Tony Zentgraf
Skewered Street Food Around The World
This Thai Peanut Sauce (GF) recipe is simple to make and delicious plus it is gluten free. Pair the Thai Peanut Sauce with Thai Chicken Satay and Thai Beef Satay.
Both satay recipes pair well with this peanut sauce. The aromatics in the marinades for the are ingredients in the red curry paste allowing the flavors to compliment. Adding coconut milk to the sauce adds to the complexity of the satay and sauce.
Unsure of the Spice Level?
Thai cuisine is known for using Thai chilis and curries to bring the heat but the spice level can be adjusted easily. By reducing or increasing the red curry paste you can make to the spice level of your liking.
The recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons. In the video I did 2 heaping tablespoons. Adjust the spice level as you like. I recommend, if you are unsure of the spice level, start with one tablespoon or less then adjust to your liking.
Peanut Sauce History and Variations
Peanuts are one of those foods, like the sweet potato, that have taken a world tour before landing in Southeast Asia. A prevailing theory is that peanuts were discovered by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. They found them in South America then brought them back to Europe.
As spices were spreading across Asia so were Peanuts by trade routes. Eventually making their way to Indonesia where peanut sauce was first created.
Read more on the sweet potato and its world tour in the recipe for Southwest Sweet Potato Salad
Over time, Thailand adopted peanut sauce from Indonesia. Peanut sauces in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are nothing like the peanut sauce that you can buy in the store.
This recipe is on the thicker side but the sauce can be thinned. Adjusting the amount of peanut butter or coconut milk to get the consistency you want. Grinding peanuts in a mortar and pestle as they would do in Asia would give the sauce a more fine ground peanut consistency.
Peanuts Travel the World
Variations of peanut sauce have a wide range of interpretations around the world. In Southeast Asia alone there are hundreds of variations. European explorers brought back peanut sauce recipes to their home countries. Many sauces became variations all their own in countries such as the Netherlands.
Store Bought Recipe Variations
The U.S. version sold in stores caters more to the American palate. Combining the American style mixed with some coconut milk and Asian aromatics makes a tasty sauce for other applications.
See this recipe for Grilled Shrimp with Thai Coconut Peanut Sauce to see an example of using store bought peanut sauce and coconut milk for a sauce. Delicious!
Palm Sugar
If you are unfamiliar with palm sugar or are not sure where to find it, check an Asian Market near you or order online.
I hope you Enjoy this recipe for Thai Peanut Sauce (GF)!
Thai Peanut Sauce (GF)
Print RecipeRecipe Multiplier
- 3 ea Garlic Cloves minced
- 3 tbsp Palm Sugar or 2 Tbl Brown Sugar
- 1 ea Lime juiced
- 1 can Coconut Milk or Lite Coconut Milk
- 2 tbsp Red Curry Paste
- ⅔ cup Creamy or Chunky Peanut Butter
- 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ cup Chopped Peanuts
Instructions
- Mince the garlic & chop the peanuts.
- In a pot combine all ingredients.
- Heat over a medium heat.
- Using a whisk, break apart the curry paste and peanut butter as it heats.
- Once combined simmer for 5-10 minutes until it is thickened to the desired consistency. Should be pourable but thick. If too thick add water to thin.
- Peanut sauce can be served warm or cold. If served cold it will be considerably thicker than when warm or at room temperature. Serve with the Thai Chicken or Beef Satay. Or use in a dressing, on soba noodles with some salmon. Enjoy!
