Thai Peanut Sauce
Hands up, people. Is anyone out there as obsessed as I am with thai peanut sauce?
Oh my goodness. That little jar in the Asian food aisle forever seems to be calling out my name. It is one of my favorite last-minute dinner secrets to making a yummy stir fry, a quick Asian salad, chicken satay, or whatever other peanut-y meal sounds good. I seem to have no trouble coming up with excuses to try new recipes with peanut sauce!
But after years of buying the little jars, I have been itching to find an easy peanut sauce recipe to make at home. So I’m excited to say that after experimenting with a few, I have finally found a winner and wanted to share with you! This peanut sauce is ridiculously good. Way better than anything I’ve tried store-bought. It is flavorful and rich, but not overpowering and easy to adapt to whatever flavors you love best. It also just takes a few minutes to make, and makes for a heavenly sauce that you can use however you’d like.
So for all of you peanut sauce lovers like me, I hope you’ll give it a try homemade! :)
A quick and simple recipe for peanut sauce that can be used in everything from a stir-fry, to chicken satay, to a salad, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk (full-fat is standard, but you can also use "light")
- 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
- 1 cup natural (unsweetened) creamy peanut butter
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1/4 tsp. sesame oil
- (optional add-ins: sriracha hot chile sauce, grated fresh ginger, and/or minced garlic)
Method
Combine all ingredients except sesame oil in a medium saucepan and bring to a very gentle boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes over low heat; be careful not to let the mixture scorch at the bottom of the pot.
Remove from heat, stir in the sesame oil, and let the sauce cool for at least 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 month, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe adapted from She Simmers.
I literally just made this…Threw in some grilled chicken strips and noodles. It is delish!
Thank you for this!
thank you so much for sharing this recipe…I made it along with the Thai chicken tacos and it was a hit =) only thing though is that I substituted the peanut butter with sunflower butter bcuz my daughter is allergic to peanuts…couldn’t even tell the difference.
thanks again – Myra =)
This sounds yummy. Where do you buy Thai curry? Can you use creamed coconut instead of the milk? Looking foreword to making this.
Thank you!
I need this in my life. It looks like the perfect homemade version.
I am such a sucker for a good peanut sauce–I could seriously put it on everything I eat. Can’t wait to try your version!
My hand is up…am I ever obsessed! You’ve put this recipe in the right hands…I will be making this often! Thank you, thank you.
Hi Ali…and my hand is way up high on this one. I LOVE peanut sauce. But like you, I’ve not made my own before. So glad you perfected the recipe! It looks luscious! : )
Ali I am a fellow peanut sauce LOVAH! The color of it is insane… I can’t wait to give it a try!
Oooo I could just dip my shoe in this and be happy!
EVERYTHING is better slathered in peanut sauce! I am all about this!
Thank you for this recipe! I keep buying peanut sauce in the bottle but I would much rather make my own. This sounds tasty :).
This looks super yummy and easy! Thanks for sharing!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.blogpspot.com
I think Thai Peanut sauce is one of the most perfect foods. So good. Looks beautiful.
WOOOHOOO! Look at you making it yourself. love it!
Oh my, how this is calling my name! Looks spicy and yummy and fabulous!!
I dip anything and everything in peanut sauce. It’s like my own personal ketchup :) Love your photographs!
The dipping options are endless with this stuff…but right now I’m envisioning some fried tofu. Thanks for another great recipe!
ummm… shut up. I had no clue you could make your own thai peanut sauce… must go make now!!!
LOVE peanut sauce and haven’t made my own in years. This recipe looks great! And now I totally want to add sriracha to peanut sauce :)
Gorgeous pic, Ali! I’ve never made homemade peanut sauce before. Can’t wait to try!
Does it taste like satay? I love this sauce so much. I always eat it with fried tofu in thie restaurants.
I gotta try this! I love peanut sauce so much. I could actually just eat it with a spoon.
I love peanut sauce! Great idea to make your own.
My hand is raised high in the air. I could happily dollop Thai peanut sauce on everything from noodles to chicken to shrimp.
I pretty much always have all these ingredients on hand at all times, I have no excuse not to make this. I love the stuff!
Me, me I have my hand raised too Ali. Wow, what a fantastic recipe and thanks so much for sharing it. It’s so rarely available here but now I can make yours. Yay!
Made this immediately after reading. :) It’s now in a bowl with chicken, marinating.
I do have my cravings for Thai food from time to time – love your recipe for this Peanut Sauce! Looks divine!!!
Woah! Kudos to you for whipping up your own Peanut Sauce! I would’ve never thought to have a go at it myself since I usually pick it up at the store, but it’s soooo tempting to think I could have it whenever I want with this recipe ;)
It’s at the top of my favorite list! Can’t wait to try your version. Yum!
Love this! It would be so handy to haven this around – I love making stir-frys with lingering veggies on a busy weeknight!
Yummm! I love it, especially with satay chicken! I’ll have to try it with salad!
Mmm yes please!!
if thai peanut sauce is involved, you bet i’ll be ordering it from the menu. And now i must try your version at home! I love it with chicken, spinach, and chopped veggies :)
My hand is up! I can’t get enough of the stuff. Yours looks fabulous!
Thanks for posting this! After moving back from Thailand a few months ago, it’s been hard to not have the Thai staples in my kitchen. I look forward to trying this! Bonus that you used natural peanut butter too…even if you do have to add sugar :)
I love Thai peanut sauce and even better when it’s home made! I’m excited to whip this up myself :)
LOVE. THIS. Such a good idea!
This is one of my faves! How great to be able to whip up a batch whenever you need it.
I have never bought it but love the flavors…usually make my own by just mixing PB with soy sauce, chili sauce and ginger but I can’t wait to try adding coconut milk!
Thai peanut sauce is my FAVORITE! I have actually been trying not to post things with it just because I have some many thai peanut recipes! I could eat this sauce with spoon!
When does the sesame oil get used?
Oops! Accidentally forgot to write that in. Just edited – thanks for letting me know!
I’ve always loved Thai peanut sauce, makes a great dressing too. Thank you Ali
xx Le Grumeau