Easy Peanut Sauce (Vegan!)

A luscious Thai-style vegan Peanut Sauce recipe with fresh garlic, ginger, and tangy sweetness! It's so easy to prepare with just 6 simple ingredients. Plus incredibly versatile in the ways you can enjoy it! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

I cannot contain my excitement for this peanut sauce! It's so creamy, luscious, and one of my all-time favorite recipes.

The flavor is amazing with fresh garlic, ginger, and tangy sweetness... all swirled into a rich, peanut butter base.

The best part is it's so easy to make! You need only 6 simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes of your time.

Plus it's so versatile in ways you can enjoy it. Try it as a dipping sauce, salad dressing, on protein, stir-fries, or whatever else sounds good. Let's get to it!

Ingredients for Vegan Peanut Sauce

For this recipe you'll whisk together in a medium bowl:

• Peanut butter: I use creamy, natural, and organic when possible. (If peanuts are an issue with your diet, I'm guessing you could substitute with a different nut butter or seed butter, but I haven't tested this.)
• Pure maple syrup: Or you can substitute your own favorite sweetener such as brown sugar or agave nectar.
• Tamari: This adds some umami saltiness to the sauce. You could also substitute soy sauce or coconut aminos. But I use tamari for gluten-free.
• Fresh lemon juice: You'll need two tablespoons lemon juice, which is about a half lemon. Lime juice works great too.
• Garlic cloves: Either use one or two fresh minced garlic cloves depending on your preference. If you don't have fresh, you could try substituting garlic powder instead.
• Fresh ginger: Use as much or as little as you prefer. I often add a bit extra because I love the flavor.
• Hot water: This helps thin the sauce to your desired consistency.

Customizing

Make it spicy: Add some heat with red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili sauce, or sriracha sauce to taste.

Make it crunchy: For extra texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth. Or simply whisk in crushed peanuts to the mixture.

Other flavors: Use rice vinegar instead of lemon juice for acidity, or use coconut milk in place of water to thin.

Garnish: If serving this peanut sauce as a dip, feel free to garnish your bowl with crushed peanuts, thinly sliced green onions, or sesame seeds if desired.

Ways to Enjoy

Dipping sauce: With fresh veggie spring rolls, Crispy Baked Tofu, sliced cucumbers, carrots, or whatever else sounds good to dip!

Lettuce wraps: Drizzle it on these Cashew Tofu Lettuce Wraps or your own favorite.

Noodle dishes: Toss it on your favorite noodles like these Spring Roll Bowls or Easy Peanut Noodles.

Dressing & condiment: Thin it out with a little more water to create a flavorful salad dressing or condiment. I enjoy it on this Asian Kale & Tofu Salad or Asian-Style Chopped Salad. Or you can simply use it on your favorite lettuce & veggie salad blend.

Grain salads: Toss it with your Buddha bowls, rice bowls (I love this Tofu Rice Bowl), or Thai-Style Quinoa Salad.

On protein: Coat this flavorful Thai-style peanut sauce on your protein of choice like tempeh, vegan chicken, or Easy Baked Tofu.

Stir-fry: Enjoy it as a rich sauce with your stir-fry vegetables.

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container or sealed mason jar in the fridge. I find it keeps for about 4-5 days.

For more inspiration, also browse all sauce & seasoning recipes or ginger recipes.

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