Spicy Szechuan Peanut Sauce

Transform your meals with this bold and flavorful Spicy Szechuan Peanut Sauce, a perfect blend of creamy peanut butter, aromatic Szechuan peppercorns, and the spicy kick of chili oil. Infused with soy sauce, hoisin, and a touch of honey or brown sugar for a harmonious balance of savory, sweet, and spicy, this versatile sauce is ready in just 15 minutes. Toasted Szechuan peppercorns and freshly grated ginger elevate the depth of flavor, while optional crushed red pepper flakes let you customize the heat to your liking. Whether drizzled over noodles, used as a marinade, or served as a dipping sauce, this silky, rich sauce will bring restaurant-quality flair to your favorite dishes. Easily adjustable for desired consistency and garnished with scallions for a pop of freshness, this recipe is a must-try for Asian-inspired cuisine lovers.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or natural)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
• 1 tablespoon chopped scallions (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Toast the Szechuan peppercorns in a small dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Crush them gently using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a knife.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Step 3

Add the toasted Szechuan peppercorns and chili oil to the mixture.

Step 4

Slowly whisk in the water, a little at a time, to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency.

Step 5

Stir in the toasted sesame oil and, if desired, the crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add more soy sauce for saltiness, honey for sweetness, or chili oil for heat).

Step 7

If using as a dipping sauce, transfer to a serving bowl. If using for noodles or as a marinade, add the sauce directly to the dish.

Step 8

Garnish with chopped scallions before serving if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(343.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1131.3

Total Fat 93.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 0.5mg	0%
Sodium 2518.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 33.3g
Protein 35.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 113.1mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 994.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.3%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 18.8%