Peanut Lime Dressing

Infused with creamy peanut butter, fresh lime juice, rice vinegar, and a few simple ingredients, this homemade peanut lime dressing is a total flavor bomb and utterly addicting. It's such a versatile dressing, too. Serve it over lettuce wraps or a simple green salad or use it as a dipping sauce to dunk your favorite spring rolls and more. It's a finger-licking riot of flavor you'll want to eat on repeat!

I think we can all agree that peanut sauce is easily one of the best things ever, right? That sweet, nutty, tangy, umami flavor is just plain dreamy. I could easily eat it with a spoon and always want extra!

This homemade version is super simple, relying on just 5 ingredients, yet the flavor is out of this world. It's one of those recipes I save in my back pocket any time I want to add major flavor quickly.

It's truly the star of this Power Slaw with Peanut Sauce and my Udon Salad and works wonderfully with Asian-inspired flavors. Don't be intimidated - this is a whisk-and-serve situation, so you can dig in right away!

Why you’ll love this Peanut Lime Salad Dressing Recipe

• Naturally oil-free, relying on the oils from the peanut butter
• Extremely versatile dressing or dipping sauce for a range of recipes
• Tastes great on basically everything
• Much less processed than most store-bought peanut sauces
• Totally plant-based and vegan (no fish sauce here)

Peanut Dressing Ingredients

If you want to serve this dressing as a thick peanut sauce, reduce or eliminate the water. For a thinner dressing, add more. It's up to you!

• Unsalted peanut butter - I like to use real, natural peanut butter without any of the hydrogenated oils, salt, or sugar.
• Water - Add a little warm water to help thin out the sauce just enough. 
• Fresh lime juice - For that classic bright lime flavor. 
• Sweet chili sauce - For a touch of sweetness plus a little spice. 
• Rice vinegar - Adds extra tanginess. 
• Tamari soy sauce - Soy sauce is savory and umami-rich, which helps keep the dressing from being too sweet. Feel free to use coconut aminos, regular soy sauce, liquid aminos, or whichever soy sauce alternative you prefer.

How to Make Peanut Lime Dressing

No need to break out the food processor here (unless you're making your PB from scratch or something). Just give everything a quick whisk and you're ready to go! The flavors do really come together the longer the dressing sits, so try making it an hour (or the night) before you need it for maximum flavor.

• Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. 
• Serve and enjoy!

How to Store

Place any leftover dressing in an airtight container and refrigerate for 5-7 days.

The dressing will thicken in the fridge, so let it set at room temperature to soften before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Peanut Salad Dressing

• Change the nut butter. Peanut butter is just the most popular option. Feel free to use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or whatever floats your boat.
• Sweeten it. For a sweeter flavor, add maple syrup to taste.
• Add some heat. If you prefer spicy flavors, add some sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce. You can also add a little red curry paste or some fresh garlic, if you'd like.

Serving Suggestions

Everyone needs a good peanut dressing recipe. You never know when you want to make cold peanut noodle salad, hearty Asian-inspired slaw, lettuce wraps, grain bowls, and more.

I find the peanut flavor works amazingly well with a range of Asian flavors, especially Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian favorites. Serve it thick as a satay sauce for skewers or rolls or thin it out as a dressing or drizzle for countless salads. 

I adore it in this Udon Salad with cucumbers, mangos, red cabbage, and tofu. It tastes like summer in a bowl and the peanut butter transforms simple veggies into something amazing.