A rich, creamy, lightly spicy Thai-inspired peanut sauce that delivers the perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, heat, and nutty texture. This crunchy version elevates everything it touches — from salad rolls to stir-fries — with added depth and satisfying texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crunchy Thai Peanut Sauce is incredibly versatile, quick to prepare, and deeply flavorful. The combination of crunchy peanut butter, fresh garlic, ginger, honey, and chili garlic sauce creates a harmonious blend that works beautifully as a dip, dressing, or stir-fry sauce. It requires no cooking, comes together in minutes, and tastes far more vibrant than anything store-bought.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Prep the aromatics
Finely mince the garlic and grate the fresh ginger. Make sure the ginger is peeled before grating.
Combine the sauce ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the crunchy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
Whisk until smooth
Mix thoroughly until the sauce becomes smooth, cohesive, and creamy with bits of peanut remaining for texture.
Adjust if needed
If the sauce is too thick, add a small splash of warm water (1–2 teaspoons at a time) until it reaches your desired consistency.
Servings and timing
Servings: 2–3
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: 10–15 minutes
Variations
Extra Creamy Version
Swap half of the crunchy peanut butter with smooth peanut butter for a silkier texture while keeping some crunch.
Spicier Version
Increase the chili garlic sauce or add a pinch of crushed red pepper.
Citrus Twist
Add 1–2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice for brightness.
Herb-Infused
Stir in finely chopped cilantro for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Coconut Peanut Sauce
Whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of coconut milk for richness and a Thai-inspired flavor shift.
Storage/Reheating
Store the peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If it thickens after chilling, whisk in a teaspoon or two of warm water to loosen it.
This sauce does not require reheating, but you may warm it gently in a microwave for a few seconds if you prefer a softer consistency.
FAQs
How can I thin the sauce if it becomes too thick?
Add warm water 1–2 teaspoons at a time, whisking until it reaches the desired consistency.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, it stores well in the fridge for several days and the flavors actually deepen over time.
Is crunchy peanut butter necessary?
Crunchy peanut butter provides great texture, but you may use smooth peanut butter if you prefer a creamier sauce.
Can I make it less spicy?
Reduce the chili garlic sauce to 1 teaspoon or omit it entirely for a mild version.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, maple syrup works well and adds a slightly different sweetness profile.
Is this sauce gluten-free?
Use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the recipe gluten-free.
Can I freeze the peanut sauce?
Peanut sauce can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and whisk to restore consistency.
What can I serve this peanut sauce with?
It pairs beautifully with salad rolls, grilled chicken, noodles, vegetables, and grain bowls.
Can I make this without garlic?
Yes, omit the garlic if needed; the sauce will be milder but still flavorful.
Why did my sauce separate?
Separation can happen if ingredients aren’t fully whisked. Simply whisk again until smooth.
Conclusion
This Crunchy Thai Peanut Sauce is a quick, flavorful, and versatile staple you’ll want to keep in your kitchen year-round. Whether used as a dip for fresh rolls, a topping for noodles, or a bold dressing for salads, it transforms simple dishes into something vibrant and memorable with minimal effort. Enjoy crafting your own homemade version and make it part of your go-to toolkit for easy, flavorful meals.
This Crunchy Thai Peanut Sauce is rich, creamy, and packed with bold Thai-inspired flavors. Made with crunchy peanut butter, garlic, ginger, honey, and chili garlic sauce, it’s the perfect no-cook condiment for dipping, dressing, or drizzling.
Ingredients
⅓ cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
2 heaping teaspoons chili garlic sauce
1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic (from 3–4 cloves)
¼ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Instructions
Finely mince the garlic and grate the peeled fresh ginger.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the crunchy peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and cohesive, with crunchy texture remaining from the peanut butter.
If the sauce is too thick, whisk in warm water 1–2 teaspoons at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Notes
Use half smooth peanut butter for a creamier version with some crunch.
Add lime juice for brightness or coconut milk for richness.
Stir in chopped cilantro for a fresh herbaceous twist.
To reduce spice, use less chili garlic sauce or omit entirely.
If chilled and thickened, whisk with warm water to loosen.
