Spicy Peanutbutter Sauce

Peanut butter sauce is a fantastic way to elevate dishes with a blend of salty, nutty, and spicy flavors. In this version, we use Japanese light soy sauce, which adds a more pronounced salty and fermented taste compared to the thicker, sweeter dark soy sauce. This light soy enhances the sauce’s umami, pairing beautifully with the creamy richness of peanut butter and the fiery kick of sambal oelek.

This sauce is incredibly versatile — you can adjust the consistency by adding more or less water, making it perfect for everything from a thick dip for veggies to a thinner drizzle for salads, wraps or a plate of rice and seitan or to dunk some tofu in.

The ginger and garlic round out the flavors, adding a fresh aromatic note to the savory base. It’s a simple sauce, but one that adds a big burst of flavor to any dish!

Check out the recipe below and bring this delicious sauce into your kitchen!

Spicy Peanutbutter Sauce

Recipe by Em

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (80g)

• 2 tbsp Japanese light soy sauce (30ml)

• 2-3 tbsp warm water (30-45ml)

• 1 tbsp sambal oelek (15g) or a freshly chopped chili fruit

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (5g)

• Optional: 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice (5ml)

Directions

• In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and soy sauce until fully combined and smooth.
• Gradually add warm water, a little at a time, whisking until you reach your desired consistency.
• Once the sauce is smooth, stir in the sambal oelek, garlic, and ginger.
• For an extra tangy kick, mix in rice vinegar or lime juice.
• Serve as a dip, dressing, or sauce for noodles, wraps, or stir-fried vegetables.

Notes

Peanut allergy?

Switch the Peanutbutter for tahini, check out our guide to tahini sauce here!