Thai peanut sauce

Thai peanut sauce, often made with cashews instead of peanuts for a creamier texture, is a rich and savory condiment originating from Thailand. It typically features a blend of roasted nuts or peanuts, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, and aromatic spices like garlic and ginger, creating a balanced flavor profile that's both sweet and savory.

🍳 View the full Thai peanut sauce recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This sauce is generally high in healthy fats and protein due to its nut base, while also providing some carbohydrates from added sweeteners or coconut milk. A typical two-tablespoon serving contains around 80-120 calories, with notable amounts of magnesium, vitamin E, and antioxidants from the nuts.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	180 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbs	10 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	350 mg
Potassium	120 mg
Magnesium	30 mg
Phosphorus	80 mg
Iron	1.2 mg
Zinc	1.0 mg
Vitamin E	2.5 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Copper	0.3 mg

Per 1/4 cup (60 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, this sauce represents Thailand's skillful balancing of contrasting flavors—sweet, salty, sour, and umami—in a single condiment. Nutritionally, using cashews instead of peanuts not only creates a smoother texture but also increases the mineral content, particularly zinc and copper, which support immune function.