3 Ingredient Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

Vietnamese peanut sauce (nước sốt đậu phộng) is a versatile and flavorful condiment commonly served with dishes like fresh cold rolls (gỏi cuốn) or grilled meats in Vietnamese cuisine. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with umami, combining the nutty flavor of peanuts with the tanginess of hoisin sauce and the saltiness of fish sauce, among other ingredients.

This recipe only needs three ingredients! I bet you already have them in your pantry.

• Peanut Butter: I recommend using crunchy peanut butter for extra texture but you can use smooth peanut butter as well. The peanut better is what gives its signature creamy and nutty flavour.
• Hoisin Sauce: This sweet and salty sauce adds depth to the peanut butter, balancing out the flavours with its umami-rich profile.
• Garlic: Sautéed to infuse the sauce with a fragrant, savoury undertone.

Preparing the peanut sauce:

The sauce is usually prepared by lightly sautéing garlic then mixing in the hoisin sauce and peanut butter. Water is added to thin it to the desired consistency. The mixture is cooked until smooth and creamy. The sauce is garnished with crushed peanuts, cilantro, or chilli for extra texture and flavor. My favourite garnish is pickled ground chilli and peanuts.

HOT TIP: If you have a jar of Vietnamese pickles in the fridge, add some of the pickle juice for extra zing and tang to the sauce.

What can I pair with Vietnamese Peanut Sauce?

Vietnamese peanut sauce is most famously paired with fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn), but it can also be used as a dipping sauce for grilled meats, drizzled over noodles, or served alongside Vietnamese-style lettuce wraps. Its balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy flavors makes it an excellent complement to a variety of dishes.

---

Ingredients:

Makes 1 cup (2-3 serves)

• 1 tblsp of crunchy peanut butter
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup of water
• 2 tblsp of hoisin sauce
• Vinegar (optional)

Steps:

1. Saute garlic until fragrant.
2. Add peanut butter and a dash of water to help break it up into a saucepan over low-medium heat.
3. Continue whisking until the peanut butter has melted, add hoisin sauce.
4. Bring it to a simmer and add vinegar if you want some tanginess.
5. Continue stirring and adding water to reach your desired consistency.