What is it?

At its most basic, peanut butter is simply ground peanuts and salt, which is all you’ll find in manynatural peanut butters. Super-smoothemulsified peanut butters, which are what’s spread on most lunch-box peanut butter sandwiches, contain sweeteners, oils, and ingredients that keep the peanut oil and nut mass from separating.

The two kinds differ enormously in texture and flavor, with the natural peanut butters having a more coarse texture. Using one in place of another in a peanut butter cookie, for example, will give you different results. Both natural and emulsified peanut butters also come in a chunky style, which contain peanut pieces. In baking, peanut butter is used in cookies, candies, tarts, icings, and fillings. On the savory side, it’s the featured ingredient in peanut sauce for satay and often in sesame noodles.

Don’t have it?

Another nut butter (almond, hazelnut, etc.) can often substitute for peanut butter, though the flavor profile will be different.

How to choose:

Choose peanut butters with a true peanut flavor. There are many varities on the market, so try a few to find your favorite.

How to prep:

Natural peanut butters often need to be stirred because the oil separates out.

How to store:

Natural peanut butter must be refrigerated and will keep about six months. Emulsified peanut butters will keep for six months at room temperature.

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Thai Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

  Skewered thigh meat is much more likely to turn out juicy than skewered breast meat. Its inherent richness can handle the dry heat of the grill without losing too much…

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  Recipe

  Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie

  This classic smoothie has all the perfect breakfast items blended into the perfect drink. Try it with almond or sunflower butter instead of peanut butter.

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  Recipe

  Spicy Peanut Butter and Lime Skillet Cookie

  A combination of cayenne and lime zest is not your average cookie flavoring, but combined with the sweet and salty ingredients, they make each bite of this gluten-free cookie exciting.…

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  Recipe

  Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

  Cold vegetables, meat, or noodles instantly become a meal when you have peanut sauce around. Whatever kind of peanut butter you normally eat—crunchy or smooth, natural or sweetened—will work. Use…

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  Recipe

  Broiled Shrimp & Broccoli with Spicy Peanut Sauce

  Inspired by Southeast Asian shrimp satay, this one-pan dish is a weeknight favorite. Taste the peanut sauce before tossing it with the shrimp. If you want it spicier, add more…

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  Recipe

  Rotini with Ground Pork and Spicy Peanut Sauce

  You may not expect bright, Asian-inspired flavors to be paired with Italian rotini pasta, but it’s a great choice for holding onto the sauce.

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  Recipe

  Honey-Roasted Peanut Blondies with Caramel Fudge Ripple Ice Cream

  Who doesn’t love chocolate and peanut butter? This pairing of chewy, not-too-sweet oatmeal peanut blondies and rich, fudgy caramel ice cream is a sophisticated dessert for the kid in all…

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  Recipe

  Spicy Rice Noodle Stir-Fry

  With a nod to pad Thai, this noodle dish makes an exciting, meat-free weeknight dinner. The short-cut trick is using slaw mix.

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  Recipe

  Spicy Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

  A quick peanut sauce and a bright, refreshing carrot-and-cucumber slaw dress up the chicken in these Asian-inspired lettuce wraps. You can put all the fixings on the table and let…

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  Recipe

  Granola Bars

  These crispy, yet slightly chewy granola bars are endlessly adaptable as long as you keep the ratio of dry to wet ingredients the same. Try the two variations below or…