Vietnamese Peanut Sauce for Spring Rolls

This Vietnamese peanut dipping sauce recipe, often referred to as "tương đậu phộng," is so easy to make with only four ingredients. It's a versatile sauce that complements a variety of dishes, particularly spring rolls, grilled meats, noodles, or salad dressing.

Growing up, Vietnamese spring rolls were one of mom's favorite things to make. I remember eating it almost weekly since it was so easy to make and so versatile. Over the years, our spring rolls have evolved with new ingredients and variations to suit our changing tastes. Yet, the one constant has always been the peanut sauce.

This spring roll sauce is savory, slightly sweet, nutty, creamy, crunchy, and spicy - everything a good dipping sauce should be.

Equipment Needed

• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Dry Measuring Cup
• Mixing Bowl
• Spoon or Rubber Spatula (to give everything a good mix)

Ingredients

• Peanut Butter: creamy or chunky, this comes down to personal preference.
• Hoisin Sauce: this is also known as "thương ăn phở" or pho sauce. Hoisin sauce can be found in the international aisle, at your local Asian grocery store, or online.
• Lime or vinegar: A slight tanginess to help balance out the sweetness of the peanut butter and the saltiness of the hoisin sauce.
• Water: The boiling water helps soften up the peanut butter and makes it easier to mix. The mixture will thicken up as it cools. Add ⅔ cup of water and then add more, if needed, to reach your desired consistency. The amount of water will vary depending on the type of peanut butter and hoisin sauce you use.
• Crushed Roasted Peanuts (Optional): this gives it a crunchy texture.
• Sriracha Sauce (Optional): you can add spice by adding sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or sliced Thai chilies.

How to Make it

Step 1: Boil water on the stove or in the microwave.

Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, add boiling water, peanut butter, hoisin sauce, and lime juice (or vinegar). Mix until well combined. [Note: The sauce will thicken up as it cools down. Add more water, if needed, to reach your desired consistency.]

Step 3: Spoon some into individual dipping bowls. Garnish with crushed roasted peanuts and sriracha.

Tips for the Best Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

• Balance Sweetness and Tanginess: Achieving the right balance between sweetness and tanginess is crucial. Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the sugar and lime juice (or rice vinegar) to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
• Adjust Spiciness: Customize the level of spiciness by adding chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or fresh chili peppers. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to your preferred heat level.
• Control Thickness: Control the thickness of the sauce by adjusting the amount of water. Add more water for a thinner consistency or less for a thicker sauce. Keep in mind that the sauce may thicken slightly as it sits and cools down, so you can adjust it before serving.
• Consider Texture: If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can add finely chopped peanuts or crushed toasted sesame seeds to the sauce. This adds both flavor and crunch.

Variations

Spicy Peanut Sauce: If you love heat, increase the amount of chili garlic sauce, and sriracha, or add finely chopped fresh chili peppers. Adjust the spiciness to your liking.

Nut Variations: If you have a peanut allergy, you can try experimenting with different types of nuts or seeds such as almond butter or cashew butter.

Nut-Free Peanut Sauce: If you want to skip nuts altogether, you can make a nut-free version using sunflower seed butter or tahini (sesame seed paste) as a peanut butter substitute.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover peanut sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last several days, and the flavors may even improve. If it thickens in the fridge, you can thin it with a little water before using.