Fan-Favorite Peanut Sauce

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This peanut sauce has many saying “this is the best peanut sauce I’ve ever made”! Unlike other peanut sauce recipes, this one require no blender or food processor – all you need is a bowl and a spoon! I’ve previously tried so many peanut sauce recipes with too much soy sauce or lime – which ruins the flavor. I crafted this sauce to have the optimal balance of salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy – exactly what you need in a perfect peanut sauce. To save time and create that dreamy, creamy consistency, this recipe requires no garlic or ginger mincing while still creating an extremely flavorful sauce that will surely have you licking the bowl.

What Readers Say:

“This sauce is absolutely delicious!!! Definitely the best peanut sauce I’ve ever made. My husband is asking when we can make this again!”

-lacey on pinterest

You’d think making a peanut sauce is simple: throw together your peanut butter with something salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy and Voila! You’ve got a delicious sauce for nearly everything. But in total honesty, making the perfect peanut sauce is truly an art and I’ve been working at this for years.

I can’t tell you how many recipes I made that were so extremely salty, I could barely eat it. There was another one that was so sour – it had both lime juice AND vinegar in it – I found myself puckering with every bite.

So, after much trial and error over 7 years, I have for you the perfectly-balanced creamy, luscious, velvety peanut sauce. Trust me, you’ll want to put this stuff on everything.

Peanut Sauce Ingredients

  • Peanut butter (Natural)*
  • Soy sauce*
  • Lime juice
  • Ginger powder
  • Garlic garlic
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • Sriracha
  • Brown sugar
  • Warm water

*See below for more information.

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

What is natural peanut butter and why is this best?

Natural peanut butter is made with just peanuts (and sometimes salt), without added sugar or oils, offering a pure, nutty flavor. It’s much smoother and creamier (making it perfect for a peanut sauce!) It tends to have a little oil separation so make sure to give it a good stir (or shake!) before using. I will often store mine upside down to help the oil combine as well.

How can I make this sauce gluten-free?

Simply replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

How to Make Peanut Sauce

Mix Together your Ingredients

It’s as simple as the title says. Grab all your ingredients and pour them in a medium-sized bowl. Start with just 1/4 cup of warm water. Mix until it’s smooth. If it’s too thick for your liking, add in 1 tbsp at a time of extra water. Some recipes are better with a thinner peanut sauce, like salads, noodles, etc.

Tip: If your sauce is not combining, consider microwaving for 15 seconds.

This helps a lot!!

Serve

Enjoy your peanut sauce in so many ways – like for a dipping sauce, on your favorite protein, and more! See below for all the ways to use peanut sauce.

How to store leftover peanut sauce

Store your leftover peanut sauce in a jar or another airtight container for up to one week.

If the peanut sauce thickens in the fridge, simply add a little water to thin it out to your preferred consistency when you’re ready to use it.

How to use peanut sauce

One of the best parts of this sauce is how versatile it is! I think I’ve used it in every which way possible. For some ideas of how to use it in your own kitchen, check out this list:

Peanut Sauce Variations

  • Add texture: Try this recipe with chunky peanut butter or add some crushed peanuts. Sesame seeds could be fun too!
  • Add other flavors: A small amount of miso paste would add depth of flavor. You could also try red curry paste for a little extra spice. For authentic thai peanut sauce, add coconut milk for some creaminess.
  • Thick vs. thin: For dipping sauces, thicker consistency sauce (less water) usually works better. Thinner sauces are usually more popular for drizzling on veggies, salads, etc.

Pro Tips

  • Use a drippy smooth peanut butter. Avoid using the bottom of the jar peanut butter that’s clumpy and dry. This will not yield a smooth, creamy peanut butter. I love to use a natural peanut butter that requires a little mixing to incorporate the oils for the best peanut sauce.
  • Mix with warm water. This will help the ingredients combine and create a smoother texture.

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Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe

Allie Petersen
Finally! A peanut sauce that requires NO blender and comes together in minutes. This is by-far the easiest recipe you will find and has also been taste tested for YEARS to create the perfect balance of mouthwatering flavors. Perfect for dipping, drizzling, dressing and MORE!
5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4 -6
Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted creamy peanut butter should be drippy not the clumpy kind at the bottom of the jar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari* See note
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1-2 teaspoon sriracha add to taste
  • 2 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup
  • 1/4-1/3 cup warm water add more as needed for desired thickness

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized bowl, add all your ingredients together. I recommend starting with 1/4 cup warm water, and adding more 1 tbsp at a time if your sauce is too thick for your liking.
    Tip: If your sauce ingredients aren't combining well, try microwaving for 15 seconds and then continue stirring. I also find adding an extra small splash of water as I mix helps the sauce become creamier.
  • Store in the fridge in a glass jar or airtight container for up to 7 days. It likely will thicken, and you can add a small amount of warm water to regain the desired consistency.

Notes

⭐️I have made this recipe for many family and friends over the years – some taste buds prefer the sauce with 3 tbsp of soy sauce, some with 2 tbsp. Adjust this to your your liking. 🙂 
Simple substitutions for this Peanut Sauce Recipe
  • Soy sauce –> Use tamari or coconut aminos instead for a gluten-free option. 
  • Lime juice –> Use rice vinegar for a similar tangy addition. 
  • Ginger powder –> You can use fresh minced ginger. 1/2 tsp powder =  ~2 tsp minced/grated
  • Garlic powder –> You can use freshly minced ginger. 1/2 tsp powder = 1 minced clove
 

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 8gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 669mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Comment below & tag @naturallieplantbased on Instagram!

One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    This is the best peanut sauce out there- the flavors are spot on. I like mine a little spicier to I add in 2 tsp of sriracha. This is incredible as a sauce for tofu.

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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