Peanut Butter Stir Fry Sauce

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and versatile sauce to take your stir fry game to the next level, this Peanut Butter Stir Fry Sauce is your answer! Creamy, slightly spicy, tangy, and sweet, it’s a perfect balance that coats veggies, tofu, or meats beautifully. Plus, it comes together in just a few minutes with pantry-friendly ingredients.

Whether you’re whipping up a simple weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this sauce will become your go-to favorite. Let’s dive into how you can make it.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need:

• ⅓ cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, based on your preference)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use low-sodium for a healthier option)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1-2 limes)
• 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark, both work)
• 2 teaspoons Sambal oelek (a spicy Indonesian chili paste; adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (or ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger for extra zest)
• 1 tablespoon hot water (plus more if you want a thinner sauce)

Ingredient Notes:

• Peanut Butter: Smooth gives a silky finish, while crunchy adds texture.
• Sambal Oelek: If you don’t have sambal, you can substitute with sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes.
• Soy Sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free alternatives.
• Sweetness: Feel free to swap brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different depth of flavor.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your delicious stir fry sauce:

1. Combine the Base Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, sambal oelek, and ground ginger.

Tip: If your peanut butter is a bit firm or refrigerated, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to soften it before mixing.

2. Whisk Until Smooth

Using a whisk or a fork, vigorously mix all the ingredients together. The mixture will be thick at first — don’t worry, that’s normal!

3. Adjust the Consistency

While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the hot water. Add just enough to reach your desired sauce consistency:

• For a thicker sauce (great for tossing with noodles), use less water.
• For a thinner sauce (perfect for drizzling over stir-fried veggies or rice bowls), add more water, a tablespoon at a time.

Pro Tip: If you accidentally make it too thin, just whisk in a bit more peanut butter until it thickens up again.

4. Taste and Adjust

Before using the sauce, taste it! Depending on your preferences, you might want to:

• Add more sambal oelek if you love extra spice.
• Squeeze in a little more lime juice for a tangier punch.
• Stir in an extra teaspoon of brown sugar if you prefer it sweeter.

5. Use or Store

Your sauce is now ready to use! Toss it with your favorite stir-fry, drizzle it over grilled meats, or use it as a dip for fresh spring rolls.

If you’re not using it immediately, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just give it a good stir (or warm it up slightly) before using, as it might thicken when chilled.

Serving

• Toss with cooked noodles for a quick Peanut Noodle Stir Fry.
• Drizzle over sautéed veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas.
• Use as a marinade for grilled tofu, chicken, or shrimp.
• Serve as a dipping sauce for dumplings, spring rolls, or skewers.

This Peanut Butter Stir Fry Sauce is the ultimate magic maker for busy weeknights. It’s creamy, savory, spicy, and sweet all at once — just the kind of bold flavor you need to turn a simple dish into something special. Keep this recipe handy because once you try it, you’ll be finding new ways to enjoy it all the time!

Spicy Stir Fry Sauce

Looking for a bold and fiery stir fry sauce to liven up your meals? This Spicy Stir Fry Sauce is savory, sweet, and packs just the right amount of heat. It’s super simple to make and perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• ¼ cup brown sugar or honey
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch

Instructions

1. Simmer the Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Bring it to a gentle simmer.

2. Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with ½ cup cold water until smooth. Slowly stir this mixture into the simmering sauce. Keep cooking, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

3. Store and Use

Let the sauce cool and store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or stir before using.

Quick Tips

• For extra spice, add more red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha.
• For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Great for stir-frying veggies, chicken, tofu, or beef!

Szechuan Sauce

Bold, spicy, and packed with flavor, this Szechuan Sauce is perfect for adding a fiery kick to stir-fries, noodles, or grilled dishes. It’s quick to make and loaded with classic Asian flavors.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

1. Mix the Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed — add more chili garlic sauce for extra heat or more maple syrup for sweetness.

2. Use or Store

Use the sauce immediately in your favorite recipes, or refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Stir well before each use.

Quick Tips

• Perfect for spicy stir-fries, dumpling dipping sauce, or noodle tosses.
• To thicken the sauce further, gently heat it in a saucepan for 1-2 minutes while stirring.

Korean BBQ Sauce

Sweet, savory, and a little spicy, this Korean BBQ Sauce is a must-have for grilling, marinating, or stir-frying. It’s rich, flavorful, and comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy sauce
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce (like Sriracha®, optional)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Make the Base

In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice wine vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, black pepper, ginger, and sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a boil.

2. Thicken the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Slowly pour it into the boiling sauce while stirring.

3. Finish Cooking

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Quick Tips

• For a thicker glaze, let the sauce simmer a few extra minutes.
• Use as a marinade for beef, chicken, or tofu, or as a delicious dipping sauce.

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy, this Thai Sweet Chili Sauce is perfect for dipping, glazing, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. Homemade and packed with fresh flavors!

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup water
• ⅕ cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
• ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes
• 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine water, rice vinegar, rice wine, sugar, chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves.

2. Thicken the Sauce

Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until the sauce thickens.

3. Cool and Store

Remove from heat, let the sauce cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Quick Tips

• Adjust chili flakes to make it milder or spicier.
• Great for spring rolls, chicken wings, or grilled seafood.

Teriyaki Sauce

Rich, savory, and slightly sweet, this Teriyaki Sauce is the perfect addition to stir-fries, grilled meats, or even as a flavorful marinade. Quick to make and better than store-bought!

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Base

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, water, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, honey, and sesame oil. Stir and cook for 4–5 minutes until slightly heated through.

2. Make the Slurry

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.

3. Thicken the Sauce

Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Serve or Store

Use immediately for your favorite teriyaki dishes or as a marinade. Cool completely before storing in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Quick Tips

• Add red pepper flakes if you want a spicy kick.
• Use as a glaze for grilled chicken, salmon, or vegetables.