Thai Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

This Thai Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich is the most adult PB&J sandwich you will ever eat. Creamy peanut butter is flavored with Thai spices (curry, lime, ginger, and soy), combined with sweet basil and pineapple jam, and then finished in sizzling butter for a crispy exterior. Slightly spicy and -sweet, you won't be able to resist this gourmet peanut butter sandwich.

We got the idea for this Thai-inspired peanut butter and jelly from the popular peanut sauce usually associated with Thai cuisine here in the United States. We wanted to recreate that sauce but keep it thick enough for a sandwich. Mission accomplished!

Once we perfected the spicy Thai-flavored peanut butter, we needed the solid jam. Berry jam wouldn't cut it, so enter pineapple jam, the ideal companion to this savory peanut butter. Oh, and then we add basil to the jam to brighten it up and make it pop.

And to top it off, you gotta fry this baby. a quick pan-fry in some sizzling butter for crispy edges and a slightly melty interior. Fancy indeed!

Why this recipe works

• Easy to make
• Unique spin on a classic
• Serves one or a crowd
• Can make the Thai PB in advance
• It's sweet and savory
• Portable, packable, and travels well (picnic anyone?)

Here is what you will need to make this Thai PB&J.

• Peanut butter Use creamy (smooth) peanut butter for the best results. You can use crunchy if you prefer.
• Thai red curry paste A ground paste made up of red chilies, garlic, lemongrass, salt, shallot, coriander root, and kaffir lime peel. It's available at most grocery stores in the international section.
• Ginger we use ginger paste, but you can also grate fresh ginger.
• Soy sauce Since peanut butter is already salty, opt for low-sodium if you have.
• Lime juice To balance out the sweetness of the jam.
• Sriracha For extra spice.
• Pineapple jam You can substitute mango, apricot, or even orange marmalade.
• Basil Fresh basil, or Thai basil if you can find it.
• Bread Pick your favorite! We use good sturdy white bread.
• Butter or oil for frying

See the recipe card for quantities.

Step by step instructions

Below is a quick visual on how to make this gourmet PB&J.

Step 1. Start by combining the peanut butter, red curry paste, ginger, soy sauce, and lime in a small bowl.

Step 2. Mix to combine. Add Sriracha sauce if using.

Step 3. Lay out your bread slices. On one side of the bread, spread the peanut butter evenly. On the other slice, spread the jam, and sprinkle the basil on top. Place together to make a sandwich.

Step 4. Heat the butter in a small frying pan over medium heat. When the butter starts to sizzle, add the sandwich. Pan-fry until golden brown, flip, and do the same to the other side.

*These are abbreviated instructions. The full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.

Expert tip

Use a thicker bread, such as sourdough or a sturdy white bread. It will hold up better when frying in the butter and elevate your sandwich to gourmet status.

Substitutions and variations

This sandwich is great on its own, but you can certainly swap out a few ingredients. Below are some easy-to-find variations.

• Peanut butter: we would say this one is non-negotiable. While other nut butters are usually great stand-ins for peanut butter, the unique taste of peanut butter is what gives this spread its authentic flavor. If you do have an allergy, you can try substituting another nut butter, but note, the taste will not be the same. If you are looking to cut calories, opt for low-fat peanut butter.
• Ginger: If you don't have ginger paste or fresh ginger, you can use ½ teaspoon of ginger powder.
• Pineapple jam: Pineapple jam may be hard to come by, as not all grocery stores carry it. Choose a more acidic jam, such as mango apricot or orange. Also, jams, preserves, and jelly are all okay, as long as they're not berry-flavored.
• Sriracha: If looking for an extra bit of heat, you can use Tabasco or another red chili sauce.

Storage and make-ahead

You can make the Thai peanut butter spread in advance and store it in the fridge for up to one week. Allow it to come to room temperature before preparing your sandwich- cold peanut butter is almost impossible to spread!

When ready to assemble, spread the room temperature peanut spread on your bread, then add the jam and fresh basil. Proceed with grilling/frying.

This sandwich also makes a great packed lunch or picnic sandwich to go. You can grill it in advance, or you can skip grilling it altogether.

Kitchen questions

What type of peanut butter is best for Thai peanut butter?

The age-old debate of smooth versus crunchy peanut butter is one that we will avoid here. However, creamy (smooth) peanut butter works best for this spread as it's easier to mix in with the other ingredients. We prefer to use commercial peanut butter (i.e. Skippy, Jiff) as these are typically sweetened, as opposed to "natural" varieties, lending to a well-rounded spread.

Why is our peanut butter oily?

If using natural peanut butter containing only peanuts and salt, separation is common. To fix this, stir the peanut butter and oil together in the jar until it comes together again. Good as new! Commercial peanut butter contains stabilizers that prevent separation in the first place.

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Ingredients

Makes 1 sandwich

• 3 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• ¾ tsp Thai red curry paste
• ¼ tsp ginger paste or fresh grated ginger
• ¼ tsp soy sauce
• fresh lime juice to taste (1-2 squeezes)
• a few dashes of Sriracha sauce (optional)
• 3 tbsp pineapple jam (*see notes for other options)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 2 slices bread
• 1-2 tbsp butter or oil for grilling/frying

Equipment

• small mixing bowl
• small pan for frying/grilling

Method

1. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, red curry paste, ginger paste, soy sauce, lime juice, and Siracha sauce (if using).

2. Lay out your bread. On one slice, spread the peanut butter mixture. On the other slice, spread the pineapple jam, then sprinkle with the chopped fresh basil. Bring the 2 slices together to make a sandwich.

3. In a small frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter starts to sizzle, add the sandwich and fry until golden brown on one side. Flip and repeat on the other side, about 3-5 minutes total. Remove from the heat, cut in half, and serve immediately.

Kitchen notes

• Use creamy (smooth) peanut butter for the best results. You can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer. Low-fat is ok to use.
• Don't have pineapple jam? Use apricot, mango, or even orange marmalade instead.
• Make-ahead: You can make the Thai peanut butter spread in advance and store it in the fridge for up to one week. Allow it to come to room temperature before preparing your sandwich- cold peanut butter is almost impossible to spread!