Introducing my Peanut Salad Dressing — the dressing of my dreams. Made from a handful of simple pantry ingredients, this creamy peanut dressing is ready in 3 minutes and is sure to impress family and friends.
Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy
Table of Contents
- Why this recipe works
- Ingredients to make Peanut Salad Dressing
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to make Peanut Salad Dressing
- Leftovers
- Recipe FAQs
- You might also like
- Rate it…
- Peanut Salad Dressing Recipe
Why this recipe works
This Thai-inspired peanut dressing is rich, nutty, and versatile. It brightens summer salads, makes an excellent dip for fresh spring rolls, and also works warm over noodles, rice, quinoa or chickpeas in cooler months. The creamy peanut butter base balances sweet, salty and tangy notes for a quick vinaigrette-style sauce.
It’s incredibly simple: just mix a few pantry staples and you have a flavorful dressing in minutes. If you enjoy Thai flavours and peanut sauces, this one delivers without fuss.
This dressing pairs well with salads like tofu salad, chicken satay salad or cold noodle salads, and was inspired by a peanut butter noodles recipe.
Ingredients to make Peanut Salad Dressing
- Peanut Butter – crunchy or creamy, either works.
- Maple Syrup – a natural sweetener; honey or agave also work.
- Tamari – adds an Asian savory note; soy sauce or liquid aminos may be substituted.
- Sesame Oil – adds to the toasted, Asian profile.
- Juice from a Lime – provides bright acidity and balance.
- Onion Powder – adds a subtle savory depth.
- Garlic Powder – complements the other flavors.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Substitutions
- Nut butter: Swap peanut butter for almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or for allergy-friendly options.
- Sweetener: Use honey or agave instead of maple syrup; brown sugar can work if diluted into the mix.
- Sauce: Tamari can be replaced with soy sauce or liquid aminos—choose a gluten-free tamari if needed.
- Fresh garlic: If using fresh garlic instead of powder, mince it very finely to blend smoothly.
Variations
- Spicy: Add sriracha, chilli flakes or a dash of chili oil for heat.
- Deluxe: Dress a large green salad, grain bowl, or prawn or courgette salads. Add tofu, chicken or roasted vegetables for a heartier dish.
- Kid friendly: It’s already mild and creamy — use as a dip for veggies or wraps to introduce children to new flavors.
How to make Peanut Salad Dressing
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a jar or bowl and whisk or stir until completely smooth. Adjust texture with a little water if needed.
Hint: You can use an immersion blender or food processor for an ultra-smooth dressing.
Leftovers
Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Stir or shake well before using; the consistency may thicken as it chills, so thin with a splash of water, lime juice or a little extra tamari if necessary.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe is extremely simple: combine seven pantry ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth. It takes only minutes and yields a flavorful dressing.
Use it on chopped green salads, quinoa or chickpea salads, as a dip for vegetables or spring rolls, or as a sauce for noodle and grain bowls.
This creamy dressing uses peanut butter as the base, balanced with maple syrup, tamari, sesame oil, lime juice, onion powder and garlic powder for an Asian-inspired flavor.
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will keep for about a week.
You might also like
Salads
Cold Noodle Salad
Salads
Tofu Salad
Salads
Chicken Satay Salad
Dinner
Peanut Butter Noodles
Rate it…
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Peanut Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp peanut butter, I used crunchy
- 3 tbsp maple syrup, or honey
- 2 tbsp tamari, or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- ½ juice lime
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
-
Add all the ingredients into a jar or bowl and whisk or stir until a smooth dressing forms. Thin with water, lime juice or tamari if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Notes
Substitutions & Variations: See the list above for swaps and ideas.
To Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week. Stir well before use; add a little water to loosen if thickened.
To Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dressing.
Tip 1: Use crunchy or smooth peanut butter depending on your texture preference.
Tip 2: Add chilli flakes or sriracha for heat.
Tip 3: For a crunchy Thai chicken salad, combine this dressing with cooked chicken, cabbage, bell pepper and toasted peanuts; use tofu for a vegan version.
Nutrition
