Easy Thai Peanut Sauce in Under 5 Minutes! (+ Video) (2024)

By Tiffany Published June 23, 2021 • Last Updated: June 23, 2021 74 Comments

This yummy peanut sauce is smooth and creamy, perfect for noodles or stir fry. Made with simple real food ingredients, you can use this savory Thai peanut sauce for salads, spring rolls, and more!

It never fails. Every year when the temperatures start to warm, I crave salads.

My Costco-copy Sweet Kale Salad is really good, and so is my Panzanella Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing. But this time I was craving something very specific: chicken salad with Thai peanut sauce.

I also wanted an easy peanut sauce recipe that could double as a sauce OR a dressing. You know the kind I’m talking about, right? Where it’s thin enough for drizzling into some crunchy vegetables and getting solid coverage as a dressing, but thick enough to dip spring rolls or chunks of grilled chicken.

And if I can take that one sauce recipe from salad weather to warm-and-cozy weather, that’s a winner!

THAI PEANUT SAUCE INGREDIENTS

The ingredients for this peanut sauce are simple and healthy!

• Creamy peanut butter (I use unsweetened natural peanut butter – you may need to reduce the sugar if you use conventional peanut butter)
• Rice vinegar (you can use apple cider vinegar)
• Lime juice
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce (I used coconut aminos but you can use liquid aminos or tamari if you’re gluten-free)
• Salt
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Fresh grated ginger
• Garlic
• Sugar
• Honey (or maple syrup)
• Cilantro

Note: I’m NOT using fish sauce or sesame oil in this Thai peanut sauce. I love both ingredients, but this recipe is perfect without them!

That said, every ingredient listed is necessary. I’ve tried reducing and subbing and the results were not nearly as good. But I bet you have most or all of these in your kitchen right now.

You could sub almond butter if absolutely necessary, but honestly, I didn’t think it tasted as good.

Psst! Want to make sure your salt is fresh AND doesn’t have microplastics (ummm, gross…)? Try Ava Jane’s Kitchen for this recipe and add a pinch as a great savory finisher! You can get an 8oz bag for free!! (Get your bag of salt on this page. Just pay shipping.)

THAI PEANUT SAUCE RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor EXCEPT the cilantro.

Step 2. Once it is creamy, add cilantro.

Step 3. Pulse until cilantro is in small pieces.

Use your peanut sauce right away or refrigerate for 4-5 days. The sauce might separate a bit in the fridge, so just give it a good shake or whisk before using.

PEANUT BUTTER SAUCE CRUNCH SALAD

You can make your own peanut butter sauce crunch salad by starting with 4 cups of thinly sliced Napa cabbage (which is MUCH milder in flavor than typical green cabbage) and adding 4 more cups of crunchy vegetables. Some examples:

• Matchstick carrots (use a julienne peeler to cut them quickly!)
• Bell peppers (I suggest red, orange, or yellow for the mild flavors)
• English cucumber (seeded)
• Broccoli stems (buy the whole bunch and use the florets in easy Homemade Alfredo Sauce!)
• Sliced Brussels sprouts
• Matchstick radishes
• Mix and match with what you have, what’s on sale, what’s in your garden, and what your family likes. Once you top it with this peanut butter sauce, your people will forget they’re eating a big bowl of vegetables.

If you like a more complete salad recipe, try Crunchy Vegetable Quinoa Salad or Costco Copycat Kale Salad!

TO SERVE PEANUT SAUCE

There are so many great ways to use peanut sauce. Some of my favorite ways include:

• Add it to any Asian dish (like pad Thai!)
• Use it as a stir-fry sauce
• As a dipping sauce for chicken satay or Steamed Shrimp
• In any noodle dish
• As a salad dressing (try it as a substitute dressing on this Buffalo Chicken Ranch Salad – same veggies and protein, totally NEW TASTE!)
• With Spring rolls or dumplings
• Mix with coconut milk for an AMAZING sauce
• On lettuce wraps
• In an Asian slaw

And of course, feel free to top with chicken for a boost in protein.

Any chicken will do, but I recommend All-Purpose Slow Cooker Chicken, especially in the summer. All the benefits of having chicken ready for your favorite meals, without having to heat up the house!

Whether it’s chicken, noodles, or salad, this authentic Thai peanut sauce is sure to make your meal spectacular!

THAI PEANUT SAUCE RECIPE FAQS

MORE ASIAN-STYLE RECIPES

• Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
• Asian Mason Jar Salad with Rice And Miso Dressing
• Instant Pot Korean Beef
• Sweet And Sticky Chicken
• Kung Fu Panda Soup

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WATCH HOW TO MAKE THAI PEANUT SAUCE

Thai Peanut Sauce

Print Recipe

★★★★★4.9 from 20 reviews

This yummy peanut sauce is smooth and creamy, perfect for noodles or stir fry. Made with simple real food ingredients, you can use this savory Thai peanut sauce for salads, spring rolls, and more!

• Author: Tiffany
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Sauces/Condiments
• Method: Blender/Food processor
• Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

Scale

• ¼ cup peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp lime juice (about 1 ½ limes)
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce (I use liquid aminos; use tamari if you’re gluten-free)
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
• 1” fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 2–3 garlic cloves)
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
• ¼ cup cilantro

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor EXCEPT the cilantro.
2. Once it is creamy, add cilantro.
3. Pulse until cilantro is in small pieces.
4. Use your dressing on your salad or meal as desired. That’s it!

Notes

• I’m NOT using fish sauce or sesame oil. I love both ingredients, but this recipe is perfect without them!
• Every ingredient is necessary. I’ve tried reducing and subbing and the results were not nearly as good.

Nutrition

• Calories: 1005

Keywords: peanut sauce