Satay Peanut Sauce

Name: Satay Peanut Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Indonesian/Malaysian
Ingredients: Roasted peanuts, ground — 200 g (1.5 cups); Shallots and garlic, minced — 2 and 3 cloves; Fresh red chiles — 2; Coconut milk — 200 ml (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp); Tamarind paste — 15 g (1 tbsp); Palm sugar or brown sugar — 30 g (2 tbsp); Kaffir lime leaves — 2; Water — 150 ml (2/3 cup)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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15 min

Prep

20 min

Cook

Ingredients

Roasted peanuts, ground — 200 g (1.5 cups)
Shallots and garlic, minced — 2 and 3 cloves
Fresh red chiles — 2
Coconut milk — 200 ml (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp)
Tamarind paste — 15 g (1 tbsp)
Palm sugar or brown sugar — 30 g (2 tbsp)
Kaffir lime leaves — 2
Water — 150 ml (2/3 cup)

Method

Blend or process shallots, garlic and chiles to a paste.
Heat a little oil in a saucepan; fry the paste over medium heat until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Add ground peanuts, coconut milk and water; stir to combine.
Add tamarind paste, palm sugar and lime leaves; simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
Adjust consistency with more water if too thick; season with salt to taste.

Cultural Background: A rich, spiced peanut sauce found across Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, satay peanut sauce accompanies grilled skewered meats, its exact composition varying by region but always anchored by ground roasted peanuts and warm aromatics.

Tips: • Stir frequently, especially as the sauce thickens, since ground peanut sauces can scorch easily on the bottom of the pan. • Freshly ground roasted peanuts give a noticeably better texture and flavour than pre-made peanut butter.

Variations: • Add a spoonful of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) for an Indonesian-style variation. • Use Thai red curry paste as the aromatic base for a Thai-style satay sauce.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently, adding water if too thick. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 150 kcal, 5 g protein, 12 g fat, 6 g carbohydrate per 60 ml serving.

FAQs: What is satay sauce traditionally served with? Grilled skewered meats (satay/sate), a hugely popular dish across Southeast Asia. Can I use peanut butter instead of grinding peanuts myself? Yes, natural unsweetened peanut butter is a convenient substitute, though fresh-ground roasted peanuts give a more textured, authentic result.