This creamy and healthy Peanut Dressing for Noodles (or anything!) is naturally sweetened with fiber-rich dates and packed with bold flavors like fresh lime juice, tamari, and a hint of sriracha. This wholesome peanut dressing is dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and easy to make in just minutes, perfect for salads, stir-fries, or dipping. It's the ultimate healthful way to add flavor and nutrition to your favorite dishes!
Made with all healthful and flavorful ingredients, this quick and easy Peanut Dressing for Noodles (or anything!) will be a staple in your house in no time!
This healthy dressing recipe was inspired by the Stir-Fry Tofu & Veggies (Low-Carb, High-Protein) recipe on my site and my creamy Asian Tahini Dressing.
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👩🏼🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits
- Peanut butter adds heart-healthy fats to help absorb fat-soluble nutrients. A randomized controlled study found that incorporating 30 grams of peanut protein into a resistance training program enhanced muscle growth and strength in older adults, with similar benefits observed in both men and women. Peanuts are a fantastic plant-based protein source, with all 20 amino acids, including the highest amount of arginine, which supports muscle health. Notably, processing methods like roasting and boiling can increase the concentration of bioactive compounds in peanuts, making them even more beneficial. For this recipe, I recommend using roasted or boiled peanuts, but toasting raw peanuts is a great alternative. (For a nut-free option, substitute with an extra half cup of pumpkin seeds.)
- Dates are nutrient-rich, providing fiber for digestion, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Some research indicates that dates can help lower blood glucose levels, reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol. They also appear supportive of a healthy gut microbiome.
- Ginger is a powerful spice that may help lower blood sugar levels and improve long-term blood sugar control.
- Lime juice contains vitamin C which helps your body absorb non-heme iron from plant-based foods, supporting healthy blood and preventing anemia.
- Rice vinegar
- Reduced -Sodium Tamari
- Sriracha
See the printable recipe card below for quantities.
🥜 Substitutions
- Peanut butter - use any nut butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free
- Ginger - substitute with 1 teaspoon of ginger powder
- Tamari - use soy sauce or coconut aminos instead, or gluten-free tamari
- Dates - substitute with date syrup, maple syrup, or agave
- Sriracha - add more for spicy or omit for nonspicy
For more healthy dressing ideas, visit my Healthy Dressing Recipes page.
📖 How to Make Peanut Dressing for Noodles
This is an overview. The full recipe is at the bottom of the post.
- Combine: In a blender, combine peanut butter, pitted Medjool dates, fresh lime juice, ginger, rice vinegar, and water.
- Blend on high: Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed.
- For serving: Drizzle a generous amount of Peanut Dressing for Noodles with this high-protein Peanut Soba Noodles with Tofu recipe.
- For serving: Alternatively, skip the noodles and go with this low-carb Stir-Fry Tofu & Veggies bowl.
✔️ Expert Tips
- Add an extra date for a sweeter sauce.
- For nut-free: Use tahini or sunflower seed butter.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free tamari.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover Peanut Dressing for Noodles (or anything!) in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in warm water to reach your desired consistency.
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🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Yes! This peanut dressing can be prepared up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before using.
This dressing is versatile! Use it for noodle bowls, salads, spring rolls, stir-fries, or as a dip for fresh vegetables.
It's not recommended to freeze peanut dressing as it may separate and lose its creamy texture when thawed. Freshly made or refrigerated is best.
🍽️ Pairing
🫙 Related Recipes
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Peanut Dressing for Noodles (or anything!)
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Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter or nut butter, tahini, or seed butter
- ¼ cup rice vinegar (3 to 4 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce, or coconut aminos
- 3 Medjool dates pitted (or to taste)
- 1 small lime (about 2 teaspoons juice)
- 1 ½ inches ginger
- ½ teaspoon sriracha optional
- ½ cup water or as needed
Instructions
- Optional for easier blending: Soak the date in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and remove the pits.
- Blend: In a blender, combine peanut butter, ¾ of the rice vinegar, tamari, pitted Medjool dates, fresh lime juice, ginger, sriracha, and water. Blend on high until smooth, adjusting the consistency by adding more rice vinegar or water as needed to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
D says
Excellent 👌 Thank you. 😊 Please add more Tofu recipes that are Air Fried to avoid oil.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed the dressing!
Jen says
This ended up tasting very vinegary, a bit too much for my liking. It’s correct to use 1/4 cup? I used tahini instead of peanut butter but don’t think that would make a difference. Thanks!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
You might try reducing the vinegar if you are using tahini as all tahini os a bit different and yours may just require less. It may be too strong a flavor with your brand.
Katrina Hales says
This is the best sauce ever!!!! I’m drinking it!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
OMG I'm totally addicted!!! I wasn't exaggerating in the video. So glad you agree! Thank you.
Dina Anthony says
Hi, I am not sure if I am correct but most ‘raw’ peanuts (de-shelled) are actually blanched. It is hard to find truly raw peanuts, maybe due to the aflatoxin issue but I am not completely sure. I find the most peanuts in the shell are roasted. I am going to try this dressing, thank you!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
That could be true! Blanched is good. I would use a US brand where the aflatoxin issue is strictly regulated to minimize exposure.