Easy Peanut Salad Dressing Recipe (Ready in 5 Minutes!)

Name: Easy Peanut Salad Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup smooth peanut butter; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free); 1 lime, juiced; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 3 tablespoons water; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 2 tablespoons sesame oil

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Ready in only 5 minutes, this easy peanut salad dressing recipe uses 6 simple ingredients to make a creamy, sweet, nutty sauce. It’s delicious as a salad dressing for leafy green salads, chopped salads, or noodle salads.

About This Recipe

This creamy peanut dressing is a Thai-inspired sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sesame oil. It’s a tasty alternative to more traditional salad dressings like ranch or Italian.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. It’s also a very versatile recipe and is tasty with a wide range of salads and ingredients.

Peanut Salad Dressing Ingredients:

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.

Peanut butter
Low-sodium soy sauce
Lime
Rice vinegar
Maple syrup
Sesame oil

How to Make Peanut Salad Dressing:

Here's how to make this dressing in 2 simple steps:

In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients. Start by adding 3 tablespoons of water (it will be thick) and add more water until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Stir the dressing well, until fully combined and no longer grainy.
Enjoy this dressing with your favorite salads! This dressing is tasty with leafy green salads, chopped salads, and noodle salads.

Ingredient Notes:

Creamy Peanut butter: natural peanut butter works best for this recipe, but you can use alternative nut butters (like almond butter or sunflower seed butter) instead.
Rice vinegar: apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be substituted, but this may change the flavor of the dressing.
Soy sauce: coconut aminos or tamari sauce can be substituted as gluten-free or soy-free options.
Maple syrup: this can be swapped out for your preferred sweetener, like honey or agave nectar.
Red pepper flakes: these are a popular addition to make the dressing spicy.
Fresh garlic or fresh ginger: these are popular additions to the recipe (try 2 teaspoons ginger, 2 garlic cloves)
Lime juice: fresh, tangy lime juice works best in this recipe, but orange juice would also be tasty for a fruitier flavor.

What Salads Go With Peanut Dressing?

Peanut dressing is tasty with most green salads or noodle salads that are vegetable based. It's most popular with crunchy Thai salads, cabbage slaws, and noodle salads (like rice noodles). Here are a few ideas for recipes to pair it with:

This peanut dressing can also be used for more than salads: use it as a dipping sauce for spring rolls or lettuce wraps, as a dip for fresh veggies, or as a sauce for a stir fry.

Here's a photo of the peanut dressing with a Thai Crunch Salad:

Thai crunch salad with peanut salad dressing.

How to Store Peanut Dressing

Peanut salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container (like a small jar) in the fridge for up to 5 days. If your dressing thickens in the fridge, let it come to room temperature before using it or stir in a splash of water.

Top Tips for Making This Recipe:

If possible, use a natural creamy peanut butter. Peanut butter with only simple ingredients (peanuts and salt) will work best.
As you stir together your dressing, add water until it reaches your desired consistency. If you like a thin dressing, add more; and if you like a thick dressing, add less.
Leftover peanut sauce can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make peanut salad dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can make peanut salad dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir the dressing well before using it as it may thicken or separate in the fridge.

Can I make this dressing spicy?

Yes, you can make this dressing spicy by stirring in some Sriracha sauce (start with 1 teaspoon) or a few pinches of red pepper flakes.

Can you use crunchy peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter but it will change the texture of the dressing. You may also need to add more water to your dressing if it's too thick.

Similar Recipes

For more easy homemade salad dressing recipes, check out these popular favorites:

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment & rating at the bottom of this page!