This peanut dressing resembles peanut sauce, but it’s crafted for salads. It’s rich, bold, and nutty. It definitely stands out! This dressing goes perfectly with Thai ingredients such as bell pepper, carrots, cabbage, mango, and more—you’ll discover a list of ideas below.
Creating this salad dressing is straightforward using basic ingredients. You probably already have them in your kitchen. You’ll need smooth peanut butter (the creamier, the better), lime juice, tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup or honey, fresh garlic, and red pepper flakes (for some heat, if desired). That’s all!
Peanut Dressing Salad Ideas
If you enjoy fresh spring rolls, you can create a deconstructed spring roll bowl and drizzle it with this peanut dressing. If you’d rather follow a recipe, check out my Thai Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing or Crunchy Thai Peanut & Quinoa Salad.
This dressing can enhance both simple and intricate salads. Here’s a comprehensive list of compatible salad ingredients. You can mix and match without hesitation:
– Avocado
– Bell pepper
– Cabbage: purple, green, or coleslaw mix
– Carrot
– Cilantro or mint
– Cucumber
– Edamame
– Green onion
– Lettuce: opt for milder varieties like Bibb, butter, or little gem
– Mango
– Quinoa
– Peanuts
– Snow peas or sugar snap peas
– Soba noodles or rice noodles
Additional Homemade Salad Dressings
If you love this dressing, consider trying these salad dressings next:
Please share how you use your peanut dressing in the comments. I enjoy hearing from you and value your input!
Peanut Dressing
This delectable peanut dressing complements Thai flavors beautifully. It’s so creamy and tasty that a small amount is sufficient. The recipe yields a little under ⅔ cup—double it if necessary.
Instructions:
1. To make the dressing, mix the peanut butter, tamari, maple syrup, garlic, and optional red pepper flakes (everything except the lime juice) in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl. Use a small whisk or fork to combine until smooth.
2. Whisk in about half of the lime juice until creamy, then incorporate the remainder. Keep whisking until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
3. Taste it, and if it’s too tart, add another teaspoon or so of maple syrup. Serve as desired. Any leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes:
– Peanut butter tip: Utilize ultra-creamy peanut butter for the richest texture. Some natural peanut butters can be gritty, based on the brand. My homemade peanut butter is incredibly creamy and would be ideal.
– Make it vegan: Choose maple syrup instead of honey.
– Make it gluten-free: Opt for certified gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce, which contains wheat.
Nutrition
The information provided is an estimate generated by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be seen as a replacement for professional nutritionist guidance. See our full nutrition disclosure here.