Thai Peanut Dressing

This simple and delicious Thai peanut dressing is perfect for salads, chicken, Buddha bowls, and more. Made with just a few ingredients, it’s easy to whip up and adds a burst of flavor to any dish.

about this thai peanut dressing

The only surefire way to get me to eat a salad is if the dressing is good. Not just passable. It needs to be the type of dressing that I want to put on everything from salad to meats to licking it straight off the spoon.

Essentially I need it to make me crave vegetables.

This Thai peanut dressing is exactly that vibe. It’s creamy and tangy, with a little kick at the end.

I started making this dressing when I got tired of the same old boring vinaigrettes. Now it’s on a constant rotation in our refrigerator! Of course, you can use this stuff on pretty much anything.

Salads? Obviously. But try it as a dip for spring rolls, drizzled over some grilled chicken, or even as a sauce for noodles.

Look, I’m not saying this dressing will solve all your problems or anything. But it might just make your lunch breaks a little less boring. And hey, that’s something, right?

ingredients

ginger. Ginger paste brings a zesty flavor with a little bite. You can use store bought ginger paste or make your own by grating a peeled knob of ginger.

garlic. You can use either pre-minced garlic or whole garlic cloves!

peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter is best for this recipe. Use your favorite peanut butter brand.

lime. Fresh lime juice is key for the best flavor in this recipe!

soy sauce. We like to use low sodium soy sauce, but you can use regular soy sauce if you prefer. You can also use coconut aminos to make this recipe gluten-free.

honey. Honey is our preferred sweetener for its flavor. Maple syrup or agave nectar can also be used.

sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil gives an added layer of nutty depth to the dressing.

vinegar. Red wine vinegar has a wonderful sharp flavor to balance out the rich and savory ingredients in this recipe. You can also use rice vinegar.

Sriracha. Use Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce to give a touch of heat to the dressing.

salt and pepper. Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper to season the recipe to taste.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this recipe, you will need measuring cups and measuring spoons for prepping the ingredients.

A high-speed blender, like a Vitamix, makes it easy to whip up this dressing in just a minute or so! You can also use a food processor.

here’s how to make thai peanut dressing

blend

Combine grated ginger, garlic, peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, honey (or other sweetener of choice), sesame oil, vinegar, Sriracha and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Taste and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

store

Use the dressing immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

variations

make it spicier. Add more Sriracha to make the peanut dressing spicier, if desired. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

make it thicker. To make it a thicker dressing, you can add in another 2 to 3 Tablespoons of peanut butter.

don’t forget to season to taste! Once the dressing is made, taste it so you can season it as desired with salt and pepper.

More tasty sauces to try out: Garlic Aioli | Chipotle Aioli | Bang Bang Sauce | Roasted Garlic Aioli | Caesar Dressing

can I use a different nut butter other than peanut butter?

You can easily turn this thai peanut sauce into another nutty sauce by using a different nut butter, like almond butter or cashew butter. The flavor will obviously be different, but it still tastes good with other nut variations!

is there a way to make this dressing vegan?

To make this dressing vegan, all you need to do is swap out the honey for another sweetener like agave nectar or maple syrup. Note that this will mildly alter the flavor, so taste the dressing after it is blended and adjust as desired.

how long will this dressing last?

This dressing will last up to 4 days in the fridge! Be sure to store it properly in an airtight container or a mason jar.

Need more inspiration for a sweet treat? Check out my dessert recipes page!

how to use Thai peanut dressing

This dressing is super versatile! You can enjoy it in so many ways, and not just as a salad dressing. Here are some ideas for trying out this recipe:

• Use as a salad dressing on your favorite salads!
• Dip Vietnamese spring rolls, egg rolls, wontons and more in the dressing as a dipping sauce.
• Drizzle it on sandwiches to incorporate some peanut Thai flavor.
• Use it on a pasta salad for a Thai-inspired twist!
• Drizzle it on your favorite grilled protein. We like to use it with chicken, but you can also use it with steak or tofu.

how to store

Store. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

more thai-inspired recipes to try

Thai shrimp noodle soup is a red curry tomato based soup that’s light, while also being hearty.

My favorite Thai-inspired appetizer has to be these Thai turkey egg rolls! Crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside. You can even pair them with this dressing as a dip!

Bring that peanut flavor to your side dish with a crunchy thai pasta salad that’s loaded with veggies.

Finally, if you make this Thai peanut salad dressing recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

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