This is the peanut lime dressing I use in so many different ways! You can use it as a dipping sauce or add a bit of water to thin it out and use it as a peanut dressing. It's made with creamy peanut butter, fresh lime juice and fresh ginger for tons of flavor. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 😊
As a dietitian, I believe one of the best ways to enjoy vegetables is by pairing them with an amazing dressing or sauce! And peanut sauce is such a popular staple in many Asian cuisines so I love using those same flavors and turning it into a dressing to pour over my favorite veggies.
Use this peanut dressing as a salad dressing over crunchy veggies, in spring roll bowls, or in Thai chicken lettuce wraps!
More Healthy Dressings and Sauces
- Simple Lemon Dijon Maple Dressing
- Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Maple Tahini Dressing
- Ginger Lime Salad Dressing
- Healthy Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing
- Yogurt Tahini Sauce
- Healthy Big Mac Sauce
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
This peanut lime dressing is made with simple ingredients. Below are some notes and substitution ideas. The measurements can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Peanut Butter - to mimic the peanut dipping sauce normally served with spring rolls, the dressing uses peanut butter as a base. You can substitute with almond butter, cashew butter, or a seed butter like sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Lime Juice - fresh lime juice adds brightness, acidity and a bit of tang. You could do a half and half mix of fresh lime juice and fresh orange juice if you prefer.
- Garlic - you’ll be using peeled raw fresh garlic so a little bit adds lots of flavor. If you don't like the taste of garlic, feel free to leave it out. You can also substitute using ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Ginger - freshly grated ginger root is an easy way to add more flavor and a bit of spice. If you prefer, you can use ground ginger instead. Ginger helps support a healthy gut.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce - to add a salty component. If you want a gluten-free option, I suggest using coconut aminos.
- Rice Vinegar - also known simply as rice vinegar. It's a bit sweeter than other vinegars, but you can substitute with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you want.
- Honey - add a bit of sweetness to balance the other ingredients. I prefer a tablespoon honey for this recipe but you could use maple syrup, agave syrup, or your own favorite sweetener instead.
- Toasted Sesame Oil - using toasted sesame oil takes this dressing up a level but is optional.
- Red Pepper Flakes - optional to add some spice.
How to Make Peanut Lime Dressing
Below are the directions for how to make this dressing with some tips that I hope are helpful.
- Step 1: Grate the fresh ginger using a citrus zester and mince or grate the fresh garlic clove. Add the dressing ingredients to a large bowl or measuring cup.
- Step 2: Give it a quick whisk until everything is well combined and emulsified. Add one tablespoon of warm water at a time until it gets to the consistency you prefer.
Option 2: if you like a creamier dressing, you can blend the ingredients in a food processor or blender instead.
Hint: to make the peanut butter easier to mix, you can heat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Variations & Ideas for Serving
The best thing about making this versatile dressing at home is you can customize it according to your taste and serve it in so many ways. Below are some ideas!
- Spicy - double up on the red pepper flakes or add 1-2 tablespoon of sriracha sauce for a kick.
- Sweeter - add twice the amount of honey and leave out the rice vinegar if you want it to be sweeter.
- Simple Green Salad - drizzle this dressing on a salad made with greens and cucumber.
- Roasted Cauliflower - roast up a large head of cauliflower and pour this dressing over it or use it as a sauce to dip the florets in.
- Spring Roll Bowls - use this dressing to make deconstructed spring rolls with crunchy veggies like red cabbage and romaine lettuce, green onions, edamame, and rice noodles.
- Cooked Chicken - the flavor profile of this dressing goes great with chicken and veggies.
Storage for Peanut Lime Dressing
- Refrigerator- store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3-4 days.
Expert Tips
- If possible, use natural peanut butter because it tends to be more runny and easier to mix. If the peanut butter is too thick, heat it for 10-15 seconds in the microwave before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled for best results.
- Add warm water if you prefer a thinner dressing.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. The peanut butter provides some plant protein and healthy fatty acids while the lime juice, garlic, and fresh ginger provide antioxidants and vitamin C.
For sure! Maple syrup would be a great vegan option.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Peanut Lime Dressing:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Creamy Peanut Lime Dressing with Ginger, so versatile
Equipment
- 1 bowl (or food processor)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 lime (2-3 Tbsp)
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, grated
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2-4 tablespoon water, as needed to thin it out
Instructions
- Step 1: Grate the fresh ginger using a citrus zester and mince or grate the fresh garlic clove. Add the dressing ingredients to a large bowl or measuring cup.
- Step 2: Give it a quick whisk until everything is well combined and emulsified. Add one tablespoon of warm water at a time until it gets to the consistency you prefer.
- Option 2: if you like a creamier dressing, you can blend the ingredients in a food processor or blender instead.
- Hint: to make the peanut butter easier to mix, you can heat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Notes
- If possible, use natural peanut butter because it tends to be more runny and easier to mix.
- If the peanut butter is too thick, heat it for 10-15 seconds in the microwave before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled for best results.
- Refrigerator- store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up 3-4 days.
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