This creamy Salsa de Cacahuates (Peanut Salsa) is a traditional Mexican salsa very popular in the southern states of Mexico. With only 4 ingredients, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!
The best Peanut Salsa is lusciously creamy, yet somehow light and fluffy. It’s deliciously smooth and swirled, and begging to be scooped with a tortilla chip. It’s nutty and very spicy, thanks to the chile de arbol.
The first time I tasted Salsa De Cacahuate it was at a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix. A little hole in the wall ran by wonderful Mexican people. They had a station where you could serve your favorite salsas. This one was one of them and the other this Jicama Salsa.
Of course I had to ask the chef how he made this wonderful Peanut salsa and to my surprise, he gave me the recipe! So off I go to recreate this for you. I really hope you like it as much as I do!
***This post was originally published on Dec 2015. It has been updated to be more helpful.
Ingredients
This Peanut Salsa recipe has very few simple ingredients and that’s what makes it so easy to make. Before you start cooking, gather all ingredients as the process goes very quickly.
- The oil – Use avocado, grapeseed or vegetable oil. The key is to use an oil that stands high heat.
- The nuts – 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts.
- Garlic clove
- The chiles – About 20 dried arbol chiles are needed for a spicy salsa. You can use less if desired. See notes below how to control the spiciness.
- Kosher or sea salt
🌶️ Heat Note: If you can’t handle heat very well, it can be made with less chiles de arbol or substituting some of them for Chile Japones – a Japanese chile that it’s milder than chile de arbol while maintaining the same flavor profile.
How To Make Salsa De Cacahuate
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté the peanuts and garlic for about a minute. Constantly stir for 1 minute.
- Then add the chiles and sauté for less about 45 seconds. Be careful not to burn the chiles since the salsa will taste bitter if you do.
- Blend the peanut/chile mixture along with one cup of water and it’s ready to eat! Adjust the water level if you want to make it as creamy as you want.
Tips and Notes
- Allow resting time: Let the flavors meld by allowing the salsa to sit for a bit before using. This allows the ingredients to blend together for a more cohesive taste.
- Customize to preference: This a versatile salsa, so feel free to customize it to your liking. If it’s too spicy, add a touch more sweetness like agave or honey until it matches your taste.
How To Control The Spicy Level
This Salsa De Cacahuate recipe calls for 20 arbol chiles and it comes out very spicy! So if you like things hot, keep things as is.
For a milder sauce use from 10 to 12 chiles de arbol and add 1 guajillo chile to enhance the flavor and for texture. Or as mentioned earlier, you can also substitute some of the chile de arbol with japanese chiles. They are much milder.
What to serve with
Salsa De Cacahuate is a unique and flavorful addition to your repertoire. Here are some of my suggestions on what to serve with it:
- Tortilla Chips: The classic choice for dipping. The crunchy texture of tortilla chips pairs well with the rich and nutty flavors of the peanut Mexican salsa.
- Tlacoyos: A simple dish that pairs well with anything.
- Grilled Chicken Skewers: Thread marinated and grilled chicken pieces onto skewers, then dip them into the peanut salsa. The combination of smoky grilled chicken and the nutty salsa creates a delicious contrast.
- Vegetable: Serve an assortment of fresh vegetables like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, and bell pepper strips. The crispness of the veggies complements the creamy texture of the salsa.
- Tacos or Quesadillas: Use the peanut Mexican salsa as a unique topping for tacos or as a dipping sauce for quesadillas. It adds a flavorful twist to traditional Mexican dishes.
More Mexican Salsas Recipes:
Try any of my delicious salsas…. Always authentic, easy & delicious!
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating below.
Gracias!!!! xx, Ana
Print Recipe:
Salsa de Cacahuate (Peanut Salsa)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado or vegetable oil
- 1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
- 1 garlic clove peeled
- 20 dried arbol chiles stemmed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup water or more if needed
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; add peanuts and garlic. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add the chiles and sauté for about 45 seconds. Being careful not to burn the chiles.
- Transfer to a blender and the salt and water; blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Muy Delish Notes:
Add Your Own Private Notes
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Nutrition
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
Was fairly bland with the arbol chiles overwhelming any other flavors from coming through, including the peanuts. I even added 1/4 teaspoon of cumin to help with the overall flavor profile.
I had never heard of peanut salsa, but it is amazing! Like the Mexican version of Thai/Asian peanut sauce. I want to put it on everything
Thank you, Michelle!! yes, that’s right.
This is my new favorite salsa recipe! Perfectly creamy and so so flavorful!
Thank you, Tayler!!!!
The flavour of this was amazing. I will definitely be making this again.
Thank you, Dannii!!!
This peanut salsa recipe is a game-changer! It’s perfect for dipping chips, topping tacos, or even as a unique twist on traditional salad dressing. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Charah!!!
incredibly delicious! The best peanut salsa I’ve tried so far!
Thank you, Julia!!!
So, the seeds stay in the recipe? In the salsa (sauce)?
NITPICK: Although the recipe itself is clear, the step-by-step recipe is confusing:
“Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté the peanuts and garlic for about a minute. Constantly stir for 1 minute.”
Do you cook the peanuts & garlic for one minute, then stir constantly for another minute (2 minutes total) or should it read “[h]eat oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté the peanuts and garlic for about a minute, stirring constantly”?
I love this salsa! I made mine very spicy so I think I’ll add less chiles next time. Very good tho!
Thanks for your review Charles! I’m so glad you liked it! I think I’m making mine more spicy next time LOL! Have a good one!