The Secret to the Perfect Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe

If you’re looking to elevate your spring rolls, grilled meats, or noodle bowls, this Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe is your secret weapon. Creamy, nutty, and perfectly balanced with sweet, savory, and tangy notes, this iconic dipping sauce brings bold flavor to even the simplest dishes. Made with pantry staples like peanut butter, hoisin sauce, garlic, and lime juice, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to whip up at home.

Vietnamese dipping sauce Delicious with You won’t believe the depth of richness in this dipping sauce. Whereas Thai peanut sauce amps up the coconut milk and spice, its Vietnamese counterpart is milder, sweeter by the minute, and often garnished with crushed peanuts and a hint of chili for a finishing touch. This is the kind of sauce you’ll be scraping clean from the bowl.

Whether you’re getting ready for a dinner party or making lunch to take to work, This Vietnamese Peanut Sauce adds an authentic, restaurant-quality touch with minimal effort. Once you try it, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything.

Origins of Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

Peanut sauce is a well-loved condiment in Vietnamese cuisine, and you’ll find it served with the classic gỏi cuốn (Vietnamese fresh spring rolls). However, not a native Vietnamese ingredient, peanut sauce, a product created from creative Vietnamese and local influences, is a great mash-up of various elements, especially those from Chinese and French influences. Unlike Thai peanut sauce, which typically contains coconut milk and is usually hotter, the Vietnamese version is creamier, more subtly sweet, and more nuanced.
It is a peanut butter dipping sauce, typically thickened with hoisin sauce and enhanced with other aromatics, such as garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice. It helped that this sauce took root in Vietnamese-American restaurants, many of which serve spring rolls as an appetizer; the peanut dip brings along richness and a satisfying umami punch. Over time, home cooks adopted it for its ease and flexibility, turning it into a pantry workhorse that can extend beyond mere dipping.

Health Benefits of Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

While this sauce is indulgent and rich, it also brings a few nutritional advantages when enjoyed in moderation. Peanut butter provides plant-based protein and healthy fats, and garlic offers antioxidants and immune-boosting properties. Here’s a quick breakdown of its health highlights:

For a healthier version, use natural peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, and go light on the hoisin to reduce sugar content.

Check Peanuts 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe From OoohDelish!

Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe

This creamy and flavorful Vietnamese Peanut Sauce is perfect for dipping spring rolls, drizzling over noodles, or adding richness to grilled meats. Made with peanut butter, hoisin sauce, garlic, and lime, it’s a quick and easy sauce that brings sweet, salty, and tangy flavors in perfect harmony.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Sauce

Cuisine Vietnamese

Servings 4

Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Small saucepan
• 1 Whisk
• 1 Garlic Press or Knife
• 1 Serving Bowl or Jar

Ingredients

  

• Main Ingredients
• 1/2 cup peanut butter smooth, unsweetened preferred
• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce low sodium preferred
• 1 clove garlic minced or pressed
• 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
• 1/2 cup warm water or more to thin
• 1 tsp sugar optional, to taste
• 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha optional, for heat
• Optional Topping
• 2 tbsp crushed peanuts
• 1 tsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

 

• Sauté Garlic: In a small saucepan over medium heat, lightly sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
• Whisk the Sauce: Add peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili sauce (if using). Slowly whisk in warm water until the mixture is smooth and reaches your desired consistency.
• Simmer: Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.
• Cool and Serve: Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with crushed peanuts and chopped cilantro if desired.

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir or gently reheat before serving.
• Great as a dip for spring rolls, grilled chicken, tofu, or tossed with cold noodles!

Keyword Asian Dipping Sauce, Peanut Hoisin Dip, Spring Roll Sauce, Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Peanut Sauce

• ✅ Use smooth peanut butter for a creamier texture; natural or unsweetened varieties work best.
• 🧄 Sauté garlic briefly in oil to mellow its sharpness before adding to the sauce.
• 🍋 Balance is key; adjust lime juice, sugar, or water for your preferred sweet-tangy consistency.
• 🌶️ Add chili garlic sauce or sriracha for a little heat if desired.
• 💧 Thin with warm water or broth if the sauce becomes too thick after cooling.
• 🥄 Stir constantly over low heat to avoid scorching the peanut butter or clumping.
• ❄️ Store in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to one week. Stir or gently reheat to loosen before serving.

Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Variations

• 🌶️ Spicy Version: Add sriracha, sambal oelek, or crushed red pepper flakes.
• 🧉 Coconut Twist: Stir in 2–3 tbsp of coconut milk for a Thai-Vietnamese hybrid flavor.
• 🥣 Thickened Style: Add a little cornstarch slurry for a thicker consistency, perfect for noodles.
• 🥜 Crunchy Peanut Sauce: Use chunky peanut butter or top with crushed roasted peanuts.
• 🍯 Honey-Ginger Fusion: Add a spoon of honey and a touch of grated ginger for a sweet, zesty upgrade.
• 🌱 Vegan Version: Ensure your hoisin sauce is vegan-friendly and skip any fish sauce substitutions.

Conclusion

Whether you’re dipping fresh spring rolls, tossing noodles, or elevating your grilled skewers, this Vietnamese Peanut Sauce adds a rich, creamy texture and a depth of irresistible flavor that is truly irresistible. A smooth, creamy texture, perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, with a hint of tang from the lime, makes it an all-purpose condiment that never disappoints.
The best part? You can make it in minutes with a few pantry staples; no fancy tools or outlandish ingredients are necessary. And it’s simple to tailor: You can also make it spicy, nutty, tangy, or even vegan, as you like. This sauce is an example of how small adjustments can significantly improve your meals.
So, the next time you’re making spring rolls or meal-prepping stir-fries, go for the sauce. This Vietnamese Peanut Sauce is more than just a dip; it’s the secret ingredient that makes everything delicious! Happy dipping! 🥜✨

Share Your Twist on Vietnamese Peanut Sauce!

Did you spice it up with extra sriracha or add a splash of coconut milk for a silky twist? Maybe you swapped peanut butter for almond butter or turned it fully vegan?

At Oooh Delish, we love seeing how you customize the classics, whether it’s a bold remix or a creative shortcut!

📸 Snap a pic of your flavorful peanut sauce creation and tag us with #OoohDelishTwist, we might just feature your twist on our page!
💌 Got a beloved family version or a regional variation? Email it to contact@ooohdelish.com and you could be credited on our site!

Let your flavor instincts lead the way; this sauce is your canvas! 🥜🎨

FAQs: Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe