Out of Peanut butter, one case
Peanut butter substitute for Asian cooking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Tahini
Per 1 cup peanut butter
¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt
The best peanut butter substitutes for Asian cooking are tahini, almond butter, and cashew butter. These alternatives work well in Asian sauces, stir-fries, and marinades while providing similar texture and flavor.
- The tweak —
- Mix tahini with oil and salt to achieve peanut butter-like consistency and flavor.
- Best for —
- Asian sauces
One casethe full peanut butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup peanut butter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TahiniAsian sauces | ¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt |
| 2 | Almond butterAsian sauces | Same amount |
| 3 | Cashew butterAsian sauces | Same amount |
| 4 | Sesame oil + soy saucestir-fries | 1 tbsp sesame oil + 1 tsp soy sauce per 1 tbsp peanut butter |
| 5 | Coconut butterThai dishes | Same amount |
Tahini
nutty, slightly bitter
Sesame paste that's commonly used in Asian cuisine and works well in sauces and marinades
- Best for
- Asian sauces, stir-fry sauces, marinades, dressings, noodle dishes
- Texture
- thinner, more liquid
- Prep
- Mix tahini with oil and salt to achieve peanut butter-like consistency and flavor.
More liquid than peanut butter. Add oil and salt to match consistency and flavor.
Almond butter
nutty, slightly sweeter
Nut butter that works well in Asian cooking and provides similar texture
- Best for
- Asian sauces, stir-fry sauces, marinades, dips, noodle dishes
- Texture
- similar to peanut butter
- Prep
- May need to warm slightly if too thick.
Slightly sweeter than peanut butter. Works well in sweet and savory Asian dishes.
Cashew butter
mild, creamy
Creamy alternative that works well in Asian sauces and provides smooth texture
- Best for
- Asian sauces, stir-fry sauces, marinades, dips, creamy dishes
- Texture
- smooth, creamy
- Prep
- May need to warm slightly if too thick.
Milder flavor allows other Asian ingredients to shine. Creates smooth sauces.
Sesame oil + soy sauce
nutty, savory
Traditional Asian combination that provides similar flavor profile
- Best for
- stir-fries, marinades, dressings, noodle dishes, traditional Asian cooking
- Texture
- liquid
- Prep
- Mix sesame oil and soy sauce, then use as 1:1 replacement for peanut butter.
More liquid than peanut butter. Adjust other liquid ingredients accordingly.
Coconut butter
sweet, coconut
Tropical alternative that works well in Southeast Asian and Thai-inspired dishes
- Best for
- Thai dishes, Southeast Asian recipes, tropical flavors, coconut-based sauces
- Texture
- similar when warm
- Prep
- Warm slightly if solid, then use as 1:1 replacement.
Naturally sweet. Works well in sweet and savory Asian dishes.
How it behaves in this recipe
Asian cooking with peanut butter substitutes requires understanding the flavor profiles and textures that work best in Asian cuisine. The key is choosing alternatives that complement Asian ingredients and provide similar texture and flavor to peanut butter in sauces and marinades.
Tips for substituting peanut butter
10 tips- For traditional Asian cooking: tahini is the most authentic choice
- For stir-fry sauces: almond butter and cashew butter work best
- For marinades: tahini and almond butter provide the best flavor
- For noodle dishes: tahini creates the most authentic Asian flavor
- For Thai dishes: coconut butter adds authentic tropical flavor
- For Chinese cooking: tahini and sesame oil combinations work best
- For Japanese cooking: tahini is the most appropriate choice
- For Korean cooking: tahini and sesame oil combinations work well
- For Vietnamese cooking: tahini and coconut butter work best
- For Indian cooking: tahini and almond butter work well in curries
Notes on peanut butter
- For traditional Asian cooking: tahini is the most authentic choice
- For stir-fry sauces: almond butter and cashew butter work best
- For marinades: tahini and almond butter provide the best flavor
- For noodle dishes: tahini creates the most authentic Asian flavor
- For Thai dishes: coconut butter adds authentic tropical flavor
Questions
5 questionsWhat's the best substitute for peanut butter in Asian cooking?
Tahini is the best substitute for Asian cooking as it's commonly used in Asian cuisine and provides similar texture and flavor to peanut butter in sauces and marinades.
Can I use almond butter in Asian stir-fries?
Yes, almond butter works well in Asian stir-fries as it provides similar texture and flavor to peanut butter. It's slightly sweeter, so you may want to adjust other seasonings accordingly.
Is tahini authentic in Asian cooking?
Yes, tahini is commonly used in Asian cooking, especially in Middle Eastern and Central Asian cuisines. It's a traditional ingredient in many Asian sauces and marinades.
Can I use coconut butter in Thai dishes?
Yes, coconut butter works well in Thai dishes as it adds authentic tropical flavor. It's particularly good in coconut-based sauces and curries.
Why do my Asian sauces taste different with nut butter substitutes?
Different nut butters have varying fat contents and flavors. Tahini is the most authentic choice for Asian cooking, while almond butter and cashew butter work well but may need slight adjustments to other seasonings.