Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Trader Joe Thai Peanut Satay Sauce is the one I would have on everything. It has a creamy, nutty, slightly tangy, slightly sweet taste; the type of taste that fills your mouth and tinges your tongue immediately after waking up and makes even the most basic food taste extraordinary.

Be it grilled chicken skewers dipping noodles with it, or drizzling it over roasted vegetables, this sauce will turn ordinary foods into ones that are worthy of craving. The first time I tasted it at the store I recall saying to myself, There is no how and why I can repeat it. Oh, how wrong I was!

This Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe requires only some of the ingredients found in your pantry and a few minutes in the kitchen to prepare and frankly, is even tastier than the bottled one.

What is Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce?

Original Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce is a smooth combination of roasted peanuts, soy sauce, and coconut milk, lime juice, and just a splash of spice. It is based on Thai street food- where peanut satay sauce is sold as an accompaniment to grilled meat skewers (satay), rice and salads.

It is full, creamy, and well-balanced. The peanut butter nuttiness, the lime tang, the coziness of the garlic and ginger are combined to make an incredibly edible, velvety sauce that is unbelievably versatile.

The best part? It does not require any fancy ingredients to make it homemade. Your pantry will most likely have everything you need to use at the moment.

Equipment List

The Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe does not require much to prepare, just a few simple cooking utensils:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or fork
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small saucepan (not a requirement, just in case of heating)
• Airtight container or glass jar to store.

Ingredients

The following ingredients will be required to prepare a home version of Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe:

• ½ cup smooth creamy peanut butter (unsweetened and preferably smooth)
• 1/3 cup canned vanilla or almond (full-fat to make it creamy)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari to be gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons butter (or use honey as a natural sweetener)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger.
• 1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (spice optional)
• Warm water, as needed to thin

Instructions

Step 1: Add the peanut butter and the coconut milk.

Combine the peanut butter and coconut milk in a medium bowl and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This is your luscious base.

Step 2: Add the flavor boosters.

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, lime juice and sesame oil. Stir once more till it forms a smooth sauce.

Step 3: Add aromatics.

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger and chili garlic sauce (where applicable). These ingredients add such Thai spice to the sauce.

Step 4: Adjust consistency.

Add warm water a tablespoon at a time until you have the desired consistency in the sauce. I prefer mine thin enough and pourable.

Step 5: Taste and tweak.

It is magic here! Add more lime to the flavor, more soy sauce to the salt, or more sugar to make it sweet.

Step 6: Optional heating step.

To achieve a smoother more silkier finish, warm the sauce in the small saucepan over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Blend constantly to prevent separation.

Step 7: Serve or store.

Since it is perishable, use it without delay or put in a jar and store in a refrigerator. It has a shelf life of up to 1 week- stir before use.

How to Use Thai Peanut Satay Sauce

This sauce is a complete kitchen all-rounder. These are some of my most preferred uses of it:

As a dip: Skewers of chicken, fresh spring rolls, or veggie sticks are all perfect.

Dressing: Thai-style salad dressing. Blend with a small amount of extra lime juice and water.

As a noodle soup: Serve with noodles, i.e, rice noodles or soba noodles, and sprinkle with crushed peanuts and scallions.

As a marinade: Combine with additional soy sauce and marinate chicken or tofu and grill.

As a drizzle: It is delicious on roasted veggies, rice bowls or even a baked potato, it gives things a little pop.

Flavor Profile Breakdown

The balance of this sauce is what is so irresistible:

• Creamy -peanut butter and coconut milk.
• Savory – soy sauce and sesame oil.
• Sweet – of brown sugar or honey.
• Tangy – from lime juice
• Spicy – of chili garlic sauce (not essential but good)

All the elements are harmonious as a symphony. The result? Some rich and bright, comforting and refreshing, sauce.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Trader Joe’s Sauce

Admittedly speaking, the version of Trader Joe’s is quite good. However, when you prepare it yourself, you get what you never have with its store-bought counterpart: control.

As you make it yourself, you can:

• Add as much or as little sweetness or salt as you prefer.
• Avoid preservatives and artificial flavours.
• Select coconut milk of great quality and natural peanut butter.
• Enjoy it fresh every time.

Besides, homemade sauce is cheaper than store-bought by almost a hundred percent and is ready within less than 10 minutes. You may never go back to the jar after you prepare it yourself!

Tips for the Best Peanut Satay Sauce

• Take peanut butter with no sugar. This puts you in better control of the taste.
• Mash with the addition of coconut milk. It assists in blending all things together.
• Thin gradually. Slowly add water to achieve the right consistency.
• Balance is key. Sweet, salty, tangy, spicy–sweeten it until it is just right.
• Don’t overheat. The sauce will separate when heated to extreme temperatures. Gentle warming works best.

Variations You’ll Love

Want to put your own spin on it? Try one of these fun twists:

Spicy Thai Style: Add an additional chili garlic sauce or sriracha to be hot.

Citrusy Kick: Add the zest of an orange to add a bright note to the flavor.

Dream of Garlic Lover: Roast the garlic initially to add more flavor to it.

Crispy Texture: Adding crushed peanuts at the end.

Ginger Lime Fusion: Add 2 more fresh ginger and lime will make it zesty.

Storage and Shelf Life

Keep your own Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce in a glass or an airtight jar. It will take a maximum of 7 days in refrigerator.

In case it becomes thick with the course of time, simply add a tablespoon of warm water to liquefy it before use.

Pro tip: You can also freeze it! Put the sauce in ice cube trays and freeze and thaw it as required. It is as good to eat as fresh.

FAQs About Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe

Q1: Is it possible to make it without coconut milk?

Absolutely! You may replace it with unsweetened almond milk. It will be creamy only a little less.

Q2: What in case I have chunky peanut butter?

It is alright–your sauce will only be thicker. To have a smoother finish, mix it fast in a blender.

Q3: Does it contain vegan and gluten-free sauce?

Yes, it can be! Simply replace soy sauce with tamari and make sure that other ingredients are plant-based.

Q4: Can I use it for meal prep?

Definitely. It is wonderful to make salad dressings or noodle bowls, or dipping sauces in advance.

Q5: How do I make it extra spicy?

To add that kick of heat add sriracha, Thai red curry paste, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Final Thoughts

This is a fast, versatile and delicious Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Satay Sauce Recipe. It is a kind of sauce that you prepare once and then you continue to make it regularly.

Whenever I make a batch, I get the impression that I have finished off a small collection of restaurant magic in my own home. It is a dish that can suit any mood, it is tasty, comforting, and exotic enough to make an otherwise ordinary Tuesday dinner one to remember.

The whisk, peanut butter and some lime juice–and you are all set to savor your new kitchen addiction.

More Delicious Sauces:

• Dave’s Hot Chicken Sauce Recipe
• Copycat Chipotle Bitchin Sauce Recipe
• Hoffman House Cocktail Sauce Recipe