Peanut Noodles or Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
- To store peanut sauce, pour it into a mason jar and store at room temperature for a few hours. Refrigerate leftover sauce for up to one week.
Tastes great and it’s easy peasy to make. It’s a must for the Buddha bowls that are described above.
Yes please!