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7 Savory Peanut Butter Recipes That Will Totally Surprise You

By Justine Harrington
|
October 15, 2024
Courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen

We love a PB&J as much as anyone, but peanut butter is also a fantastic addition to savory recipes. Its rich flavor lends itself so well to sauces, marinades, and dressings, and it makes for a great addition to hearty soups and stews. If you haven’t yet explored the world of savory peanut butter recipes, now’s the time.

Aside from making certain recipes taste better, peanut butter also boasts several nutritional benefits: peanuts are an excellent source of everything from magnesium to niacin to vitamin E. Just remember to check the ingredients when buying a jar; select a brand that only has peanuts, or peanuts and salt. That way, you can skip the unnecessary added sugar and low-quality oil.

Here are our favorite savory peanut butter recipes — try one tonight.

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1. Easy Baked Salmon with Spicy Peanut Butter Glaze

Baked salmon with spicy peanut butter sauce

A spicy, savory, super-creamy peanut butter glaze is an unusual — but excellent — topping for baked salmon. Look for salmon that’s moist, firm, and vibrant in color. Roast a pan of Brussels sprouts or broccolini (drizzled with olive oil, flaky sea salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper) at the same time as your fish, and you’ve got yourself one quick, tasty weeknight dinner.

Try this recipe from Love and Zest.

2. Crunchy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing

Crunchy Thai salad with peanut sauce

Salad dressing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about incorporating peanut butter into a meal, which is why this crunchy salad recipe is such a refreshing surprise. The creamy peanut sauce also incorporates fresh ginger and garlic, lime juice, sesame oil, and other healthy ingredients. If you need a little more protein, top the salad with some rotisserie chicken or a few soft-boiled eggs.

Try this recipe from Jessica Gavin.

3. One-Pan Ginger Chicken Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

Ginger meatballs in peanut sauce

Nothing beats a one-pan meal, especially on weeknights. Aside from being quick and easy to prepare, these ginger chicken meatballs are awesome on their own — but then the peanut sauce really amps things up. This recipe makes enough sauce that you could put the leftover liquid in Tupperware and turn it into a dip for raw vegetables and fried tofu, a marinade for other meats, or a sauce for roasted root vegetables.

Try this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

4. Peanut and Kale Butternut Squash Curry

Peanut Kale Butternut Squash Curry

Plant-based, one-pot, and deeply nourishing: What’s not to love about this butternut squash curry? This veggie-heavy curry really hits the spot on cold nights, with its big, bright flavors simmered in a mix of coconut milk, crushed tomatoes, and peanut butter. Be sure to serve it over rice or quinoa, or with naan, to soak up that sauce. This is that rare meal that gets better as it sits in the fridge, so feel free to make a big batch ahead of time and nosh on it throughout the week.

Try this recipe from A Saucy Kitchen.

5. Secret-Ingredient Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian chili

When your next lazy Sunday rolls around, make a big, comforting pot of chili. Foolproof and bursting with flavor, this vegetarian chili definitely benefits from its secret ingredient: peanut butter. Try making it in the slow cooker so everything has time to mingle. Since the garnishes are what take chili to the next level, don’t forget to prep some fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, scallions, lime wedges, and Greek yogurt, too.

Try this recipe from Eating Bird Food.

6. Thai Peanut Sauce Noodles with Shrimp

Thai peanut noodles with shrimp

We love how easily customizable this Thai shrimp recipe is. Don’t have a bell pepper on hand? Use that broccoli or zucchini that’s been lying around in your fridge. Not the biggest fan of shrimp? Sauté some tofu or chicken, or double the veggies and go meatless. Forgot to pick up stir fry noodles during your last grocery store run? Use brown rice, fettuccine, or ramen. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the red pepper flakes — it’s what gives this sauce a little kick.

Try this recipe from Kroll’s Korner.

7. West African-Inspired Vegetarian Peanut Soup

West African peanut soup

This comforting West African-inspired soup gets its richness from peanut butter, which gives it a distinct, sweet-savory flavor. This recipe is absolutely delicious when followed to a T, but it can also easily turn into a fridge cleanout situation by using whatever you have on hand. For instance, you could add diced sweet potatoes or a can of chickpeas to make it more filling. Alternatively, if you want to add meat to this vegetarian dish, brown some chicken thighs and legs in a separate pot and add them in with the onion, ginger, garlic, and salt. (If you do this, we also recommend letting the soup gently simmer for an hour and a half, until the meat falls off the bone.) No matter what adjustments you make, don’t be afraid to go a little crazy with the garlic and ginger.

Try this recipe from Cookie and Kate.

Read next: 8 Cozy Instant Pot Soup Recipes That Are Super Healthy

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