Authentic Vietnamese Peanut Sauce (Less than 5 Ingredients!)

This authentic Vietnamese peanut sauce recipe uses only a handful of ingredients that will be delicious paired with fresh spring rolls.

Vietnamese spring rolls (sometimes called summer rolls) with peanut sauce is DELICIOUS. I'm going to share with your our family's recipe for a delicious spicy peanut based dipping sauce. It is the PERFECT sauce for pairing with this authentic vietnamese spring roll recipe. I've tested and tweaked this recipe for the last three decades of my life, and it is absolutely perfect now.

You may think that this recipe is hard to make, but have no fear, this recipe calls for only a handful of ingredients you already have in your cupboard. The recipe I'm sharing with you does not require you to go to a local Asian market.

All of the ingredients that you find in this peanut sauce recipe can be found at your local grocer without a special trip (even though I highly recommend you going to an Asian market at least once in your lifetime).

Spring rolls are one of the freshest appetizers out there (besides salad). By pairing it with the contrasting peanut sauce, you are going to invite a fresh flavor explosion in your mouth.

The traditional standard dipping sauce for summer rolls is peanut sauce. There is also a sweet chilli sauce that is used less frequently, but is commonly added to most Vietnamese restaurant menus.

Moreover, I know that some people have a reaction to the smell of fish sauce, so as an added benefit, this recipe for peanut sauce does not require any of it! No weird ingredients, and no fish sauce. That's a win in most westerner's books looking to explore new flavors.

In my opinion, peanut sauce is the way to go if you are trying to eat Vietnamese spring rolls in the most authentic way possible.

My recipe does not call for hoisin sauce because I feel like it gives it a more tart taste than my taste buds tend to like. It's also one less ingredient to use! This peanut sauce is thick and creamy and complemented with sweetness from the added sugar.

This recipe makes for a LOT of sauce. That just means you will have a lot of leftovers. And remember, you CANNOT premake spring rolls, you must eat them fresh.

Spicy peanut sauce dipping sauce on the other hand can last at least 7 days in the fridge!

Table of Contents

How to Make Authentic Vietnamese Peanut Sauce (the Easy Way)

Ingredients for Homemade Vietnamese Peanut Sauce for Dipping Spring Rolls

1 cup of water
2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of Sriracha sauce
½ teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons of fried garlic (optional, see image below)
6 tablespoons of peanut butter

Fried garlic is THE secret ingredient to a delicious peanut sauce recipe. It is OPTIONAL and may require you to go to the store. BUT it is totally worth it. Do not use minced garlic or powdered garlic, just go without if you do not have this on hand.

This is pretty much a staple, kind of like fried onion rings that you put on a green bean casserole.

Fried garlic inside of a peanut sauce recipe is the SECRET ingredient that gives the sauce it's zing.

Step by Step Instructions on Mixing Vietnamese Peanut Dipping Sauce

Step 1 | Water, Sugar, Salt Mixture

Use a soup pot to start mixing in the ingredients. Mix the sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves and blends.

Step 2 - Add in Sriracha sauce

Add in Sriracha sauce to add the spicy!

Step 3 - Mix in Peanut Butter

Put the pot on low on the stove. Next, mix in peanut butter and gradually mix it until it's smooth. Add in the fried garlic. Whisk until smooth and your desired consistency has been reached.

You'll know when it is ready when you take out your stirrer and it drips the sauce! Taste and adjust as needed, it is a very forgiving recipe (like most recipes of mine are).

If you want to, you can garnish with crushed peanuts and cilantro!

[mv_create key="3" title="Homemade Vietnamese Peanut Sauce for Dipping Spring Rolls" type="recipe"]

How do you thicken peanut sauce?

You can whisk in a little more water over a low stove until the desired consistency has been reached.

A Few Other Ways to Use Authentic Vietnamese Peanut Sauce

If you have leftover peanut sauce and aren't quite ready to part with it, there are a few different ways you can use it for other meals that week.

Spring Salad Dressing

Yes, use the peanut dipping sauce as a dressing! Just get a bag of spring mix, add some grilled chicken, and add this peanut sauce on top. It is absolutely delicious!

Stir Fry Noodle Recipe

All you need is some rice noodles, chinese broccoli, chicken and this peanut sauce. Create a quick stir fry by sizzling some vegetable oil with fried garic. Add in the chicken until no longer pink. Add in the chinese broccoli. Top with this delicious spicy peanut sauce recipe!

Peanut sauce is used in so many regional dishes, like Indonesian, Netherland, Portuguese, Thai, and Vietnamese recipes.

This is an easy spicy authentic Vietnamese peanut sauce recipe that is perfect for dipping, drizzling, and devouring. It comes together in less than 15 minutes and tastes way better than the store bought variety.

More Easy Vietnamese Recipes You’ll Love

If you love this Vietnamese peanut sauce recipe as much as our family does, please write a five star review and help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!