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This easy peanut sauce recipe is perfect for adding a burst of flavor to your meals with minimal effort! With just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make it, it doesn’t get much easier. The most popular use for Thai peanut sauce is chicken satay skewers (which is why it’s sometimes called satay sauce), but it also tastes great with a vegetable stir fry, spring rolls, noodles, and even as a dipping sauce for vegetables or grilled meats.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Rich, nutty, tangy flavor
- Smooth, creamy texture
- Just 5 simple pantry staples (plus water)
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Naturally gluten free and dairy free
- Perfect for all kinds of Asian dishes
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade peanut sauce, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – This makes up the base of the peanut sauce recipe. I love this brand because it’s smooth, creamy, and the only ingredient is peanuts. You can also substitute almond butter if needed. If your nut butter contains sugar (I don’t recommend ;)), you may want to leave out the honey, unless you like it very sweet.
- Garlic – Crushed or grated garlic is best in this recipe, so it evenly flavors the peanut sauce recipe without overpowering it. If you use minced, make sure it’s very, very finely minced. You can also substitute 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Coconut Aminos – This is my favorite soy sauce substitute, but you can use low sodium soy sauce or tamari if it fits your lifestyle.
- Honey – Sweetens the satay sauce naturally. You can use either regular or sugar-free honey.
- Rice Vinegar – Adds a tangy flavor. If you don’t have any, you can try substituting it with apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even lime juice.
- Water – To thin out the sauce.
- Sea Salt – This is optional, and might not be needed. It depends on whether your peanut butter contains salt, and how salty your coconut aminos (or soy sauce) is. Adjust salt to your taste.
VARIATION: Add ginger or heat!
Add a teaspoon of grated ginger (or a pinch of ground ginger) for more flavor, or to make it spicy, add a drizzle of sriracha or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
How To Make Peanut Sauce
This section shows how to make satay sauce, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Mix the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, garlic, coconut aminos or soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. (You can also blend in a blender or food processor instead.)
- Adjust consistency and salt. Slowly whisk in water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The peanut sauce recipe should be smooth and pourable. Add salt to taste if needed.
TIP: The amount of water you need may vary.
I used 1/4 cup of water, but it may vary for you depending on your brand of peanut butter.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep this easy peanut sauce recipe to an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
- Freeze: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. (You can also freeze individual portions in an ice cube tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid.) Thaw on the counter, in the microwave on low power, or in the fridge overnight.
What To Serve With Peanut Sauce
This Thai peanut sauce recipe can be served in so many ways! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chicken – The most popular way to use peanut sauce is chicken satay… that’s why it’s often called satay sauce!
- Steak – Drizzle it over a flank steak, skirt steak, or any grilled steak.
- Vegetables – Dunk fresh carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli (or even roasted broccoli), celery, sugar snap peas, and radishes into this dip.
- Asian Dishes – Try peanut satay sauce over Thai shrimp lettuce wraps, spring rolls, pad Thai (or lighter spaghetti squash pad Thai), or even fried rice.
- Salads – Replace the salad dressing in Thai beef salad or smashed cucumber salad with this easy peanut sauce instead.
More Homemade Sauce Recipes
Use real food ingredients and bold flavors to create a sauce for any occasion! Try some of these next:
Peanut Sauce Recipe
Peanut Sauce Recipe (5 Ingredients!)
Make this easy Thai peanut sauce recipe in just 5 minutes, with 5 simple ingredients: peanut butter, coconut aminos, garlic, honey, & vinegar.
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, garlic, coconut aminos or soy sauce, honey, and vinegar.
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Slowly whisk in the water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. It should be smooth and pourable. The amount of water needed can vary depending on the brand of peanut butter used.
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Adjust salt to taste if needed.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Makes 1 cup.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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3 Comments
Shar
0I love the tanginess of this peanut sauce! It is indeed so simple yet so delicious and flavorful!
April
0OMG this was delicious. I could just eat it straight with a spoon, but it was so good drizzled on our chicken last night!
Kristyn
0You better believe I love this recipe for chicken!! It is the most flavorful sauce!!