EASY Pad Thai Sauce Recipe (Ready in Only 5 Minutes!) (2024)

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this sauce is magical. When asked about my favorite recipe in my cookbook “Beef It Up!” it is arguably the best beef pad Thai. It’s easy, healthy, and full of rich flavors, largely due to this Pad Thai Sauce.

This sauce can be used in a typical chicken or steak stir-fry, on salads, or as a dipping sauce for chicken satay, although I do have a similar peanut sauce that is equally amazing for dipping. One thing’s for sure, though — this sauce is transformative no matter what dish you add it to!

What is Pad Thai Sauce?

Pad Thai sauce is a classic Asian sauce from Thailand. It’s used in traditional pad Thai, a dish that consists of rice noodles, eggs, vegetables, and often tofu, all tossed with this sauce.

Pad Thai sauce has layers of flavor from sweet brown sugar, umami-laden soy sauce and fish sauce, acidic vinegar, and nutty creamy peanut butter.While it’s a winner in any pad Thai recipe, it can also be used to jazz up proteins, vegetables, soups, and salads.

Ingredients

All of these simple ingredients are easy to keep stocked in your kitchen so you can whip up this quick sauce any time!

• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth – The broth is the base of the sauce that gives it rich flavor. If you’re cooking for vegetarians or vegans, you can replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Light Brown Sugar – Authentic pad Thai recipes may call for palm sugar. Since that can be hard to find sometimes, we use brown sugar to give the sauce its sweet taste.
• Rice Wine Vinegar – Rice vinegar balances the sweet and savory flavors in the sauce with its acidity. If you don’t have this variety handy, you can substitute white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
• Fish Sauce – This condiment is a staple in Asian cuisine and packs a punch of umami flavor.
• Creamy Peanut Butter – Peanut butter gives the sauce its signature nutty flavor. Using creamy peanut butter makes it easier to blend.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce – Using low-sodium soy sauce makes it easier to control the saltiness of the sauce.If you’re trying to avoid wheat, be sure to look for a gluten-free variety.
• Fresh Lime Juice – Citrus gives the sauce a bit of brightness. You can also serve the sauce with lime wedges.

What To Serve With Pad Thai Sauce

In our house, there are few savory foods we won’t put pad Thai sauce on! I love to serve it as a dipping sauce for veggies like broccoli and broccolini or for vegetable spring rolls, crab rangoons, or dumplings.

It’s also a great addition to any stir-fry (we love a good shrimp stir-fry) or coconut soup — or enjoy it drizzled over Thai chicken pizza. You can also use it to liven up nearly any protein from grilled shrimp and salmon to baked chicken, tofu, and pork.

How to Make Pad Thai Sauce

In just a few quick, simple steps you can have this sauce ready to be served. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a condiment that requires less prep time!

1. Add ingredients to blender. Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth. Pulse until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is silky smooth.
3. Serve or store. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use.

Variations

You can play around with this homemade pad Thai sauce to adjust it in loads of different ways.

• Spiciness – Add sriracha, chili flakes, or chopped chiles to give it some heat.
• Tanginess – Incorporate tamarind paste into the sauce to give the sauce some tangy flavor.
• Sugar – Instead of light brown sugar, give the sauce a richer sweetness with dark brown sugar.
• Sweetness – Drizzle in some honey for a little bit of extra sweet flavor.
• Herbaceousness – Give the sauce some herbaceous flavor with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro.
• Creaminess – Make the sauce creamy by stirring in coconut milk.
• Nuttiness – Try using sesame oil or sprinkle in some sesame seeds for even more nutty flavor.

Storage and Freezing

Since this sauce stores so well, you can make plenty and keep it in the fridge or freezer for when you need it.

Make Ahead

Make this simple sauce ahead of time, then use it to dress up your meals all week long.

How to Store in the Refrigerator

Place the sauce in an airtight container or tightly sealed jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

How to Store in the Freezer

Place the sauce in a freezer-safe container, silicone ice cube tray, or a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Common Questions About Pad Thai Sauce

More Asian-Inspired Sauces

A good sauce is a great way to elevate almost any dish. Here are a few of our favorite Asian Inspired Sauces that we know you’ll love.