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By Sarah Pilley · Published · Updated
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Thai-inspired Almond Sauce Recipe marries savory, sweet, and spicy sensations with a refreshing touch of lime and ginger. This quick and easy recipe will elevate any meal.
This almond-based sauce is perfect for those with peanut allergies. Almond sauce offers a unique blend of nutty, savory, tangy, and slightly spicy notes.
This sauce enhances everything from chickpea lettuce wraps to summer rolls to crispy tofu satay.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a homemade salad dressing, savor an almond butter noodle bowl, or add a burst of flavor to veggie stir-fries, this plant-based wonder will soon become your go-to for delicious, savory dishes.
Need a few more reasons to love it? This almond sauce recipe is:
- quick and easy to prepare.
- vegan and can easily be made gluten-free.
- perfect for using up that nearly empty almond butter jar!
Jump to:
- Why almond instead of peanut?
- Ingredients
- Directions with Pictures
- Top Tips
- Ways to Customize Almond Sauce
- What to Serve with Almond Sauce
- Storage
- More Vegan Sauces
- 📖 Recipe
Why almond instead of peanut?
Peanut sauce, while commonly associated with Thai cuisine, actually traces its roots back to Indonesia. You may also hear this sauce be called satay sauce, bumbu kacang, sambal kacang, or pecel.
This sauce is a celebrated culinary staple, boasting a rich, savory profile crafted from ground roasted or fried peanuts. It has spread its way across the world with many variations.
Almond sauce retains the essence of the beloved peanut sauce while providing a delicious alternative for those with peanut allergies.
Ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients to make creamy almond sauce:
- Almond Butter is the key ingredient in this creamy sauce. Use a variety without added sugar or salt. Natural almond butter may have an oil layer on top—just mix it in; it's a natural result of the roasting process.
- Sriracha adds heat, infusing a spicy element to the almond sauce.
- Lime Juice brings acidity and tang, balancing the richness of almond butter. Both freshly squeezed and bottled juice work.
- Soy Sauce contributes saltiness and savory depth to enhance the overall flavor. Tamari or coconut aminos can be substituted to make this sauce gluten-free.
- Water helps to thin the sauce to the desired pouring consistency.
- Ginger adds warmth and a spicy flavor that complements the lime and sriracha.
- Garlic enhances the savory taste, providing an extra kick.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Directions with Pictures
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best almond sauce:
- In a bowl, combine almond butter and 2 tablespoons of warm water.
- Whisk until the water is fully integrated with the almond butter.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the sauce.
- Whisk thoroughly until fully combined. If necessary, add an extra 2 tablespoons of warm water to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust thickness by adding water in 1-teaspoon increments if still too thick.
Top Tips
- Begin with a small amount of water and gradually add until you achieve the desired consistency. The needed amount varies based on the thickness of your almond butter.
- Don't toss that last bit of almond butter at the jar's bottom! It might be a tad drier, but a little hot water magic brings it back to life to make this creamy sauce. It's a double win—less food waste and a clean jar ready for reusing or recycling!
Ways to Customize Almond Sauce
Here are a few ways to customize this easy sauce:
- Spice It Up - Easily control the heat by adding more sriracha or a sprinkle of chili flakes.
- Fresh and Zesty - Infuse a fresher vibe using fresh ginger and garlic, elevating the sauce with lively flavors.
- Tangy Twist - Swap lime juice for rice vinegar to add a different tangy dimension to the almond sauce.
- Creamy Indulgence - Introduce coconut milk for an extra creamy texture, adding a luscious richness to the sauce.
- Handcrafted Authenticity - Instead of store-bought almond butter, begin with roasted whole almonds! Grind them using a traditional stone mortar and pestle for an authentic texture reminiscent of classic peanut sauce.
- Nut Butter Swap - Substitute almond butter with cashew butter or peanut butter for a different but equally tasty twist. For a nut-free option, go for natural sunflower seed butter or tahini. The overall taste will slightly vary from one option to the other.
What to Serve with Almond Sauce
Here are some of my favorite ways to use almond sauce:
- Noodle Dish - Create a creamy dinner delight by tossing over rice noodles with carrots and peppers.
- Satay Sauce - Dip tofu satay into this flavorful concoction for an extra tasty meal.
- Wrap Drizzle - Elevate chickpea lettuce wraps, drizzling the sauce over fresh mango and pepper for a burst of flavor.
- Tofu Dip - Enjoy a speedy snack by using the sauce as a dip for tofu bites.
- Roll Sauce - Dip into the deliciousness with this sauce accompanying spring or summer rolls.
- Rice Bowl Kick - Amp up rice or quinoa bowls with a spicy kick, transforming them into a flavorful experience.
- Salad Dressing - Turn ordinary salads into extraordinary by using the sauce as a dressing.
- Veggie Toss - Transform roasted veggies like zucchini into a delectable side dish by tossing them in this savory sauce.
Storage
Store homemade almond sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Almond sauce is ready to use directly from the fridge. If it thickens, simply stir in a splash of warm water before serving. Alternatively, heat the sauce in short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature.
More Vegan Sauces
- Maple Dijon Vinaigrette (Easy Vegan Recipe)
- Easy Vegan Aioli Recipe (Quick Egg-Free Sauce)
- Vegan Avocado Ranch Dressing (Easy Oil-Free Recipe)
- Best Homemade Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Almond Sauce Recipe
Thai-inspired Almond Sauce Recipe marries savory, sweet, and spicy sensations with a refreshing touch of lime and ginger. This quick and easy recipe will elevate any meal.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 5
Author: Sarah Pilley
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond butter or other nut or seed butter
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or to taste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger or ¼ teaspoon fresh grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons warm water more if needed
Instructions
In a bowl, combine almond butter and 2 tablespoons of warm water.
Whisk until the water is fully integrated with the almond butter.
Add the remaining ingredients to the sauce.
Whisk thoroughly until fully combined. If necessary, add an extra 2 tablespoons of warm water to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust thickness by adding water in 1-teaspoon increments if still too thick.
Notes
See more expert tips, pictures, and variations above for making the best almond sauce!
Yield: about ⅔ cup
Serving Size: about 2 tablespoons
Storage: Store homemade almond sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Reheating: Almond sauce is ready to use directly from the fridge, but if it thickens, simply stir in a splash of warm water before serving. Alternatively, heat the sauce in short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature.
Make it Nut-Free:Use sunflower butter instead of almond butter to keep this recipe nut-free.
Did you make this recipe? Share your experience! Mention @AlternativeDish on Instagram or Facebook, or drop a comment below—I'd love to hear from you!
Nutrition
Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
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