This sauce comes together quickly with pantry-friendly ingredients and delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s incredibly versatile, customizable to your preferred level of sweetness or spice, and pairs beautifully with both fresh and cooked dishes. Once you make it from scratch, it’s hard to go back to store-bought versions.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Creamy peanut butter Hoisin sauce Soy sauce or fish sauce Garlic, minced Rice vinegar or lime juice Brown sugar Water or coconut milk Chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes
Directions
In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce or fish sauce, garlic, and brown sugar.
Place over medium-low heat and stir constantly until smooth and heated through.
Add rice vinegar or lime juice and stir to combine.
Gradually whisk in water or coconut milk until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes if using.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sweetness, saltiness, or acidity as needed.
Remove from heat and serve warm or at room temperature.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 1½ cups of sauce, serving 6 to 8 people. Prep time is about 5 minutes. Cook time is 5 to 7 minutes. Total time is approximately 10 minutes.
Variations
For a richer sauce, use coconut milk instead of water. You can add a spoonful of finely minced shallot for extra depth or a splash of sesame oil for nuttiness. For a thinner dipping sauce, increase the liquid slightly. To make it sweeter, add a bit more hoisin or sugar; for more heat, increase the chili sauce.
Storage/Reheating
Store peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The sauce will thicken when chilled; reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen it if needed.
FAQs
Is Vietnamese peanut sauce spicy?
It’s typically mild, but spice level can be adjusted easily with chili sauce or flakes.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes, it keeps well in the refrigerator and often tastes better after the flavors meld.
What can I serve this sauce with?
It’s commonly served with fresh spring rolls, grilled meats, noodles, and vegetables.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes, use soy sauce instead of fish sauce and check that your hoisin sauce is vegan.
Why is my sauce too thick?
Peanut butter thickens as it cools. Add warm water or coconut milk to thin it out.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, though the texture will be less smooth.
Does this sauce taste sweet?
It has a balanced sweet-salty flavor, but sweetness can be adjusted to taste.
Can I freeze peanut sauce?
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture may separate when thawed.
What if I don’t have hoisin sauce?
You can substitute with a mix of soy sauce, a little sugar, and a splash of vinegar.
How long does it last in the fridge?
When stored properly, it lasts up to 7 days.
Conclusion
Vietnamese peanut sauce is a flavorful, versatile condiment that elevates a wide range of dishes. With its creamy texture and balanced taste, this easy homemade sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Vietnamese peanut sauce is a creamy, savory-sweet condiment made with peanut butter, hoisin, and garlic. It’s smooth, flavorful, and perfect for dipping fresh spring rolls or drizzling over noodles and grilled dishes.
Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
1/2 to 3/4 cup water or coconut milk
1–2 tsp chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and brown sugar.
Place over medium-low heat and stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and warmed through.
Add the rice vinegar or lime juice and stir to combine.
Gradually whisk in water or coconut milk until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Stir in chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes if using.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sweetness, saltiness, or acidity as needed.
Remove from heat and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Coconut milk makes the sauce richer and creamier.The sauce thickens as it cools; add liquid to thin if needed.Adjust sweetness or spice to taste.Great for dipping spring rolls or drizzling over noodles.Crunchy peanut butter can be used for added texture.
