Peanut Sauces – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is peanut sauce?

Peanut sauce, also known as satay sauce, sambal kacang, bumbu kacang, or pecel, is a sauce made from ground-up fried or roasted peanuts. It’s popular in Indonesian and Thai cooking and is often added to meats or vegetables or served over noodles. Peanut sauce is also sometimes used as a salad dressing or a dipping sauce. 

Where did peanut sauces originate from?

In America, peanut sauce is often associated with Thai cooking. However, the truth is that many people in Thailand have never even heard of peanut sauce. Only a few traditional Thai dishes contain ground peanuts, and they are much chunkier and not at all like the peanut sauces we see in the United States. So when you see Thai peanut sauce dishes, they’re really considered American fusion cuisine.

Peanuts themselves were first grown in South America. European explorers discovered them, then brought them to Brazil and Africa, and eventually to China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia. When they arrived in Indonesia, natives there began making Asian peanut sauce as we know it. 

How are peanut sauces made?

There are many different ways to make peanut sauce, and each option creates a different flavor, texture, and consistency. Typically, a traditional peanut sauce recipe consists of:

• Ground roasted peanuts
• Coconut milk
• Soy sauce
• Galangal
• Tamarind
• Garlic

It may also include other spices such as cumin or coriander seed. Other varieties of peanut sauce may include ingredients such as:

• Lemongrass
• Fried onion
• Ginger
• Pepper
• Sugar
• Chili peppers

In the U.S. and other western cultures, peanut butter is sometimes substituted for peanuts as the main ingredient in peanut sauce. While this is convenient, it does taste a bit different from peanut sauce made in the traditional manner.

What should I look for when buying peanut sauces?

While it’s fairly simple to make your own peanut sauce at home, there are also many delicious pre-made peanut sauces available in the grocery store. This can be a huge time saver. When you use bottled peanut sauce, you can also be sure that the flavor will be the same every time.

Since there are so many different brands and styles of peanut sauce available, finding one you really like can be a bit of a challenge. While you may need to buy a few and try them out, there are some things you can look for that will help you narrow down your choices.

1. Thickness and texture

Peanut sauces will vary in thickness and texture. The best one for you will depend partially on what you’re using it for and partially on your personal preferences. Give the bottle a shake — this will give you an idea of how thick the sauce is.

2. Ingredients

As with many commercial sauces, the more natural the ingredients are, the better the sauce will likely be. Look for a sauce with ingredients you can pronounce and few if any artificial ingredients, dyes, and preservatives.

3. Salt content

If you’re watching your sodium intake, you’ll want to take a look at the label before you make your purchase. The color of the sauce is often also a good indicator. Darker sauces tend to have more soy sauce, which increases the sodium content.  

4. Gluten content

Those who are sensitive to gluten will also want to read the labels. There are some gluten-free options available, but you’ll need to look for them.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for peanut sauces via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for peanut sauce.

How to store peanut sauces

Storing your peanut sauce properly will ensure that it lasts as long as possible. When the bottle is unopened, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Simply keep it in a cool, dark place. Generally, an unopened bottle of peanut sauce will last about a year if it’s stored correctly. While it’s a good idea to keep the “use by” date in mind, it’s usually just fine for a few months after that date.

Once the bottle is opened, you’ll need to keep it in the refrigerator. As long as the top is sealed tight, it should last in the refrigerator for about six months.

If you have an opened bottle of peanut sauce that you don’t expect to use for some time, you can also freeze it. Just don’t freeze the bottle itself. Instead, transfer the sauce to an ice cube tray, freeze it, then place the cubes in a freezer bag. This way, you can thaw out the amount you need and preserve the rest. Frozen peanut sauce typically lasts for about eight months.

How to tell if peanut sauces have gone bad

If you think your peanut sauce might have gone bad, you’ll want to check for signs of spoilage. First, take a look at it. If you notice any mold, there’s a significant change in the color or texture of the sauce, or the sauce has started to separate, it’s best to throw it away. Also, take a moment to smell the sauce. If you notice a rancid or “off” smell, the sauce is likely spoiled.  

What can I substitute for peanut sauces?

If you can’t find peanut sauce in the store, your best bet is to make your own. This is fairly simple and will give you the flavor you’re looking for. 

If you don’t like peanuts or are allergic to them, there are other nut sauces to choose from. You may be able to find sauce made from almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts, or you could make one yourself. You could also make a sauce using sunflower butter or other nut butter. While this won’t give you the traditional peanut flavor, it is an option for anyone who can’t eat peanuts.

Sha Cha sauce, sometimes also called Sa Cha sauce or Char Siu sauce, is another option. This traditional Chinese barbecue sauce is made with seafood, chili peppers, shallots, and garlic. While the flavor isn’t similar to peanut sauce, it is a versatile sauce that will work in most recipes that call for peanut sauce. Shop for Sa Cha sauce.

Add peanut sauces to your next grocery order

Are you ready to start experimenting with peanut sauces? There are so many different ways to cook with them! After you find a few recipes that appeal to you, head over to Instacart.com, add all the ingredients to your grocery list, and let a professional shopper take care of the rest.

Instacart’s grocery delivery is easy, convenient, and affordable. Try it out today!

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