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    Home » Recipes » Salads & Salad Dressings

    Published: May 31, 2023 by Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Peanut Salad Dressing is made with natural peanut butter, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and lime juice. It pairs perfectly with Asian-inspired salads, noodles, grain bowls, and more. Plus, it's ready in just 5 minutes!

    A bowl of peanut salad dressing with a spoon sticking out to the left.

    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!

    Some links throughout this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re willing to use them, it helps fund this site and allows me to continue to provide content. I appreciate your support!

    Table of Contents -
    Why You'll Love This Recipe
    Ingredient Notes
    Substitutions and Variations
    How to Make Peanut Salad Dressing
    Peanut Salad Dressing (Instructional Video)
    Tips for Success
    What to Serve With Peanut Salad Dressing
    Storage and Reheating
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Let's Connect!
    More Salad Dressing Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Peanut Salad Dressing

    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.

    The ingredients to make peanut salad dressing. Each ingredient is labeled with text.

    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.
    A mason jar of peanut butter laying on a white cloth napkin next to half a lime, a knob of fresh ginger, and a spoonful of peanut butter.

    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.

    Peanut salad dressing in a bowl before being mixed.

    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.

    Peanut salad dressing in a glass mixing bowl after being whisked together.

    Peanut Salad Dressing (Instructional Video)

    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.

    Soba noodle salad in a white salad bowl.

    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!

    Peanut butter salad dressing in a clear glass bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use regular peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter?

    Yes, you can use regular peanut butter in this recipe. Since regular peanut butter contains added sugar and hydrogenated oils, the sweetness and consistency of the dressing may be altered slightly.

    Can I use regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium soy sauce?

    Use regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium soy sauce, if preferred. Note that the dressing will be saltier and so you may want to adjust some the other ingredients accordingly.

    Can I make a larger batch of peanut salad dressing?

    Of course! This peanut vinaigrette dressing recipe doubles quite easily.

    Let's Connect!

    Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].

    More Salad Dressing Recipes

    • Red Wine Vinaigrette
    • Caesar Salad Dressing

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of peanut salad dressing with a spoon sticking out to the left.
    Print Pin

    Peanut Salad Dressing

    This Peanut Salad Dressing is made with natural peanut butter, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and lime juice. It pairs perfectly with Asian-inspired salads, noodles, grain bowls, and more. Plus, it's ready in just 5 minutes!
    Course Condiment, Salad
    Cuisine Asian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 servings (2 tablespoons each)
    Calories 102kcal
    Author Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowls
    • Whisk

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter
    • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • Juice of ½ lime
    • 1 clove garlic grated or finely minced
    • 2 teaspoons ginger root grated or finely minced

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk or shake ingredients together until well combined. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

    Notes

    • Quick Tip: If your peanut butter is too thick, microwave it for a few seconds until softened.
    • Storage: Store dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3.5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 287mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Did you try this recipe?Let me know! Comment below, or take a picture and tag me on Instagram @everydayhomemadebyashley.

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