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With its rich, nutty taste and velvety texture, this Vegan Peanut Sauce is perfect for everything from delightful dips to sumptuous dressings and lip-smacking sauces. It's the ultimate must-have in your kitchen arsenal, adding a vibrant burst of flavor to your favorite meals.
If your meals need a little flavor pick-me-up, you need to give this Vegan Peanut Sauce recipe a try. It'll take your dishes from "meh" to "wow" in seconds! Creamy, nutty, and fantastically zesty, this flavorful sauce will add a burst of excitement to your everyday dishes.
I love the versatility of peanut butter and it's wonderful for sweet treats such as my vegan peanut butter cookies or to add protein to my chocolate peanut butter ovenight oats and it's so tasty for a savory dish such as my peanut noodle salad.
So, it just makes sense to turn it into a luscious sauce with a blissful balance of rich, peanut buttery flavors that are perfectly complemented by a hint of sweetness, tanginess, and just a touch of heat. It's a game-changer!
And the best part? You can customize it by swapping ingredients or adjusting the quantities to suit your taste. So, grab that whisk and get ready for a heavenly sauce that will make your taste buds sing!
Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick recap of the ingredients and some substitute ideas:
- Peanut Butter - You can use a natural or creamy variety for this recipe. Try to use a fresh jar that's smooth, not the dried-up part at the bottom of a jar which will make it difficult to combine.
- Soy Sauce - To make your peanut sauce gluten-free, you can use tamari, instead. Coconut aminos will also work, offering a slightly sweeter and milder taste.
- Lime Juice - You can use lemon juice instead, but I would reduce the amount by half and add more if needed.
- Rice Vinegar - Substitute with ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar for a slightly fruitier undertone. White wine vinegar can also be used if you prefer a sharper taste.
- Toasted Sesame Oil - While toasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor, regular sesame oil can work as a replacement.
- Agave Nectar - Swap agave nectar with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Fresh Ginger - While nothing quite matches the vibrant taste of fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger as a substitute.
- Sriracha - If you're looking for a milder heat, consider using chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes. For a completely different flavor, try using a few drops of hot sauce.
- Garlic - Fresh is best, but you can also use 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic.
How to make the Vegan Peanut Sauce
You can create this tasty sauce in a matter of minutes. Here's how to do it:
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.
- Whisk until smooth, adding more water if needed to achieve desired thickness.
- Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to let the flavors meld a bit. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, just whisk in a few splashes of water before serving.
How to use it
Oh, the possibilities are endless! Peanut sauce is an exquisite addition to various dishes, making it the ultimate sidekick for your culinary creations. Pour it over stir-fried veggies, rice bowls, salads, noodles, or tofu to elevate their taste to new heights. Use it as a dipping sauce for fresh spring rolls, vegan satay skewers, or crispy dumplings for an instant flavor boost.
Not just limited to savory dishes, peanut sauce can also add a touch of indulgence to your desserts. Try it as a dipping sauce for fruit skewers or as a drizzle over vegan chocolate ice cream for a delectable fusion of sweet and savory.
Storing Recommendations
To ensure your peanut sauce stays fresh for as long as possible, transfer it to a clean, airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for 6-7 days. Remember to give it a good stir before using it, as natural separation may occur over time.
FAQs
Absolutely! Peanut sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using, and if it thickens, you can always add a splash of warm water to bring it back to the desired consistency.
For those with peanut allergies, almond, cashew, or sunflower butter can be excellent substitutes. The flavors will vary but the sauce will still be creamy and delicious.
More savory sauces to try
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!
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Recipe
Vegan Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup peanut butter (creamy or natural)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce , low sodium (sub w/ tamari for gluten-free)
- 1.5 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2-3 teaspoons agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic , grated
- 2 teaspoons sriracha , more to taste
- ¼ cup warm water , more as needed
Recommended Equipment
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Small Bowl
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Add more water if needed to achieve desired thickness (use less water for a thick dip or more for a pourable sauce).
- You can enjoy it right away of place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill and let the flavors meld a bit more. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, just whisk in a few splashes of water. Will last in the fridge for 6-7 days in an airtight container.
Notes
- Yields about ¾ cup.
- See the post above for step-by-step photos, substitute ideas, extra tips, and FAQs.
Deb Z
Looks good Melissa. Thank you. When you say serves 4 people, that doesn't mean anything to me. Could you please give me a measurement of how much this recipe makes? 1 cup?
Appreciate your generosity.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Deb, the recipe makes a little over 3/4 cup. Each serving is about 3 tablespoons. 🙂
Chris
This sauce is soooooo good! I used it in my tofu stir fry with a side of steamed broccoli. Honestly, I could have eaten the entire pan but I had to save some for my husband 🙂
Lucky for me there's enough left for another stir fry.
Thanks for the easy and delicious recipe!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Chris, You're most welcome! I'm so happy you loved the sauce and it sounds so perfect with the stir fry! Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback 🙂