Spicy Peanut Dressing for Buddha Bowls
If you love a creamy, nutty, and slightly spicy kick, this Spicy Peanut Dressing is the perfect addition to your Buddha Bowl! It’s packed with bold flavors from peanut butter, garlic, ginger, lime, and a touch of heat from sriracha or chili flakes. This dressing pairs beautifully with grains, roasted veggies, tofu, and chickpeas, adding a rich, umami depth to your meal.
Why You’ll Love This Dressing:
✔ Creamy & Rich – A luscious, velvety texture that coats every bite.
✔ Spicy & Tangy – The perfect balance of heat, citrus, and umami.
✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 5 minutes, using pantry staples.
✔ Versatile – Great for Buddha Bowls, salads, stir-fries, or dipping!
Spicy Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter for variation
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey, if not strictly vegan
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger fresh preferred
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for extra heat
- 2-4 tablespoons water to thin out, as needed
Instructions
Blend or Whisk the Ingredients
- In a small bowl or blender, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, maple syrup, sriracha, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Whisk well until smooth and creamy.
Adjust the Consistency
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, whisking until the dressing reaches your desired thickness.
- For a drizzle-able sauce, aim for a smooth, pourable consistency.
Taste & Adjust
- Add more sriracha or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Balance with more lime juice for tanginess or maple syrup for sweetness.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Drizzle over Buddha Bowls, roasted veggies, salads, noodles, or grilled tofu.
Notes
Thickened Sauce? Add a splash of warm water and stir before serving.
Variations & Substitutions ✔ Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini.
✔ Milder Version: Reduce sriracha and omit red pepper flakes.
✔ Extra Citrus Kick: Add more lime juice or a splash of orange juice.
✔ Sweeter Twist: Increase maple syrup for a slightly sweeter balance. How to Use Spicy Peanut Dressing Buddha Bowls: Drizzle over grains, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and veggies.
Salads: Toss with shredded cabbage, carrots, and fresh herbs.
Noodles: Use as a sauce for soba or rice noodles.
Stir-Fries: Mix into veggie or tofu stir-fries. Dipping Sauce: Serve with spring rolls or dumplings. This Spicy Peanut Dressing will take your Buddha Bowl to the next level!
Nutrition
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Thickened Sauce? Add a splash of warm water and stir before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
✔ Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini.
✔ Milder Version: Reduce sriracha and omit red pepper flakes.
✔ Extra Citrus Kick: Add more lime juice or a splash of orange juice.
✔ Sweeter Twist: Increase maple syrup for a slightly sweeter balance.
How to Use Spicy Peanut Dressing
- 🌿 Buddha Bowls: Drizzle over grains, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and veggies.
- 🥕 Salads: Toss with shredded cabbage, carrots, and fresh herbs.
- 🍜 Noodles: Use as a sauce for soba or rice noodles.
- 🥡 Stir-Fries: Mix into veggie or tofu stir-fries.
- 🥢 Dipping Sauce: Serve with spring rolls or dumplings.
This Spicy Peanut Dressing will take your Buddha Bowl to the next level!
