Simple Peanut Recipes: Indonesian Bumbu Kacang Sauce
Bumbu Kacang
25 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
13
Ingredients
Vegan
Diet
Bumbu kacang is Indonesia's beloved peanut sauce and of the easiest peanut recipes you must try. This sauce is a deeply flavourful, creamy condiment that anchors some of the country's most iconic dishes. Whether drizzled over satay skewers, tossed through gado-gado salad, or served as a dipping sauce with lontong, bumbu kacang brings a rich, roasted nuttiness that is hard to replicate with any other sauce.
What makes bumbu kacang stand out is the use of aromatics from the garlic, shallots, and red chilli, which are fried before being blended with roasted peanuts and coconut milk into a smooth, velvety sauce. A bit of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and a lime juice round out the flavour, giving bumbu kacang a sweet-savoury-tangy taste.
This peanut recipe keeps things simple without cutting corners on flavour. Bumbu kacang is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it a great option for a wide range of dietary needs. It stores well in the fridge for up to a week, so you can make a batch ahead and use it as a condiment with multiple meals throughout the week.
Ingredients
UNITSIngredients
For the peanut base:
1½ cupsRoasted peanuts (unsalted)
½ cupCoconut milk
½ cupWater (to adjust consistency)
For the aromatics:
1 tbspVegetable oil
3Shallots (roughly chopped)
3Garlic cloves
2-3Red chillies (dried or fresh, adjust to heat preference)
1Lemongrass stalk (bruised)
For the seasoning:
2 tbspKecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
1 tspTamarind paste
1 tspPalm sugar (or brown sugar)
to tasteSalt
1 tbspLime juice






