Dad’s Thai peanut sauce is “family famous,” renowned by everyone who tries it! As a dipping sauce for veggies or spring rolls, mixed into noodles or stir fries, or just with a spoon (it’s that good!), this peanut sauce is famous for a reason.
Dad knows how to make a mean Thai peanut sauce. I often wonder how in the world Dad came up with this sauce, because it’s a handful of ingredients that I would have never devised on my own (he’s a cooking genius!).
I’ve always been spoiled by Dad’s cooking, so it’s no surprise that this Thai peanut sauce is so good. I’ve tried so many bottled peanut sauces, and there’s not one that even remotely compares to this one! Looking back to my childhood, this is still one of my favorite recipes. If this sauce doesn’t become world famous, I don’t know what will!
Best yet, it’s takes less than 15 minutes to make. Throw the ingredients in a blender and let the blender do the work! Grill up Juicy Pork Tenderloin and steam Garlicky Bok Choy, and you have yourself the most delicious Asian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- Smooth peanut butter – using regular smooth peanut butter yields the best results. You can use natural peanut butter if it’s well-stirred beforehand, however you might experience some separation if you don’t plan on using the peanut sauce right away.
- Red onion – red onion adds flavor and complexity.
- Hoisin sauce – hoisin sauce adds a nice Asian flair. It’s sweet and salty, usually made from soybeans and spices.
- Soy sauce – soy sauce adds saltiness and savory umami flavor.
- Ketchup – ketchup adds sweetness and a subtle tomato undertone. Heinz does the job.
- Sesame oil – sesame oil gives peanut sauce a silky texture and subtle sesame flavor.
- Rice wine vinegar – rice wine vinegar adds acid and tang.
- Garlic – garlic because garlic!
- Fresh ginger – ginger because we are making Thai peanut sauce! You can typically get fresh ginger right in the produce section of the grocery store. Make sure to peel your fresh ginger before chopping it.
- Cayenne pepper (optional) – if you want your Thai peanut sauce to have a kick, add a dash of cayenne.
How to Make Peanut Sauce
It can’t get easier than this…
- Blend.
Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- Serve.
I like to serve peanut sauce at room temperature. You can also microwave it gently until warm, or even serve it chilled!
Serving Suggestions
The best way to eat this peanut sauce is spoonfuls, right into your mouth (because it’s that good!!). Here are some other ways of servings it.
As a Dip For…
- Veggies (uncooked or cooked, like these Sesame Sugar Snap Peas)
- Spring rolls
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Grilled chicken or Baked Chicken
- Skewered Chicken, Beef or Pork Satay
- Shrimp, grilled or chilled
- Shrimp Tempura Sushi Rolls
Mixed Into…
- Noodles or Noodle Bowls
- Stir Fries
- Salads
I like to serve my peanut sauce at room temperature but you can also microwave it gently (in increments of 20 seconds) until warm, or even serve it chilled.
Storage
Store peanut sauce, in the refrigerator, in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
You can freeze peanut sauce in a freezer-safe container for 3-4 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The sauce is creamy and velvety. It’s thick enough to use as a dip, but thin enough to use as a sauce tossed into noodles.
I recommend adding a splash of coconut milk or coconut cream for a looser sauce. This also adds an undertone of coconut which is also quite common in Thai peanut sauce!
This peanut sauce is savory, a little sweet, a little salty, and bold from the rich flavors of sesame, ginger and other Asian flavors!
More Asian Recipes You’ll Love!
- Vietnamese Grilled Chicken Noodle Bowl
- Best Easy Shrimp Tempura Rolls
- Brown Butter Miso Glazed Carrots
- Korean BBQ Ramen Noodle Bowl
- Sesame-Garlic Baby Bok Choy
- Pear & Apple Salad with Peanut Ginger Sauce
Equipment
- Blender (or food processor)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ medium red onion
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 large garlic clove peeled
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger peeled and chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, scrapping down the sides of the blender as needed.
- I like to serve peanut sauce at room temperature. You can also microwave it gently (in increments of 20 seconds) until warm, or even serve it chilled!
Video
Notes
- If you like your peanut sauce chunky, add a handful of peanuts to the peanut sauce after it’s blended together.
- Add a splash of coconut milk or coconut cream if you like a looser peanut sauce, or one that has coconut undertones!
