Peanut Stir Fry Sauce

This 6-ingredient, 5-minute peanut sauce is perfect for stir fries, as a dipping sauce, or as a dressing on grain bowls! It uses pantry staples and is easy to customize.

I use this peanut sauce so often in cooking that I decided it needs its own page. It's basically the same sauce used in my spicy peanut sauce noodles recipe, and it's very similar to the dipping sauce I use with spring roll bowls.

Read on for recommended ingredients, substitutes, and tips. If you're looking for a peanut-free stir fry sauce, check out my vegetarian stir fry sauce recipe.

Recipe features

• Quick & easy: Ready in just 5 minutes using pantry staples.
• Flavors: Salty, savory, and pourable with a hint of spice.
• Easy to customize: Can be made using natural or regular peanut butter and smooth or chunky peanut butter. Also includes options for spicy peanut sauce or regular peanut sauce.
• Versatile: Great as a dipping sauce, stir fry sauce, or as a dressing on quinoa salad.

Ingredients

• Peanut butter: I usually use natural creamy peanut butter, but any kind of peanut butter works with a few modifications. See the sections below for tips.
• Soy sauce: I prefer using reduced-sodium soy sauce in sauces because the saltiness from soy sauce can really overpower the sauce. If you only have or just prefer using regular soy sauce, just start with a smaller amount (2 tablespoons) and adjust to taste.
• Rice vinegar: This adds a little bit of acidity. If you don't have rice vinegar, white vinegar or lime juice are the best substitutes.
• Toasted sesame oil: A little bit goes a long way with this ingredient. This adds a rich, toasty flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic chili sauce: This adds garlic and a little bit of heat. I use Huy Fong brand, which isn't super spicy. Do note that spiciness varies very widely by brand, so I recommend adding this ingredient to taste if using a different brand.
• Water: Add to thin the sauce to desired consistency. Vegetable broth is also a great option, but I only use it when I already have a box open.

Natural vs regular peanut butter

Peanut butter consistency varies widely from brand to brand.

Natural peanut butter tends to be smoother and more liquidy, especially if kept at room temperature. It usually just includes peanuts and salt as the ingredients.

Regular peanut butter, which often includes additional additives to prevent separation, tends to be thicker. It may also include sugar and salt.

The verdict? Add water or vegetable broth to the peanut sauce to thin to desired consistency. I usually don't need to add any water when using natural peanut butter. Regular peanut butter is thicker and may be more difficult to stir at first.

Creamy vs. chunky peanut butter

There isn't a huge difference between the volume/consistency of creamy and chunky peanut butter. They are generally interchangeable in savory recipes.

Chunky peanut butter yields a chunky peanut sauce because of the chopped nuts. If this is fine with you, then it's fine with me!

How to make

I like to use pint-sized mason jars and mini whisks to make sauces like this.

To make this stir fry peanut sauce, simply whisk together all ingredients in a small jar or bowl. I recommend starting with just 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and adjusting to taste to avoid over-salting the sauce.

Add water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin the sauce to desired consistency. I aim for a smooth, pourable consistency similar to salad dressings.

Tips and variations

• If using this sauce in a stir-fry, wait to add it to the pan until the very end of cooking. Toss the sauce with noodles/rice/veggies/etc. and let warm in the pan for just 1-2 minutes.
• Saltiness: I prefer using reduced sodium soy sauce in peanut sauce. This contributes the same depth as regular soy sauce but cuts back on the overall saltiness.
• Spiciness: Garlic chili sauce can add a lot of spice, depending on the brand used. For extra spice, try adding 1 tablespoon (or more!) sriracha or red chili flakes.
• Doubling the recipe: This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, cut in half, etc.
• Using other nut butters: Any variety of nut butter works, but of course the flavors will vary. I use a similar recipe to make my almond butter stir fry.
• Nut-free option: Try sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free option.
• Gluten-free option: Use an equal amount of tamari for a gluten-free peanut stir fry sauce. Coconut aminos also work, but add a touch of sweetness to the sauce.

Storage

• Keep leftover peanut sauce refrigerated in a closed container. It is best within a week.
• Peanut sauce/peanut butter thickens when refrigerated. To thin, let rest at room temperature or whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of water.
• Freezing: Peanut sauce freezes well. Freeze in an air-tight freezer container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

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