Every cook should have a good vegan peanut sauce recipe in their arsenal, or in this case a pea-NOT sauce!
Vegan Peanut Sauce
My first introduction to a vegan peanut sauce was from a restaurant menu many years ago. It was fabulous, and I needed to create my own version at home.
After creating a recipe, I realized I preferred using nut butters, such as almond butter and cashew butter.
In Plant-Powered Families, I developed this Zesty Raw Almond Sauce as an alternative to a vegan peanut sauce.
Readers really love it. Really. Love.
There’s something so moreish about a bowl of noodles coated in a zippy nutty sauce, with crisp-tender vegetables. It’s kicked-up comfort food!
The fact that this sauce is raw doesn’t mean you can’t heat it or otherwise cook it. Just gives you the flexibility to serve as “raw” as a dipping sauce if you like.
Also, feel free to transform this into a more traditional vegan peanut sauce simply by substituting a natural peanut butter.
OR, for a nut-free version, use tahini!
Try this sauce tossed into soba noodles, rice noodles, or spooned over cooked grains – or as a dipping sauce with veggies or rice paper veggie rolls. On to the recipe…
Enjoy, guys! x Dreena
Vegan Pea-Not! Sauce: Raw Almond Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw almond butter see note
- ½-1 tbsp peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger
- ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional; omit if needed for kiddos
- 1 medium-large clove garlic use smaller if needed for kiddos
- 3 tbsp tamari or coconut aminos
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp water plus another 1–3 tablespoons, if desired, to thin (see note)
- 1 1/2-2 tsp fresh lime zest zest limes first, then collect juices
- Extra lime wedges for servingExtra lime wedges for serving
Instructions
Using a handheld blender and a deep cup, puree the almond butter, ginger, red pepper, garlic, tamari, lime juice, maple syrup, and 2–3 tablespoons water. Add more water to thin as desired. The sauce will also thicken with refrigeration, or if it’s heated with noodles. So, thin either while blending, or simply add a little extra hot/boiled water as you work the sauce into a dish. Note that with thinning, you may want to season with a touch of salt. After pureeing, stir in the lime zest. Serve with extra lime wedges to squeeze a pop of extra lime juice on individual servings (see suggestions)!
Notes
- Nut Butter Note: If you don’t have raw almond butter, roasted almond butter can be substituted. Choose an unsalted nut butter; otherwise, you may need to reduce the tamari slightly. You can also substitute a natural peanut butter, or for a nut-free version use a good quality tahini.
- Water Note: If making this for a dip, start with just 1–2 tablespoons of water. You can also substitute coconut water or light coconut milk.
- Serving Suggestions: We love this tossed into pad Thai noodles (I use Annie Chun’s brand)—the noodles cook in just minutes! Try adding lightly cooked sliced/chopped veggies, such as sliced red bell peppers, raw ribboned carrots or zucchini (use a vegetable peeler), and/or blanched snow peas, green beans, or broccoli. Another way to enjoy this sauce is as a dip for veggies or rice paper vegetable rolls use less water and adjust to desired consistency.
food photo credit: Nicole Axworthy
Beth says
Your timing is perfect! Last week we found out that our son is highly sensitive to peanuts. Can’t wait to try this!
Jules Shepard says
Looks delicious and love that it can also be a dip!
Andrea D Rubinstein says
Directions? ? Just blend together?
Dreena says
Gosh, don’t know how that got omitted here. Happens with this recipe plugin. Now there.
Rachael says
I’m a peanut sauce addict, so I can’t wait to try this version! I’ve done a version with cashew butter, but haven’t tried almond butter! Yum!!!!
Dreena says
Oh excellent, I’m glad you’re excited to try the sauce, Rachael!
Maryellen says
My granddaughter and daughter-in-law would love this! I am wondering how long this will keep in the fridge?
Dreena says
Glad to hear it, Maryellen! This sauce keeps pretty well, I’d say up to 5 or 6 days. If it’s in an airtight container, and not opened frequently, it will keep best!