For an authentic satay sauce, try this easy Thai Satay Sauce recipe! While most Western versions of satay sauce are made with peanut butter, this one starts with real peanuts - and you'll taste the difference! At the same time, this is a very easy recipe to make - just throw everything into your blender or food processor and blitz. Satay sauce can be used for a variety of purposes, from a dip for chicken or beef satay to an Asian salad dressing or a dip for fresh rolls. Or use it to make a yummy cold noodle salad or as a marinade for grilled chicken or tofu (vegetarian instructions included). ENJOY!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: SERVES 4-6 as a Dip
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh-tasting dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
- 1/3 cup water
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp. dark soy sauce
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, depending on desired saltiness/flavor - Vegetarians substitute 1.5 -2.5 Tbsp. regular soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste OR 1/2 Tbsp. lime juice
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, OR 1 tsp. Thai chili sauce (more or less to taste)
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until sauce is smooth. If you prefer a runnier peanut sauce, add a little more water or coconut milk.
- Do a taste test, adding more fish sauce (or soy sauce) if not salty enough, or more cayenne if not spicy enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you'd prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with my Thai Chicken Satay, Thai Pork Satay, or Vegetarian/Vegan Thai Satay. It also makes a great dip with fresh veggies, fresh rolls, or other Asian finger foods. Or combine with noodles to create a Thai-style noodle dish or cold noodle salad. Enjoy!
Note: This sauce tends to thicken as it sits - just add a little water or coconut milk to thin it out, as needed. Otherwise it stores well if kept covered in the refrigerator (keep up to 2 weeks; freeze thereafter).
