Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing Recipe
This spicy peanut salad dressing is just like the one they serve at Thai restaurants — and once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again. It’s creamy, bold, and full of flavor with just the right amount of heat.
Want more Asian-inspired recipes? Try my Teriyaki Marinade, or Ginger Scallion Sauce.
Introduction
If you love that rich, bold, spicy peanut dressing from your favorite Thai restaurant as much as I do, you’re in for a real treat with this recipe. This homemade version is just as flavorful — creamy, savory, with the perfect kick of heat — and it comes together in just minutes.
Whether you’re tossing it with crisp salad greens, drizzling it over noodle bowls, or using it as a dipping sauce, this dressing brings bold Thai-inspired flavor to anything you make. And if you’re into sauces that pack serious heat, you might also enjoy my original buffalo sauce, which has its own place in the weekly rotation.
This post is also included in my collection of homemade condiments, which focuses on simple methods and familiar ingredients.
What makes this spicy peanut dressing recipe so good?
- Comes together in just minutes, using simple pantry staples — no fancy equipment or prep required.
- Offers bold, restaurant-style flavor, bringing your favorite Thai food directly to your table.
- Easy to customize to your taste, whether you want to dial up the heat, balance the acidity, or tweak the saltiness.
- Works beautifully as a multipurpose sauce, for noodles, grain bowls, spring rolls, or even as a dipping sauce for my vegan Korean pancakes.
- Holds up well in the fridge, making it a great option for prepping ahead and using throughout the week.
Ingredients For Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch at home.
- Natural peanut butter: Stick with peanut butter made from just peanuts, or peanuts and salt. It gives the dressing a clean, rich flavor — unlike commercial versions that often include sugar or added oils, which can throw off the balance.
- Liquid aminos: A soy-free alternative to soy sauce, liquid aminos add a deep umami flavor — I also use them in my egg roll in a bowl for the same reason.
- Sesame oil: Adds a toasty, nutty depth that pairs perfectly with the peanut butter. Its bold, distinct flavor is essential to the Thai-inspired profile — don’t swap it out unless you’re okay with changing the dish significantly.
- Rice wine vinegar: Delivers just the right amount of acidity without overwhelming the other ingredients. Like sesame oil, it plays a key role in giving the dressing its Thai-style character.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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Variations or Substitutions
- Adjust the spice level easily, by reducing or omitting the sriracha if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Control the consistency, by adding more peanut butter for a thicker dip or extra water to thin it into a pourable sauce.
- Use lime juice instead of vinegar, to add a bright, citrusy twist that pairs especially well with fresh herbs and veggies.
- Thin it out with ⅓ cup of water to turn it into a silky sauce — perfect for drizzling over rice noodles or grain bowls.
How To Make Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing
This recipe comes together in just minutes — no cooking required!
Step 1: Place all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Blend together until smooth using a whisk or a fork.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but smooth peanut butter creates the ideal texture for dressing.
It’s medium-spicy with the amount of sriracha sauce listed in the recipe. Reduce or increase sriracha to suit your own taste.
Yes! It stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days and is great choice for meal prep.
Besides salads, it’s great for grain bowls, stir-fries, rice noodles, spring rolls, or as a dip.
Peanut butter and oil solidify when cold. Let it sit out for 30–60 minutes before serving, and give it a stir.
Serve
This spicy peanut dressing is absolutely delicious on fresh salads — especially the simple, vibrant kind you find at Thai restaurants. A bed of spring greens, red cabbage, and shredded carrots is all it takes to let the flavors shine. But don’t stop there. I also love using it as a sauce for rice noodles, a bold topper for grain bowls, or a creamy dip for spring rolls and fresh-cut veggies.
To use it as a sauce, simply add more water to reach the perfect pourable consistency. The flavor holds up beautifully and adds just the right balance of creamy, salty, sweet, and spicy deliciousness.
If you enjoy making your own spicy condiments, be sure to check out my spicy cranberry mustard recipe. It’s the kind of recipe that will undoubtedly earn a spot in your yearly holilday recipe rotation.
Expert Tips
- Adjust the heat level: Reduce or increase the amount of sriracha to suit your spice preference.
- Change the thickness: Add more peanut butter to thicken or more water to thin until the desired consistency is reached.
- Balance the flavor: Taste the dressing and adjust the honey or soy sauce to fine-tune sweetness or saltiness.
- Let it warm before serving: If the dressing thickens in the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature and stir well before using.
- Use for meal prep: Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and enjoy it on salads, noodles, or grain bowls throughout the week.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Tangy Mustard Salad Dressing
Thousand Island Dressing
Dill Dressing
Spicy Cajun Tartar Sauce
Sweet & Dill Relish Tartar Sauce
Spicy Garlic Aioli Sauce
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Spicy Peanut Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (peanuts as only ingredient)
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 tablespoons liquid aminos (can substitute soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add peanut butter, water, liquid aminos (or soy sauce), honey, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sriracha sauce, granulated garlic, and ground ginger.
- Mix well: Use a fork or whisk to blend all ingredients together until smooth.
- Serve: Drizzle the dressing over a salad of mixed spring greens, sliced red cabbage, and shredded carrots, or any salad of your choice.
Notes
- Adjust spice level: For a milder version, reduce the amount of sriracha sauce or omit it entirely.
- Thicker dressing: If you prefer a thicker dressing, reduce the water slightly or add a bit more peanut butter.
- Thinner dressing: If you prefer a thinner dressing, simply add a little more water, a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Flavor balance: Taste and adjust the sweetness or saltiness by adding more honey or soy sauce, based on your preference.
- Great for meal prep: This dressing stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it perfect for salads throughout the week.
- Perfect for bowls: Besides salads, this dressing is great as a topping for grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or even as a dipping sauce for spring rolls.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love peanut salad dressing! I used to ask to add extra sauce to my take-out order. I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for sharing!!!!
Love this dressing! Thanks for the recipe!
So welcome!
Love peanut salad dressing. Your recipe looks amazing. Looking forward to trying it out.
Hope you enjoy it 😉
I’ve never made home made peanut salad dressing. I made this and it was so addicting. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you liked it 😉
I have never, gasp, made my own salad dressing. I know, it’s shameful. But this looks and sounds so yummy. I love Thai food, so I’m all about it!
I never made my own until recent years and I’ve got a few years on you so don’t gasp too loud, LOL! Give this one a try. So easy. AND so good 😉
What a delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Quite welcome 😉
Delicious! I like extra spicy and used hot honey. Mixed the sauce into cold noodles with crunchy vegetables for a wonderful meal.
So glad you like it. It is great with noodles!
This spicy peanut salad dressing is rich, creamy, and full of bold flavor with just the right amount of heat. It’s perfect for drizzling over salads, noodle bowls, or as a dip for veggies. If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to leave a review and let me know how it turned out for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help!