Name: Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet)
Prep time: 6 min
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 3/4 Cup
Ingredients: 0.33 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened); 3 tbsp lime juice (about 2 limes); 1.5 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari); 0.25 cup water (plus more to thin); 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1 clove garlic (finely grated)

Question 1

Why is my Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet) My sauce is way too thick, more like a paste.?

Accepted Answer

My sauce is way too thick, more like a paste.. Ah, that happens. Peanut butter needs a little help to become a sauce. Just add a tablespoon of water at a time, whisking well after each addition. You're looking for that beautiful, pourable consistency.

Question 2

Why is my Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet) This tastes really salty, or maybe too sharp.?

Accepted Answer

This tastes really salty, or maybe too sharp.. It's easy for the saltiness or tang to sneak up. Brands of lime and soy sauce can really vary! Try whisking in a tablespoon of water and a small spoonful of peanut butter. That should help bring everything back into balance.

Question 3

Why is my Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet) My sauce is lumpy or gritty after the first step.?

Accepted Answer

My sauce is lumpy or gritty after the first step.. Don't worry, we can fix that. It usually means the peanut butter wasn't fully incorporated, or it was a bit too cold. Keep whisking vigorously right where you are. If those lumps are stubborn, gently warm the mixture over low heat while you whisk until it's smooth. Then, you can move on.

Question 4

Why is my Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet) Whoops, my sauce is too thin and watery now.?

Accepted Answer

Whoops, my sauce is too thin and watery now.. Too much water, too fast, I bet. No problem, we can rescue it. Whisk in a tablespoon of peanut butter at a time until it thickens up nicely. If the flavor feels a bit off after that, a tiny splash more lime or soy can help rebalance, but focus on that peanut butter for thickening.

Question 5

Why is my Peanut Lime Sauce (Creamy, Not Sweet) The lime or soy sauce is really overpowering.?

Accepted Answer

The lime or soy sauce is really overpowering.. It sounds like the balance is a bit off, maybe too much of those bright flavors or not quite enough water to mellow them. If it's too thin, adding a bit more peanut butter will help. If it's already the right consistency, a tiny touch of honey or sugar can round out the sharpness, if you're okay with a hint of sweetness. A splash more water might also help dilute it if it's very thick.

Peanut Lime Sauce

Peanut Lime Sauce

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The Setup

The Mise en Place

The Pantry (0/2)

The Finish (0/1)

Other (0/1)

Optional Heat (0/1)

Prep Ahead

If Things Go Wrong

My sauce is way too thick, more like a paste.

This tastes really salty, or maybe too sharp.

Chef's Notes

The Method

WHISK

THIN

Related Techniques

Mise en Place

Appears in collections

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