Thai Peanut Sauce (Authentic Recipe)
Authentic Thai peanut sauce balances creamy peanut butter with the complex flavors of rich coconut milk, umami fish sauce, and tangy tamarind paste. This restaurant-quality recipe goes beyond basic satay sauce by incorporating palm sugar and fresh lime juice for proper sweet-sour balance that defines Thai cuisine. The addition of red curry paste provides gentle heat and aromatic depth with lemongrass and galangal notes. Unlike simplified Western versions, this sauce has incredible layers of umami from fish sauce and luxurious richness from coconut milk. Use it as a satay dipping sauce for grilled skewers, toss with rice noodles for quick pad thai, or drizzle over grilled chicken and vegetables. Thin with coconut milk for a noodle sauce or use thick as a dip. Store refrigerated for up to two weeks.
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Ingredients
- •Creamy peanut butter - 1/2 cup
- •Coconut milk - 1/3 cup
- •Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
- •Lime juice - 2 tablespoons
- •Brown sugar - 2 tablespoons
- •Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
- •Garlic clove - 1, minced
- •Fresh ginger - 1 teaspoon, grated
- •Red pepper flakes - 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
- •Water - To thin as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine peanut butter and coconut milk. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- 2
Add soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves.
- 3
Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
- 4
Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce will thicken as it cooks.
- 5
If sauce is too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- 6
Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings - add more lime for tang, soy sauce for salt, brown sugar for sweetness, or red pepper flakes for heat.
- 7
Let cool slightly before serving. Sauce will thicken as it cools, thin with water if needed.
Tips & Variations
Pro Tips
- • Taste and adjust seasoning as you go
- • Use room temperature ingredients for best emulsification
- • Let flavors meld by refrigerating 30 minutes before serving
Storage
- • Refrigerator: Up to 1 week in airtight container
- • Freezer: Up to 3 months (thaw overnight)
Variations
Make it spicier with cayenne, tangier with extra lemon, or creamier with more mayo. Customize to your taste!
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Thai Peanut Sauce (Easy)
Creamy, nutty, and perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, this Thai peanut sauce transforms simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary. Smooth peanut butter forms the rich base, enhanced by coconut milk, soy sauce, fresh lime juice, and a touch of brown sugar for sweetness. Fresh garlic and ginger provide aromatic depth while sriracha adds customizable heat that builds without overwhelming. Unlike thin satay sauces, this version has a thick, clingy consistency perfect for noodle bowls and dipping. Use it over rice noodles for quick weeknight dinners, as a satay dipping sauce for grilled skewers, or drizzled over grilled chicken salads. The sauce keeps refrigerated for two weeks and can be thinned with warm water or coconut milk as needed.
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