This Thai peanut dipping sauce for spring rolls recipe has the perfect balance between salty, sweet, and spicy flavors! It not only goes great with fresh Vietnamese spring rolls but also pairs well with egg rolls, Filipino lumpia, Pad Thai, and more!
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This easy peanut sauce is one of my favorites! I whip some up whenever I make spring rolls. I especially love the spicy kick, but it can be tamed down if you prefer your food on the mild side.
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This peanut dipping sauce for spring rolls is super easy to make and so delicious!
- The sauce can be prepared ahead of time, so you have it on hand when you want to serve it.
- Leftover sauce can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.
- The spice level can be adjusted based on your personal preference!
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Peanut Butter: Use plain peanut butter, natural peanut butter, or low-sugar peanut butter. It's really up to you! Both creamy and crunchy peanut butter can be used in this recipe.
- Sesame Seed Oil: Sesame seed oil is a must and is non-negotiable. It adds a ton of flavor!
- Soy Sauce: I prefer to use low-sodium soy sauce, but in a pinch, regular soy sauce is fine, although you may want to leave out the salt.
- Vinegar: If you don't have rice wine vinegar, substitute fresh lime juice instead.
- Crushed Red Pepper: If you prefer mild peanut sauce, you can leave out the crushed red pepper.
- Garlic: You'll need one fresh garlic clove.
- Jam: One tablespoon of plum preserves.
*A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
🥜 How to Make Peanut Dipping Sauce
Step 1: Toast sesame seeds in a small pan over low heat until fragrant and golden in color.
Step 2: Pour water into a small bowl, then add peanut butter and whisk until creamy.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine.
Enjoy peanut dipping sauce with spring rolls, sliced veggies mixed with pasta, or thin it to make a creamy salad dressing to enjoy with this spring roll salad!
Pro Tip: Garnish with toasted peanuts before serving!
🥟 What Do You Eat With Peanut Sauce?
Served this peanut dipping sauce with chopped veggies, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and snap peas. It's also excellent with grilled meats. Jerk chicken and boneless skinless chicken thighs beg to be dipped in peanut sauce!
You can also mix this dipping sauce with cooked noodles to make pad thai or drizzle it over spicy peanut noodles! Finally, you can use this dipping sauce as a salad dressing to go with a chopped Asian salad.
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
The easiest way to dilute peanut dipping sauce is to whisk in one tablespoon of warm water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Another option is to use milk instead of water. Although regular milk would be acceptable, you might consider adding coconut milk instead. Coconut milk is a staple in Asian cooking, so it only makes sense, don't you think?
Homemade peanut dipping sauce thickens as it sits. However, if it doesn't thicken to your preference, add more peanut butter. Another option is to mix some tapioca with boiling water to dissolve it. Then stir into the peanut sauce to thicken.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- For a creamier flavor and texture, mix in ¼ cup of canned coconut milk.
- If you don't have jam, substitute 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
- For added crunch, substitute crunchy peanut butter for smooth.
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Method
- Toast sesame seeds in a small pan, over low heat, until fragrant and golden in color.
- Pour water into a small bowl, then add peanut butter and whisk until creamy.
- Add remaining ingredients and whisk to combine.
- Enjoy with spring rolls, sliced veggies, mixed with pasta, or thin to make a creamy salad dressing!
Nutrition
Notes
- Garnish with toasted peanuts before serving!
- For a creamier flavor and texture, mix in ¼ cup of canned coconut milk.
- If you don't have jam, substitute 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
- For added crunch, substitute crunchy peanut butter for smooth peanut butter.
Sarah R says
Too easy, and so good.
Hilda Sterner says
Well said!
Kelly Methey says
This peanut dipping sauce is so good! The flavor is fantastic and really enhances whatever it is used on. It was great with your spring roll recipe. Kinda sweet, kinda spicy, kinda salty, peanuty goodness that I could eat with a spoon! Yum!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Kelly! Enjoy!
Laura Morrison says
Great recipe! Great taste! Also Great dipping sauce for a variety of foods!!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you!
Kathy Fisher says
This recipe was super good today with spring rolls. YUM. I wasn't too sure I'd like it until the first taste and that's all it took. I piled it high on the spring roll - it was that good. You're gonna love this recipe. Perfect!
Hilda Sterner says
I agree you need that extra punch of flavor, especially when serving with something that's bland on its own, like spring rolls!