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The Only Peanut Sauce Recipe Youll Ever Need – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

The Only Peanut Sauce Recipe You'll Ever Need

An addictively delicious, Thai-inspired peanut sauce that's quick, versatile, and strikes the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, savory, and tangy. Perfect for noodles, tofu, or as a dip.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 115

Ingredients
  

  • 3 hot fresh red chiles, seeded, or cayenne flakes to taste
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 shallots, peeled
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons (4 g / 0.14 oz) ground turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) peanut or neutral oil
  • 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g / 0.53 oz) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 cup (70 g / 2.47 oz) chopped roasted peanuts or crunchy peanut butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Pro-Tips for Perfect Peanut Sauce
  • For an ultra-creamy, perfectly smooth sauce, use an equal amount of crunchy or smooth peanut butter instead of the chopped roasted peanuts.
  • To create a Curry Peanut Sauce, omit the chiles, lemongrass, and turmeric. Instead, blend a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger and 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) of curry powder with the shallots and garlic.
  • For a lighter version, substitute the coconut milk with an equal amount of vegetable stock. This will reduce the fat and calorie content while maintaining great flavor.
  • For a sweeter, Indonesian-inspired flavor profile, add 1/4 cup (960 ml) of ketchup to the sauce along with the coconut milk.

Method
 

  1. In a food processor, combine the chiles, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and turmeric. Pulse until a fairly smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed. 2.
  2. Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the oil.
  3. Once hot, add the chili-garlic paste and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. 3.
  4. Add the coconut milk, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, and chopped peanuts (or peanut butter) to the saucepan.
  5. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth. 4.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. 5.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a pinch of salt or a splash more soy sauce if necessary.
  8. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 10g

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