Easy Hoisin Peanut Butter Sauce Dressing or Dip

This easy hoisin peanut butter sauce combines creamy natural peanut butter with honey, sesame oil, and a kiss of molasses for deep umami flavor that works perfectly as a dip, dressing, or cooking sauce with Asian lettuce wraps, spring roll bowls, or warm stir fry.

ByNicole Bonilla
Dairy-Free diet-friendly recipe
Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
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Homemade hoisin peanut butter sauce in a small mason jar.

This easy hoisin peanut butter sauce combines creamy natural peanut butter with honey, sesame oil, and a kiss of molasses for deep umami flavor. What makes this recipe special is that everything mixes together instantly—no cooking required! It’s become our go-to sauce for Asian lettuce wraps, Vietnamese spring rolls, rice paper rolls, and even as a quick stir-fry sauce for our favorite vermicelli rice bowls.

My family loves dipping fresh vegetables in it for a quick snack, and I appreciate how I can adjust the consistency with just a tablespoon of water, depending on how we’re using it. The secret ingredient is a touch of molasses that gives it that restaurant-quality depth without hours of simmering on medium heat.

Why You’ll Love This Hoisin Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe

  • Quick and simple preparation: Just combine and whisk—no cooking required for this instant sauce.
  • Incredibly versatile: Works as a dip for Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, dressing, marinade, or stir-fry sauce with just minor adjustments.
  • Clean ingredients: Made with natural peanut butter and simple pantry staples that are the main ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine.
  • Customizable flavor: Easily adjust sweetness, thickness of the sauce, and spice level to suit your personal preference.
All the ingredients to make hoisin peanut butter sauce.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make hoisin peanut butter sauce:

Soy Sauce: Provides the essential savory, umami base and salty flavour for the sauce. Substitute with tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative.

Creamy Peanut Butter: Creates the smooth texture and nutty flavor foundation. Almond butter or other nut butters work well for those with peanut allergies.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness that balances the savory elements. Maple syrup or agave nectar make excellent vegan alternatives.

Sesame Oil: Contributes that distinctive nutty, toasted flavor essential to Asian-inspired sauces. Avocado oil can work in a pinch, though you’ll miss some of the characteristic flavor.

Rice Vinegar: Provides a gentle acidity that brightens all the flavors. Apple cider vinegar or lime juice can be substituted if needed.

Molasses: The secret ingredient that adds deep, complex sweetness and color. Brown sugar or dark honey can be substituted, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

Grated Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy bite that cuts through the richness. Ground ginger (¼ teaspoon) works if fresh isn’t available, or you can add 1-2 cloves of garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.

Salt and Pepper: Enhances all the other flavors. Sea salt or kosher salt work best for clean flavor.

Optional Add-ins: For a fresh touch, try adding chopped fresh mint, green onions, or a little bit of lime juice.

Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet

This recipe is naturally easy to tweak! Follow these simple swaps to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan while keeping the same great texture and flavor.

Gluten-Free: Swap regular soy sauce for tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce. This is the traditional way to make the sauce accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.

Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free as written, perfect for daily values in a balanced diet.

Vegan: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for the same level of sweetness. This makes it compatible with vegan recipes breakfast through dinner.

💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked in the comments!

Hoisin peanut butter sauce dripping of a spoon.

How to Make My Hoisin Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a medium bowl, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, ¼ teaspoon salt, and a dash of black pepper to the bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined.

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. For more sweetness, add additional honey. For more saltiness, add a touch more soy sauce. For spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Adding all the ingredients to a mixing bowl.
A small bowl of hoisin peanut butter sauce in a spring roll bowl.

Expert Recipe Tips

Room temperature peanut butter: Using peanut butter at room temperature makes it much easier to incorporate smoothly into the sauce.

Quality matters for depth: Use a good quality soy sauce and sesame oil for the best flavor – these two ingredients create the foundation of authentic Asian flavor.

Make it in advance: This sauce actually improves after sitting for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Flavor balance test: Taste your sauce before adding extra salt. Different brands of peanut butter and soy sauce contain varying amounts of sodium, so you might not need any additional salt at all. Check for a balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and nutty flavors.

Delicious Serving Suggestions

  • Vietnamese spring rolls (gỏi cuốn): I like to serve this as a perfect dipping sauce with fresh spring rolls. You’ll love it because the creamy texture perfectly complements the crisp vegetables and herbs.
  • Rice bowls: Drizzle this sauce over vermicelli rice bowls topped with grilled chicken, pork belly and vegetables. I love how it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
  • Lettuce wraps: Use as a sauce for chicken or tofu lettuce wraps. You’ll appreciate how it adds moisture and flavor to each bite without overpowering the filling.
  • Vegetable dip: I serve this with a platter of sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots. You’ll love how it makes eating vegetables feel like a treat rather than an obligation.
  • Noodle salad dressing: Toss with cold rice noodles and shredded vegetables for a quick lunch. The sauce clings perfectly to the noodles, ensuring flavor in every bite.
  • Cold rolls: My favorite way to enjoy this classic dipping sauce is with homemade cold rolls—a great recipe for summer gatherings.
  • Asian Chicken Filling: Add this to my Asian Ground Chicken Filling for a delicious protein with your lunch or dinner.

Refrigerate properly: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The flavors actually develop and improve after a day or two!

Consistency changes: The sauce will thicken when cold, so let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before using, or thin with a splash of water.

Freezer-friendly option: Portion into ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw a cube or two whenever you need a quick flavor boost.

Reviving the sauce: If separation occurs after storage, simply whisk vigorously or blend for a few seconds to restore the smooth texture.

Leftover hoisin peanut sauce: Use your leftover sauce to marinate protein for your next meal—it doesn’t take a lot of time but adds incredible flavor.

How can I make this sauce spicier?
You can add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or tsp sambal oelek for a bright, fresh heat. For a deeper spice, try adding ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a small drizzle of chili oil. I’ve found that adding the spice elements after everything else is combined lets me control the heat level perfectly. Start with a small amount and taste as you go—you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Why is my sauce too thick?
This usually happens when using natural peanut butter that’s been refrigerated or has separated. I’ve learned that bringing the peanut butter to room temperature and stirring it well before measuring makes a huge difference. If your sauce is already too thick, gradually add a tablespoon of hot water, while whisking until you reach your desired slightly runny texture. For a silky-smooth texture, I sometimes use a small saucepan to warm all ingredients together, which helps achieve perfect integration.

How can I use this sauce in a stir-fry?
I’ve found two great methods for using this as a stir-fry sauce. The first is to simply toss it with your cooked protein and vegetables at the very end of cooking—about 1-2 minutes before serving. For a thicker sauce that clings better to ingredients, I mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir this slurry into ¼ cup of the sauce before adding to the hot pan. It thickens beautifully in about 30 seconds over medium heat.

Is this sauce similar to what I’d get at Vietnamese restaurants?
The sauce you get at Vietnamese restaurants (often called nuoc leo or used in goi cuon) typically has a slightly thinner consistency and sometimes includes hoisin and peanuts as separate components rather than being fully integrated. My version combines these elements for convenience while maintaining authentic flavors. I’ve had guests who actually prefer this homemade version because it has a fresher taste and you can adjust the sweetness and texture exactly to your preference. Some Vietnamese restaurants add coconut milk for creaminess, which you could also try adding (2 tablespoons) for a richer variation that complements vietnamese cuisine beautifully.

Do you love homemade sauce? Check out more of my easy and savory sauce recipes:

More Sauce Recipes

Homemade hoisin peanut butter sauce in a small mason jar.

Easy Hoisin Peanut Butter Sauce Dressing or Dip

Dairy-Free diet-friendly recipe
Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
This easy hoisin peanut butter sauce combines creamy natural peanut butter with honey, sesame oil, and a kiss of molasses for deep umami flavor that works perfectly as a dip, dressing, or cooking sauce with Asian lettuce wraps, spring roll bowls, or warm stir fry.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 5
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (natural)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (Tamari for GF)
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
  • pinch salt
  • dash black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, ¼ teaspoon salt, and a dash of black pepper to the bowl. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined.
    Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. For more sweetness, add additional honey. For more saltiness, add a touch more soy sauce. For spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Video

Notes

Room temperature peanut butter: Using peanut butter at room temperature makes it much easier to incorporate smoothly into the sauce.
Quality matters for depth: Use a good quality soy sauce and sesame oil for the best flavor – these two ingredients create the foundation of authentic Asian flavor.
Make it in advance: This sauce actually improves after sitting for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Flavor balance test: Taste your sauce before adding extra salt. Different brands of peanut butter and soy sauce contain varying amounts of sodium, so you might not need any additional salt at all. Check for a balance of sweet, salty, tangy, and nutty flavors.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 444mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Chinese food, hoisin sauce
Did you make this recipe and love it?Please let me know in the comments below how it turned out 🙂
Dietitian Reviewed and Endorsed logo

This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.

3 Comments

5 from 2 votes

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