This Trader Joe’s Peanut Sauce Recipe is a creamy and savory-sweet sauce, which is made with natural peanut butter and low sodium soy sauce. It’s a versatile dipping sauce, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Peanut Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
How To Make Trader Joe’s Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk or shake all the ingredients (peanut butter, ginger, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and optional red pepper flakes) together until smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and whisk or shake again. Continue to add more hot water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency for dipping, drizzling, or as a dressing.
- Serve or Store: The sauce can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Tips
- How do I make this sauce gluten-free? To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free low sodium soy sauce or substitute it with liquid aminos or tamari.
- How do I get the smoothest consistency? If your natural peanut butter is very thick, microwave it for about 15 seconds to soften it before mixing. For an ultra-smooth sauce, you can blend all the ingredients in a small blender or food processor.
- Can I make this sauce spicier? Yes, the recipe includes optional crushed red pepper flakes for some heat. You can also add a small squirt of sriracha for a different kind of spice.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. This sauce is perfect for making ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It may thicken when chilled, so you might need to stir in a little warm water to thin it out before serving.
What To Serve With This Peanut Sauce
This versatile sauce is a fantastic accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes.
- As a dip: for fresh spring rolls, chicken or beef satay, or raw vegetables.
- As a dressing: thin it out with a little extra water and toss it with a noodle salad or a slaw.
- As a sauce: drizzle it over grilled chicken, tofu, or a grain bowl with roasted vegetables.
How To Store Peanut Sauce
- Refrigerate: Store the sauce in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to one week. Stir or shake well before each use, as some separation is natural.
Trader Joe’s Peanut Sauce Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
As the recipe notes mention, Thai Peanut Sauce is a creamy, savory-sweet sauce often made with roasted peanuts, soy sauce, and aromatics. It’s a staple in Thai cuisine, famous for its balanced flavor and versatility.
Natural peanut butter (with just peanuts and salt as ingredients) works best because it has a runnier consistency and no added sugars. If you use conventional peanut butter, you may need more hot water to thin the sauce and you might want to reduce the maple syrup.
Yes, as written, all the ingredients in this recipe are vegan, making it a great plant-based option.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Dragon Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Peanut Sauce Recipe
Course: SauceCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes120
kcalA quick, creamy, and versatile peanut sauce with a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, ideal for dipping, drizzling, or as a dressing.
Ingredients
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for GF)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2-4 tbsp hot water
Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Directions
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, ginger, maple syrup, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Add 2 tablespoons of hot water and whisk until smooth.
- Continue adding hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a perfectly smooth sauce, soften thick peanut butter in the microwave for 15 seconds before mixing.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools; thin with a little warm water before serving leftovers
