Description
This creamy peanut sauce recipe comes together quickly to brighten any meal with its vibrant, savory-sweet aroma. It’s a versatile, family-friendly condiment perfect for easy weeknight dinners and healthy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (or water for lighter version)
- 0.25 cup alcohol-free soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 0.25 to 0.5 cup warm water, as needed
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, chili garlic sauce, and sesame oil until mostly smooth. The mixture should smell fragrant and creamy.
- Gently Heat Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and gently thickened, like a thin gravy.
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce appears too thick, gradually whisk in 0.25 to 0.5 cup warm water until it reaches your desired pourable yet spoon-coating consistency. (If it seems lumpy, a quick immersion blender pulse can make it extra silky).
- Taste And Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, perhaps a squeeze more lime for brightness or a pinch more sugar. Serve warm.
Notes
Store any leftover simple peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. For a healthier sauce, use unsweetened natural peanut butter and low-sodium soy sauce or tamari. If the sauce is too thick, gradually whisk in warm water; if too thin, stir in a bit more peanut butter or chill.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30 g)
- Calories: 220 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: easy sauce, peanut butter, healthy, family-friendly, condiment, meal prep, quick, versatile, asian-inspired