This is a sweet and spicy Asian style peanut sauce that you can make in 20 minutes. It is perfect for dipping spring rolls, satay, or even as a salad dressing.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
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This Thai-style sweet and spicy peanut butter dipping sauce is a delightful addition to any meal.
Its rich, complex flavours will elevate your salads, grilled meats, rice and ramen bowls, or stir fries like nothing else.
The perfectly harmonious balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour elements creates a flavour profile that’s both exciting and comforting.
Recipe Highlights
- its a vegan sauce
- does not contain gluten
- requires no cooking at all
- perfectly meal prep friendly
- it takes less than 20 minutes
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delectable peanut sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Creamy peanut butter preferably unsweetened. It is the base of the sauce, providing creaminess and a nutty flavour.
- Light to medium soy sauce adds a salty umami depth to the sauce.
- Rice Vinegar contributes a tangy acidity to balance the sweetness.
- Fresh lime juice brightens up the flavours.
- Sweetener: Add honey/maple syrup/brown sugar/jaggery for a touch of sweetness.
- Chilli Paste or Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce for the heat. Adjust based on your spice preference.
- Chilli Flakes or Gochujang Chilli Powder
- Sesame Oil for that savoury flavour.
- Garlic and Ginger for a warm, savoury, spicy note
- Water or coconut milk to get blend the peanut sauce and get the desired consistency.
How To Make Peanut Sauce
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Start by gathering all your ingredients.
- Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
- Squeeze the fresh lime juice.
Combine the Base Ingredients:
- In a blender or food processor with blade attachment, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, sweetener, chilli paste and powder.
- Pulse until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add Lime Juice:
- Add lime juice and water or coconut milk.
- Pulse for few seconds one last time to get a silky, smooth, saucy consistency.
- Taste the peanut sauce and add more sweetener, soy sauce for saltiness, lime juice for acidity, or chilli flakes for heat.
Adjust Consistency:
- Depending on your desired consistency, add water or coconut milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach the perfect thickness. The sauce should be smooth and pourable but not too runny
Peanut Sauce Usage Ideas
- Spring Rolls: This peanut butter dipping sauce pairs wonderfully with fresh or fried spring rolls. The combination of crispy vegetables, rice paper, and the spicy peanut sauce is irresistible.
- Satay: Use it as a dipping sauce for chicken, beef, or tofu satay. The nutty and spicy flavours complement the grilled skewers perfectly.
- Vegetable Platter: Serve the sauce as a dip for fresh vegetables like cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, and celery for a healthy grazing platter.
- Salad Dressing: Thin out the sauce with a bit more water or lime juice and drizzle it over Chinese chicken salad as a dressing.
- Noodle Bowls: Toss it with cooked Pad Thai noodles, add your choice of protein and vegetables for a quick and satisfying meal.
More Dipping Sauce Recipes
- Chilli Oil
- Hummus
- Baba Ganoush
- Spicy Mango Dip
- Creamy Chilli Corn Dip
- Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce
- Greek Cucumber Sauce
- Roasted Red Pepper Dip
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![aerial shot of peanut sauce in a bowl with the spoon](https://www.funfoodfrolic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Peanut-Sauce-Blog-300x300.jpg)
Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 Cup unsweetened peanut butter
- 4 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon red chilli paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or jaggery powder
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes
- ¼ Cup water or coconut milk
Instructions
- Add lime juice and water or coconut milk.
- Pulse for few seconds one last time to get a silky, smooth, saucy consistency.
- Taste the peanut sauce and add more sweetener, soy sauce for saltiness, lime juice for acidity, or chilli flakes for heat.
- Store sweet and spicy peanut sauce in the fridge for 1 week.
Recipe Notes:
-
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chilli paste to suit your spice tolerance. Start with less and add more as needed.
- Consistency: The sauce can thicken over time. If you’re making it ahead, you may need to add a bit more water or coconut milk before serving.
- Storage: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir well before each use.
- Depending on your desired consistency, add water or coconut milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach the perfect thickness. The sauce should be smooth and pourable but not too runny.
- You can use crunchy peanut butter also for making the sauce.
- Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.
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