Indonesian Satay Sauce (Print Version)

Creamy, flavorful sauce blending peanut butter, coconut milk, lime, and spices for versatile use.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (unsweetened, unsalted preferred)
02 - 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

→ Seasonings

03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
05 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or palm sugar)
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
08 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
09 - ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Optional

11 - 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional for non-vegetarian version)
12 - 2 tablespoons water, as needed for thinning

# Directions:

01 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together peanut butter and coconut milk until smooth and fully incorporated.
02 - Add soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, chili flakes, and salt; stir to blend evenly.
03 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking; cook for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce thickens and develops a glossy texture.
04 - Taste the sauce and modify seasoning as desired by adding more lime juice for acidity, sugar for sweetness, or chili flakes for heat.
05 - Whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to achieve preferred consistency.
06 - Remove from heat and stir in fish sauce if using.
07 - Allow sauce to cool slightly before using as a dip or drizzling over grilled items or vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes, no special equipment or culinary degree required.
  • One sauce that transforms grilled chicken, tofu, or vegetables into something genuinely exciting.
  • You control the heat, sweetness, and tang—it bends to your mood, not the other way around.
02 -
  • Don't skip the simmering step; raw peanut butter tastes raw, but a few minutes of gentle heat transforms it into something silky and unified.
  • Taste as you go—this sauce is forgiving, and small adjustments make the difference between good and unforgettable.
03 -
  • Don't let the sauce sit in the fridge without a plan—it hardens as it cools, but five seconds on the stove with a whisk brings it right back to life.
  • If you're making this vegetarian, the fish sauce is optional, but a teaspoon of it adds a depth that's genuinely hard to replicate without it—consider it the secret handshake between good and incredible.
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