Description
This vibrant peanut sauce recipe is perfect for elevating your stir fry dishes, combining savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with a creamy texture. Ideal for protein and vegetable stir fries or noodles, this sauce adds a deliciously nutty punch that complements a variety of ingredients. Ready in minutes, it makes weeknight dinners quick and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp curry powder (any type)
- 1 1/2 tbsp (30 g) crunchy peanut butter, regular
- 3 tbsp water
Stir Fry
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1–2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
- 180–200 g (6–7 oz) protein of choice, sliced
- 3–4 cups vegetables of choice, chopped/sliced as required and grouped by cooking time
Noodles (Optional)
- 100 g (3.5 oz) dried rice noodles OR 180 g (6 oz) fresh noodles of choice, prepared per packet instructions
Garnish
- Finely chopped coriander (cilantro)
- Crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Make Peanut Sauce: Place all peanut sauce ingredients except water into a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Gradually add water and continue mixing until the sauce is smooth.
- Heat Oil and Aromatics: Warm oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add minced garlic and sliced onion, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Protein: Add your sliced protein or tofu to the pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes, until just cooked through but still tender.
- Stir Fry Vegetables: Add vegetables that require longer cooking times first. Stir fry briefly until they are just tender yet still crisp.
- Add Delicate Vegetables and Sauce: Introduce more delicate vegetables such as bean sprouts or leafy greens. Pour in the peanut sauce and toss everything together until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the ingredients. Add additional water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped coriander and crushed peanuts. Serve the stir fry over rice or opt for cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- For Noodle Version: Follow all stir fry steps up to adding vegetables. After adding the vegetables, include the prepared noodles with the sauce in the pan. Toss for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the noodles evenly. Remove from heat, garnish, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Fish sauce adds a savory depth; substitute with soy sauce for a vegetarian option.
- Dark soy sauce provides color and additional umami flavor.
- Grouping vegetables by cooking time ensures even cooking and optimal texture.
- Adjust water quantity to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Try different proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu for variety.
- For gluten-free, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free and use tamari if preferred.
- To reduce fat, use less oil or substitute crunchy peanut butter with natural peanut butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: peanut sauce, stir fry sauce, Asian sauce, peanut butter sauce, stir fry recipe, quick sauce, peanut stir fry sauce, easy sauce
