Peanut Salad Dressing (For Salads, Noodles, and Bowls)

I love peanut butter in all its forms, from peanut butter sandwiches to peanut butter cups.

But, did you know that peanut butter can also be used in savory dishes?

This Asian peanut salad dressing is the perfect example. It combines the creamy, nutty goodness of peanut butter with the savory flavors of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

It's fantastic drizzled over Asian-inspired salads, slaws, noodles, and grain bowls. And it also makes a great marinade or dip.

So, keep reading if you want to learn how to make the best peanut salad dressing recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Ready in 5 Minutes- Making your own salad dressing is so quick and easy! In just 5 minutes, you can have flavorful, homemade peanut salad dressing prepped and ready for the whole week.
• Only 8 Ingredients- If you make Asian cuisine at home, you likely already have many of the ingredients needed to make this homemade peanut butter salad dressing in your pantry.
• Flavorful- Fresh garlic, ginger, and lime juice make this dressing bright and flavorful! You'll want to add it to everything.
• Preservative-Free- Many store-bought salad dressings are filled with added sugars and preservatives. Not this healthy peanut salad dressing! It's made with just simple, fresh ingredients.
• Versatile- This ginger peanut salad dressing is not only delicious on salads, but it can also be used as a meat or tofu marinade and as a dipping sauce.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Natural Peanut Butter- Look for creamy peanut butter that only lists peanuts or peanuts and salt on the ingredient label. My favorite peanut butter brand is Teddie (they're from Massachusetts, like me!)
• Soy Sauce- I always use low-sodium soy sauce to help control the amount of sodium in the dressing.
• Rice Vinegar- Slightly sweet and tangy, rice vinegar balances the savory, umami flavors of the soy sauce and peanut butter.
• Lime Juice- Fresh lime juice adds a bright, citrusy note to the dressing.
• Honey- A little sweetness from honey balances the other flavors.
• Sesame Oil- Adds a rich, nutty flavor that plays well with peanut butter.
• Garlic- Grated garlic blends easily into the dressing, adding lots of savory garlic flavor.
• Ginger- Freshly grated ginger tastes fresh and slightly spicy.

Sustainability Tip: Did you know you can grow your own garlic? Garlic cloves are planted in the fall, then harvested in early summer.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this peanut salad dressing recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Natural Peanut Butter- Substitute natural peanut butter with cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.
• Soy Sauce- Swap soy sauce for tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos.
• Rice Vinegar- Use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in place of rice wine vinegar.
• Lime Juice- Swap lime juice for lemon juice, orange juice, or an additional tablespoon of rice vinegar.
• Honey- Maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave nectar make great substitutes for honey.
• Sesame Oil- Replace sesame oil with a neutral-flavored oil, such as canola oil, light olive oil, or grapeseed oil.
• Garlic- Substitute fresh garlic for ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Ginger- Use ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger in place of fresh ginger.

Variations

• Gluten-Free- Swap soy sauce for tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos to make gluten-free peanut dressing.
• Nut-Free- Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter for a nut-free version of this Thai peanut dressing.
• Vegan- Replace the honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar to make this peanut sauce vegan.
• Spicy- Make spicy peanut dressing by adding a teaspoon of sriracha, sambal oelek, or red pepper flakes.
• Coconut- Add a splash of coconut milk for additional flavor and creaminess.
• Herbs- Chopped fresh cilantro, basil, or mint would give this easy peanut salad dressing another layer of flavor.

Quick Tip: Thicken this peanut sauce by adding additional peanut butter. For a thinner dressing, whisk in additional lime juice or water.

How to Make Peanut Salad Dressing

Here is how to make peanut butter dressing.

Step 1: Combine all ingredients. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar.

Step 2: Mix ingredients together. Whisk or shake ingredients together until well combined. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Tips for Success

• Check peanut butter consistency. The consistency of natural peanut butter can vary quite a bit. If your peanut butter is too thick, simply microwave it for a few seconds until softened.
• Whisk or shake well. The peanut butter takes a few minutes to completely dissolve and emulsify into the dressing.
• Grate the garlic and ginger. Grated garlic and ginger blend easily into the dressing, giving it the best texture and flavor.
• Shake before using. If you've stored your peanut ginger salad dressing in the refrigerator, give it a good shake or stir it before serving.
• Get creative. Don't be afraid to experiment and make this homemade salad dressing your own. That's half the fun of cooking!

What to Serve With Peanut Salad Dressing

This peanut ginger dressing recipe is versatile and can be used as a dressing, marinade, or dip.

Naturally, it pairs well with Asian-inspired salads, slaws, noodles, and grain bowls. One of my favorite dishes to serve with this sesame peanut salad dressing is Soba Noodle Salad.

Additionally, you can use this creamy peanut dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken, pork, or tofu. It adds a deliciously nutty and savory flavor to proteins while keeping them tender and juicy.

Finally, for a flavorful appetizer or snack, serve this peanut sauce as a dip alongside fresh spring rolls, tempura vegetables, chicken satay skewers, or sushi.

Storage and Reheating

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store leftover peanut salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
• Freezer- For longer storage, freeze leftover peanut salad dressing for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the consistency of the dressing may change after thawing.

Make Ahead

This 5-minute peanut salad dressing is perfect for meal prep because it can be made up to 7 days in advance. In fact, the dressing becomes more flavorful over time as the ingredients meld together. Just give it a good shake before serving!

Frequently Asked Questions

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