Thai Peanut Dressing

5 from 7 votes
9 Comments

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The Thai peanut dressing is zesty tangy and slightly sweet, the perfect topping to green salads, cold pasta salads, or a veggie dip. Such a versatile, delicious dressing!

Thai peanut dressing in a pouring container with salad a peanuts.
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Ingredients for Homemade Thai Peanut Dressing
  2. Making Peanut Sauce for the Thai Peanut Dressing
  3. Tips for Perfect Thia Peanut Dressing
  4. What to Serve with Creamy Thai Peanut Dressing
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Storing Easy Thai Peanut Sauce
  7. More Tantalizing Thai Recipes
  8. How to Make Thai Peanut Dressing
  9. Thai Peanut Dressing Recipe

Thai peanut dressing is going to be your salad’s new best friend. It is a delicious and tangy dressing that tastes amazing on green salads, cold pasta salads, or as a dip for veggies like carrot sticks, red bell pepper, and cucumbers. The Thai flavors, especially peanut sauce have all the flavor and deliciousness!

We are in love with this Thai peanut dressing! This dressing has just the right amount of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors combined. It is simple to make and easy to store in the refrigerator. Thai peanut dressing is a delicious and versatile sauce. The perfect dressing for when you are craving Thai flavors!

Ingredients for Homemade Thai Peanut Dressing

Customize and create the best Thai peanut dressing using these simple pantry staple ingredients! Make yourself a Thai section of ingredients in your fridge and pantry for these favorite ingredients to make Thai recipes often. It is the perfect combination!

  • Mayonnaise – Thicken the Thai peanut dressing recipe with mayo and add creaminess to the texture. Stir in mayonnaise for a thick and creamy dressing.
  • Milk – Traditional Thai peanut dressing does not include milk. With this recipe, you can use milk or coconut milk for a creamy base.
  • Peanut sauce – This functions as the base of the dressing and the key ingredient. Use either store-bought or our homemade peanut sauce recipe. It is flavorful and simple to make.
  • Rice vinegar – Has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor. It will balance out the flavors from the milk and mayo with the peanut butter sauce.
  • Honey – Add a little sweetness to the savory and tangy flavors with honey. You can also use maple syrup or agave if you prefer.
  • Fresh cilantro – Chop up cilantro into small pieces and garnish with them over the poured dressing.
  • Peanuts – Crush raw roasted peanuts or chopped peanuts are a great addition to add to the Thai peanut dressing. Makes the dressing slightly crunchy with tasty bites over your salad.
Thai peanut dressing ingredients.


Making Peanut Sauce for the Thai Peanut Dressing

One of the most important ingredients in this dressing is the peanut sauce. It is spicy and sweet, a delicious blend of peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, water, sriracha, and lime juice. It is thicker than a dressing and is normally served as a dip for spring rolls and lettuce wraps.

Other ingredients sometimes found in Thai peanut sauce include ginger, tamari which is a gluten-free soy sauce substitute, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and sesame oil. The peanut sauce has a rich, nutty flavor that has a creamy texture that is smooth and thick pouring. It is the perfect combination to dip, marinate, or pour for salads and noodles.

Thai peanut dressing in a pouring container.

Tips for Perfect Thia Peanut Dressing

Make it simple by using these helpful tips when blending the peanut dressing together. It combines easily and effortlessly with these few steps. Feel free to use these tips and suggestions when making Thai peanut salad dressing!

  • Quality ingredients – Use high-quality ingredients when making this Thai-inspired peanut dressing. The flavoring will be much better!
  • Consistency – Create a personal peanut dressing consistency by making it thicker or thinner depending on your preference. Add a bit more water to thin it out.
  • Blender – I made this dressing in my Blendtec blender, which makes it creamy and smooth, but you can use any blender or food processor you have. Or just whisk by hand in a large bowl!
  • Herbs – Fresh cilantro gives this dressing a fresh, herb flavor that I love! If you are not a fan of cilantro feel free to omit this ingredient. On the flip side, you can add up to a quarter cup of diced cilantro for more of that unique flavor.
  • Thinner dressing – Make the dressing thinner with a tablespoon of milk at a time until it is the desired consistency.
  • Spice – For a spicier dressing, add a dash or two of extra sriracha.
  • Green onions – This dressing would also be delicious with chopped green onions.
Thai peanut dressing over a veggie salad.

What to Serve with Creamy Thai Peanut Dressing

The options are endless with this Thai peanut dressing recipe! Add it as a topping, dipping sauce, or salad dressing. You can use this dressing on just about anything!

  • Satay – Grilled chicken or steak that is cooked on a wooden skewer is known as a satay. They are small and can be used as a side dish or an appetizer. Dip your grilled chicken or steak in the Thai peanut dressing for the best results!
  • Spring rolls – Use the Thai peanut dressing for dipping or even drizzling it over the spring rolls.
  • Chicken – Marinate the chicken before grilling it with this homemade Thai peanut dressing.
  • Stir-fry – Toss the peanut dressing over the stir-fry with veggies and meat.
  • Rice bowl – Drizzle the dressing overtop the bowl and stir it together. It adds that sweet and savory combination.
  • Salads – Use this dressing on a broccoli Asian slaw mix with some nuts and raisins mixed in. Regular garden salads or Asian-inspired salads are perfect for using this Thai peanut dressing recipe.
  • Fish – Marinate or cook the fish in the dressing. Then serve it with extra dressing on the side.
  • Dipping sauces – Grab a small bowl and add Thai peanut dressing to the dish. This is great for dipping vegetables, crackers, or even fries into the sauce.

“This dressing was so easy to make!! I tossed it with a cold noodle salad and it was absolutely delicious!”

-Anjali
Overhead view of Thai peanut dressing in a pouring container.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thai peanut dressing made of?

This dressing is made of peanut sauce, mayo, milk, rice vinegar, honey, cilantro, and peanuts.

What does Thai peanut dressing taste like?

Thai dressing is tangy, sweet, and a little salty from the peanuts. It is delicious!

What if I am allergic to nuts?

No worries you can replace the peanut butter and peanuts with almond butter and almonds for the peanut sauce.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

If you prefer more texture in your dressing, then crunchy peanut butter will work well for your recipe.

Is there a substitute for soy sauce?

Another popular Thai ingredient is tamari or coconut aminos. Both of these ingredients will replace soy sauce if needed. They are both gluten-free too!

Can I make it less spicy?

Our version of Thai peanut dressing doesn’t have a spicy flavor. You are welcome to add a little heat with red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce.

What can I use if I don’t have rice vinegar?

White wine or apple cider are both great substitutions for rice vinegar. This may alter the taste of the Thai peanut dressing though.

Storing Easy Thai Peanut Sauce

Storing and leaving in the refrigerator is the best way to make Thai peanut sauce. Make it ahead, store it in a jar or dressing container, and use it as often as you like! This Thai peanut dressing is one that you will want to make over and over again!

  • Make ahead – Thai peanut dressing is easy to make ahead of time. It stores well and sitting in the refrigerator will allow the flavors and ingredients to meld together. Stir before using!
  • Leftovers – Store leftovers in an airtight container like a mason jar or bottle in the fridge.
  • Label – Make sure to label your airtight containers or jars when putting them in the refrigerator. This will help you ensure the freshness the longest.
  • Separating – It is normal for the ingredients to separate in the jar or container over a period of time. Simply shake or stir the dressing before each use. This will help blend the dressing back together.

Read Next: 35+ Easy Lunch Ideas (Quick, Easy & Healthy)

More Tantalizing Thai Recipes

When Thai cravings strike, reach for some of these deliciously savory and sweet recipes and create a feast for your family! They are simple to make with authentic flavors and deliciousness in every bite!

How to Make Thai Peanut Dressing

Thai peanut dressing in a pouring container with salad a peanuts

Thai Peanut Dressing

5 from 7 votes
The Thai peanut dressing is zesty tangy and slightly sweet, the perfect topping to green salads, cold pasta salads, or a veggie dip. Such a versatile, delicious dressing!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Dressing
Cuisine Thai
Servings 8

Video

Equipment

  • Blendtec Blender

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup peanut sauce
  • 2 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tablespoon unsalted peanuts

Instructions

  • In a blender, mix together everything but the cilantro and peanuts until thoroughly combined.
    Thai peanut dressing ingredients in a blender
  • Then add the cilantro and peanuts and pulse just a few times. Keep refrigerated.
    Thai peanut dressing ingredients in a blender plus cilantro and peanuts
  • Serve over green salads, and pasta salads, or use as a vegetable dip.
    Wide angle view of Thai peanut dressing in a pouring container

Notes

    • I made this dressing in my Blendtec blender, which makes it creamy and smooth, but you can use any blender or food processor you have. Or just whisk by hand in a large bowl!
    • Fresh cilantro gives this dressing a fresh, herb flavor that I love! If you’re not a fan of cilantro feel free to omit this ingredient. On the flip side, you can add up to a quarter cup of diced cilantro for more of that unique flavor.
    • Make the dressing thinner with a tablespoon of milk at a time until it’s the desired consistency.
    • For a spicier dressing, add a dash or two of extra sriracha.
    • This dressing would also be delicious with chopped green onions.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 2gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 297mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 155IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.2mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Southern Utah University and Ricks College

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love to use a blender but find it quite easy to mix by hand, too. Fabulous choice of ingredients, especially if you don’t leave cilantro out. And great tip on adding sriracha – that should make things spicy!

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