Creamy, nutty, tangy, and a touch spicy—this homemade peanut sauce is a total flavor bomb. Whether you’re dipping spring rolls, tossing it with noodles, or spooning it over grilled chicken, this versatile sauce brings instant umami to any dish. It’s made with pantry staples and takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

What makes this peanut sauce truly irresistible is its balance: the saltiness of peanut butter, the acidity from lime, a hit of sweetness, and that warm heat from chili flakes or sriracha. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll find yourself making again and again.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?
Natural creamy peanut butter is ideal for this recipe. It blends smoothly and delivers that deep roasted flavor. Avoid those with added sugar or hydrogenated oils—we’re going for pure peanut goodness here. If you only have chunky peanut butter, that can work too, just expect a more textured finish.
Ingredients for the Homemade Peanut Sauce
- Peanut Butter: The heart of the recipe—smooth, rich, and packed with nutty flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Adds savory depth and saltiness.
- Lime Juice: Brightens the sauce with zesty acidity.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: A touch of natural sweetness to balance the savory and tangy elements.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for punchy aromatics.
- Ginger: Adds warmth and complexity.
- Chili Flakes or Sriracha: Optional, but essential for those who love a spicy kick.
- Warm Water: Thins the sauce to your desired consistency.
How To Make the Homemade Peanut Sauce
Step 1: Whisk the Base Ingredients
In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and maple syrup. Whisk until a thick paste forms.
Step 2: Flavor Boost
Add in the minced garlic and grated ginger. These aromatics build depth and fragrance into the sauce.
Step 3: Spice It Up
If you’re using chili flakes or sriracha, whisk it in here. Start with a little and adjust to taste.
Step 4: Adjust the Consistency
Add warm water a tablespoon at a time while whisking. The sauce will go from thick and clumpy to smooth and pourable. Stop once it reaches your perfect texture—ideal for drizzling or dipping.

How to Store and Serve This Homemade Peanut Sauce
Store the sauce in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. It will thicken as it chills, so simply stir in a splash of warm water or lime juice to loosen it before serving again.
This sauce is amazing as a dip for fresh veggies or spring rolls, drizzled over grain bowls, tossed with noodles, or even as a dressing for salads.
What to Serve With Homemade Peanut Sauce?
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Perfectly juicy grilled meat meets the creamy richness of peanut sauce.
Spring Rolls
Fresh, crunchy veggies rolled in rice paper dipped in this sauce? A dream.
Rice Noodles
Toss it with noodles and add fresh herbs for an easy Thai-inspired dish.
Buddha Bowls
Use it as a dressing over rice, roasted veggies, and protein for a hearty bowl.
Stir-Fried Veggies
A quick sauté of broccoli, peppers, and carrots gets elevated with a drizzle.
Tofu or Tempeh
Pan-seared or baked, plant proteins soak up this sauce beautifully.
Lettuce Wraps
Add crunch and creaminess with a drizzle of peanut sauce inside your wraps.
Want More Sauce & Dip Ideas?
If you love this peanut sauce, you’ll probably enjoy these other flavor-packed recipes:
- Cream Cheese Olive Spread for a tangy, briny delight.
- Green Olive Dip with sharp and zesty Mediterranean flair.
- Creamy Spicy Rotel Dip for cheesy, spicy comfort food.
- The Ultimate Spicy Ranch Taco Dip when you’re craving bold Tex-Mex flavors.
- Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly for a fun and savory twist.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest board for sauces or dips so it’s always just a click away.
Have you made your own tweaks to the spice level or sweetness? Maybe tried it with almond butter instead? Let us know in the comments!
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and more dips on ChefAlchemy’s Recipes and discover your new go-to for flavor and feel-good meals.
Homemade Peanut Sauce
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 3/4 cup
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ready in under 10 minutes, this homemade peanut sauce is a flavor-packed essential that works as a dip, dressing, or noodle topper. Creamy peanut butter blends with soy sauce, lime juice, and a hint of sweetness to create a rich and tangy sauce perfect for spring rolls, grilled chicken, or stir-fried veggies. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack, easy dinner idea, or versatile sauce to upgrade your weekly food ideas, this easy recipe has you covered.
Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
2–4 tablespoons warm water (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
1. Add peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and maple syrup to a medium bowl. Whisk until thick.
2. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger.
3. Add chili flakes or sriracha if using, and mix to combine.
4. Gradually whisk in warm water until sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Notes
Use natural creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture and purest flavor.
If sauce thickens in the fridge, stir in a bit of warm water or lime juice to loosen it up.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce/Dip
- Method: Whisking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: peanut sauce, easy recipe, dipping sauce, quick lunch, healthy snack, food ideas
