Name: The Best 3-Ingredient Peanut Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (should be drippy for easy mixing); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon chili crisp or sriracha; 2-4 tablespoons water (optional, to thin the sauce)

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Introduction

This easy, flavorful peanut sauce is made with just three main ingredients and comes together in minutes. Perfect as a dip, dressing, or drizzle, it offers a creamy, savory, and slightly spicy taste that complements many dishes.

A white bowl filled with smooth, creamy orange sauce with tiny bubbles on its surface, placed on a round white plate on a wooden table. Next to the bowl, there is a copper-colored spoon resting on the wood, and a green and white checkered cloth partially covers the right side. At the top left corner, there is a partially visible jar of chili oil with a bright yellow and green label. The whole setting is on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup natural peanut butter (make sure it’s drippy)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili crisp or sriracha
2-4 tablespoons water (optional, to thin)

Instructions

Step 1: Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, and chili crisp or sriracha to a medium bowl.
Step 2: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 3: Taste the sauce and adjust as needed. Add water one tablespoon at a time to thin the sauce to your desired consistency, or add more chili crisp for extra spice.

Tips & Variations

Use crunchy peanut butter for texture or creamy for a smoother sauce.
Substitute tamari for soy sauce to make it gluten-free.
Try adding a squeeze of lime juice for a bright, tangy twist.
For a milder sauce, reduce or omit the chili crisp or sriracha.

Storage

Store leftover peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Re-whisk before serving. If the sauce thickens when chilled, stir in a small amount of water to loosen it.

How to Serve

A close-up shot of a white bowl filled with a smooth, creamy sauce that is light orange-brown in color, with tiny black specks dispersed throughout. A woman's hand is holding a spoon that is scooping some of the sauce, showing its thick, velvety texture. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface next to a green and white checkered cloth and a jar of chili onions in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this peanut sauce nut-free?

This sauce relies on peanut butter for its signature flavor, so replacing it with a nut-free seed butter like sunflower seed butter can work but will alter the taste.

How can I use this peanut sauce?

This versatile sauce is great as a dip for fresh vegetables or spring rolls, a dressing for salads or noodle bowls, or a drizzle over grilled meats and tofu.