Vegan Peanut Sauce Recipe for Easy and Delicious Meals

Updated On: September 30, 2025

Peanut sauce is a versatile and delicious condiment that adds a rich, nutty flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether drizzled over fresh spring rolls, tossed with noodles, or used as a dipping sauce, this vegan peanut sauce recipe is a must-have in your culinary repertoire.

What makes it truly special is how simple it is to prepare, using wholesome plant-based ingredients that come together to create a creamy, slightly tangy, and satisfyingly savory sauce. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness and a touch of spice, this sauce will elevate any meal without any animal products.

Plus, it’s incredibly quick to whip up, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous entertaining.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through all the ingredients and equipment you need, step-by-step instructions, and some creative tips and variations to customize your peanut sauce. For those interested in exploring more plant-based recipes, be sure to check out our Asian Vegan Recipes for Delicious and Healthy Meals to find more exciting dishes that pair wonderfully with this sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan peanut sauce is a crowd-pleaser because it’s:

  • Easy and quick to prepare: Ready in under 10 minutes with no cooking required.
  • Rich and creamy: Made with natural peanut butter and coconut milk for a luscious texture.
  • Customizable: Adjust the heat, sweetness, or tanginess to suit your taste.
  • Versatile: Perfect as a dip, dressing, or sauce for noodles, veggies, tofu, and more.
  • Vegan and allergy-friendly: Completely plant-based and gluten-free if you use tamari instead of soy sauce.

If you’re inspired by flavorful vegan sauces, you might also enjoy our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes or the Lipton Vegetable Dip Recipe: Easy Party Favorite.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky) ½ cup
Coconut milk (full-fat for creaminess) ½ cup
Soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free) 2 tablespoons
Maple syrup or agave nectar 1 tablespoon
Rice vinegar 1 tablespoon
Fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon
Garlic, minced 1 clove
Fresh ginger, grated 1 teaspoon
Red chili flakes or sriracha (optional for heat) ¼ teaspoon or to taste
Warm water 2-4 tablespoons (to thin sauce as needed)

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl – to combine ingredients.
  • Whisk or fork – for blending the sauce smoothly.
  • Measuring spoons and cups – for precise ingredient amounts.
  • Grater or microplane – to grate fresh ginger.
  • Juicer or citrus squeezer (optional) – to extract lime juice.

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Mince the garlic and grate the fresh ginger. Juice the lime.
  2. Combine the base: In a mixing bowl, add ½ cup peanut butter and ½ cup full-fat coconut milk. Stir together until smooth and creamy.
  3. Add flavor enhancers: Mix in 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari), 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice.
  4. Incorporate aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the bowl. Stir well to distribute evenly.
  5. Adjust heat level: If you like spice, stir in ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes or a small squirt of sriracha. Taste and add more if preferred.
  6. Thin the sauce: Gradually whisk in 2-4 tablespoons of warm water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. It should be pourable but still creamy.
  7. Final taste check: Taste the sauce and adjust sweetness, acidity, or saltiness as needed by adding more maple syrup, lime juice, or soy sauce.
  8. Serve immediately or store: Use the sauce right away or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Stir well before each use.

Tips & Variations

“For a nut-free alternative, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini, and adjust the flavor with extra lime juice.”

Customize Your Sauce: This recipe is a fantastic base, but feel free to tweak it. Add a splash of sesame oil for a toasty aroma or a teaspoon of grated fresh turmeric for an anti-inflammatory boost.

For a sweeter sauce, increase the maple syrup slightly.

Make It Chunky: Use chunky peanut butter and skip whisking it completely smooth for a bit of texture.

Spice it Up: Add finely chopped fresh chili or a dash of cayenne pepper if you want a bolder heat profile.

Use Alternative Sweeteners: Agave nectar or coconut sugar work well if you prefer different natural sweeteners.

For more creative vegan sauces and dips, explore our Lipton Vegetable Dip Recipe: Easy Party Favorite or the Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per 2 tbsp serving
Calories 120 kcal
Fat 10 g
Saturated Fat 3.5 g
Carbohydrates 6 g
Sugar 3.5 g
Protein 4 g
Sodium 350 mg
Fiber 1.5 g

These values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used. This sauce provides a good source of plant-based protein and healthy fats, making it a nourishing addition to your meals.

Serving Suggestions

This vegan peanut sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide array of dishes:

  • Drizzle over rice noodles or soba noodles for a quick, flavorful meal.
  • Use as a dipping sauce for fresh spring rolls, steamed dumplings, or crispy tofu bites.
  • Toss with roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or snap peas for an easy side dish.
  • Spread it on wraps or sandwiches to add a creamy, savory kick.
  • Use as a salad dressing for crunchy Asian-inspired salads with cabbage, carrots, and cilantro.

Looking for more plant-based meal ideas to enjoy with this sauce? Check out our Vegetarian Tex Mex Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners or Slow Cooker Recipes Vegan Easy Meals for Busy Weeknight for delicious inspiration.

Conclusion

This vegan peanut sauce recipe is a simple yet flavorful addition to your kitchen arsenal. Its creamy texture, balanced tang, sweet undertones, and subtle heat make it a perfect complement to a variety of dishes.

Whether you’re new to plant-based cooking or a seasoned vegan chef, this sauce is easy to make, adaptable, and sure to impress.

Peanut sauce is more than just a condiment; it’s a way to bring warmth and richness to your meals without relying on dairy or animal products. Plus, it stores well in the fridge, so you can prepare it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.

If you love this recipe, don’t forget to explore other delicious vegan dishes on our blog, like the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious or the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Peanut Sauce Recipe

Description: A creamy and flavorful peanut sauce perfect for drizzling over salads, noodles, or grilled veggies. This easy-to-make sauce combines rich peanut butter with tangy lime and soy sauce.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT0M
Total Time: PT10M

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, and lime juice.
  2. Add grated ginger and minced garlic to the mixture.
  3. Slowly whisk in warm water until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
  4. Stir in sesame oil and red pepper flakes if using.
  5. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  6. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition: Calories: 120 kcal | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 9 g | Carbs: 6 g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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