This Trader Joe’s Thai peanut dressing recipe is nothing but love for the cult-favorite in a bottle. This peanut Thai dressing, well, it’s like gold and elevates almost anything it touches. It’s sweet, a tad savory, very slightly spicy, and seriously addictive. You can make TJ’s peanut dressing copycat recipe right at home with some Asian pantry staples!
Updated on February 2, 2026
Enter this Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Dressing Copycat Recipe—my go-to sauce for drizzling, dipping, tossing, and obsessing over. It’s peanut-ty, but not too creamy. Plus, it’s naturally vegan and gluten-optional (just sub your soy sauce!).
Let’s make your fridge a little more exciting.
Get the lineup and don’t miss these ones I love so much like Japanese miso dressing, classic vegan Asian dressing, and goma Sesame seed Dressing
Why You’ll Love This Thai Style Peanut Dressing
This recipe tastes like the original peanut Thai dressing from Trader Joe’s, but it’s fresh made, natural, and easy to customize to your liking.
It takes under 10 minutes and you’ll want to pour it on everything—from salad bowls to tofu satay, noodles, make as a dip for spring rolls, and more.
This TJ’s Thai peanut sauce copycat is:
- Creamy and rich from real peanut butter – BUT not too creamy so it’s actually lower fat than other peanut dressings.
- Balanced with sweetness from blue agave sweetener instead of using corn syrups or fake sugars.
- Spiced just right with all natural chili flakes, garlic, and ginger
- Easy and fast to make! You just need a blender or food processor.
Ingredients for Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Dressing Copycat
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this TJs Thai style peanut dressing at home. Simple, real ingredients. No preservatives. Just flavor.
Recipe Yield: Makes about 1 ½ cups of dressing.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Creamy Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is the base of the dressing, giving it richness, body, and that signature nutty flavor. Both natural and no-stir peanut butter work well—natural peanut butter delivers a more pronounced peanut taste, while no-stir creates a slightly smoother, more consistent texture.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce adds savory depth and umami, balancing the sweetness of the peanut butter and agave. Tamari or coconut aminos can be used for a gluten-free option without sacrificing flavor.
Blue Agave Syrup
Blue agave syrup provides a clean, mild sweetness that blends smoothly into the dressing. It balances the salty soy sauce and tangy vinegars without overpowering the peanut flavor, keeping the dressing light and well-rounded.
Molasses
Molasses adds depth and complexity with subtle caramel and smoky notes. Used in a small amount, it enhances the dressing’s richness and gives it that slightly dark, restaurant-style flavor often found in store-bought peanut sauces.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar adds gentle acidity with a slightly sweet, mellow tang. It brightens the dressing without being too sharp, helping balance the creamy peanut base.
White Vinegar
White vinegar adds a sharper, cleaner acidity that lifts the overall flavor. Combined with rice vinegar, it creates a balanced tang that keeps the dressing from tasting heavy.
Toasted Sesame Oil
Toasted sesame oil adds a warm, nutty aroma and authentic Asian-inspired flavor. A small amount goes a long way, enhancing the peanut butter without overpowering it.
Water
Water thins the dressing to a pourable, creamy consistency. It allows you to control the thickness—add more for a lighter drizzle or keep it thicker for dipping and noodle bowls.
Fresh Grated Ginger
Ginger adds brightness and a subtle spicy warmth that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter. Fresh ginger provides the most vibrant flavor, while ground ginger works well as a convenient alternative.
Garlic
Garlic adds savory depth and sharpness, giving the dressing a more complex, well-balanced flavor. Fresh garlic brings a bold bite, while garlic powder offers a smoother, more subtle option.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds add a light crunch and extra nutty flavor. While optional, they enhance texture and give the dressing a more finished, restaurant-quality feel.
Red Chili Flakes
Red chili flakes add gentle heat and a touch of spice. Adjust the amount to your preference for a mild kick or a more noticeable heat.
The Ingredient List
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (natural or no-stir both work)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 3 tablespoons blue agave syrup
- 1/2 tablespoon molasses (for depth and sweetness)
- 3/4 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 cup water (plus more to thin, if needed)
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or ¼ tsp ground ginger)
- 1/2 small garlic clove, minced (or ¼ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of red chili flakes (more or less depending on your spice level)
Tip: Want it extra creamy? Add 1 tablespoon of coconut milk or plain non-dairy yogurt.
Equipment
You will need the following to make this dressing smooth:
- Blender or Food Processor
- OR a bowl and whisk
How to Make Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Salad Dressing at Home
1: Mix the Base
In a medium bowl or food processor, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, agave syrup, molasses, sesame oil, and water. Whisk until mostly smooth (takes several minutes to get everything blended).
2: Add the Flavor Layers
Add in the rice vinegar, white vinegar, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Whisk or blend again until creamy and emulsified.
3: Adjust to Taste
Taste and tweak! Add a splash more rice vinegar if you want it tangier, more agave for sweetness, or a dash of water to thin the consistency.
4: Stir in the Sesame Seeds
Stir in sesame seeds at the end for that classic speckled look and nutty crunch.
5: Store It
Pour into a clean jar or airtight dressing sauce container and refrigerate. It keeps well for up to 7 days, but good luck making it last that long.
How to Use Copycat Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Dressing
This Trader Joe’s Thai peanut salad dressing is your weeknight go-to. Use it to:
- Dress a rainbow noodle salad or inspired Chinese Chicken Salad with chopped cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro
- Toss over Japanese cucumber salad
- Toss with rice noodles and shredded veggies for a quick Thai-style noodle salad
- Drizzle it over chicken thighs
- Mix it in copycat Trader Joes Asian vegetable stir fry
- Use as a dipping sauce for Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, avocado rolls, tofu fresh spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled chicken skewers
- Spread on wraps or salmon bowls for a bold, nutty flavor boost
Make an Easy TJ’s Chinese Crunch Salad with this Peanut Dressing
- lettuce
- carrots
- this recipe’s peanut dressing
- crunchy chow mein noodle salad topper
- grilled chicken
Tips & Customizations
- If it thickens in the fridge, whisk in water to thin it out.
- Nut-free? Sub sunflower seed butter or tahini
- Extra spice? Add sriracha or Thai chili sauce, aka sambal oelek
- Make it thicker for dipping by reducing the water
- Want it creamy like the bottle? A touch of Greek yogurt (or plant-based) helps
- Love citrus? Add a splash of lime juice for more tangy notes
Common Questions
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Sure! It’ll give it more texture. Just know it won’t be as smooth as the bottle version.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It stores beautifully in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good shake or stir before using.
What’s the best substitute for molasses?
You can use brown sugar or maple syrup, but molasses adds that distinct richness, depth, and caramelization.
Is this gluten-free?
It can be! Just use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
Once you taste this Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Dressing Copycat Recipe, you’ll never need to run to the store for the bottle again. It’s cheaper, fresher, and full of bold, real flavor. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable for your spice level, diet, and cravings.
Let me know in the comments how you use your homemade peanut Thai dressing from Trader Joe’s—and don’t forget to share or pin this recipe for later.
Trader Joe’s Thai Peanut Dressing Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- food processor or blender or whisk and bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter natural or no-stir both work
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons blue agave syrup
- ½ tablespoon molasses
- ¾ tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ½ cup water plus more to thin, if needed
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ small garlic clove minced (or ¼ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional but recommended
- Pinch red chili flakes more or less depending on your spice level
Instructions
Mix the Base
- In a medium bowl or food processor, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, agave syrup, molasses, sesame oil, and water. Whisk until mostly smooth (takes several minutes to get everything blended).¼ cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons blue agave syrup, ½ tablespoon molasses, ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil, ½ cup water
Add the Flavor Layers
- Add in the rice vinegar, white vinegar, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Whisk or blend again until creamy and emulsified.¾ tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, ½ small garlic clove, Pinch red chili flakes
Adjust to Taste
- Taste and tweak! Add a splash more rice vinegar if you want it tangier, more agave for sweetness, or a dash of water to thin the consistency.
Stir in the Sesame Seeds
- Stir in sesame seeds at the end for that classic speckled look and nutty crunch.1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Store It
- Pour into a clean jar or airtight dressing sauce container and refrigerate. It keeps well for up to 7 days, but good luck making it last that long.
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