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Easy Oil-Free Vegan Cashew Mayo

This smooth and creamy oil-free vegan mayo is an absolute delight. It’s the perfect base to any homemade salad dressing, dip, or sandwich spread. Try it as a tangy drizzle over your favorite Buddha bowl or use is as a filling for vegan sushi.  

Vegan Cashew Mayo in a Jar with a Spoon right in the middle of the sauce

If you’re searching for a vegan, healthy alternative to mayonnaise, this homemade vegan mayo recipe is exactly what you need. It’s incredibly versatile, quick to make and is the perfect addition to any dish that you would typically use classic mayo for. 

Change up your salad dressing routine by using this vegan mayo recipe as a base. Your options are almost endless in the variety of flavors you can create with it. Need some inspiration? Check out this Healthy Vegan Waldorf Salad, which is a great example of how I use it.

Or keep it simple and smother a delicious toasted sandwich (guilt-free) with this creamy spread. 

No oil. No eggs. But you are guaranteed mouthful after mouthful of the same tantalizing flavor of mayonnaise along with a healthy bonus of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Hand Holding a Spoon of Vegan Mayo in a Jar

Why Homemade Mayo Is Better than Store-Bought Mayo

There are a couple of problems with eating store bought mayo. One is that they are typically loaded with all sorts of saturated fats .
which can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Another problem with classic mayo is that often it’s made with raw eggs which is a big no-no for pregnant women, infants, older adults and other high risk groups as there is a possibility they could contract salmonella.

What’s really awesome about this homemade vegan mayo is that due to the cashew base of the recipe, it actually has the potential to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Cashews are packed with all sorts of good stuff that are bound to make your body and not to mention your taste buds happy.   

Vegan Mayonnaise in a Food Processor

What Is Vegan Mayo Made Of?

Soaked cashews are the main component of this vegan mayo recipe. To quickly soak your cashes, I suggest using this easy peasy quick soak method. After all, sometimes you want your mayo, and you want it now! 

By soaking cashews, you reap the benefits of not only amplifying the flavor, but also breaking down the phytic acid that is found in many nuts and seeds. Phytic acid unfortunately the negative effect of reducing the absorbency of other minerals like zinc, iron and calcium.

Should you find yourself with some more time, you could even consider soaking your cashews overnight and let them sprout. By doing this you increase the protein and amino acid ratio.

You may be wondering what exactly all the above-mentioned good stuff for your body is? Manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and vitamin K are all contained within this sweet, buttery nut.

With a bit more time and effort, by soaking the cashew, you can reap even more nutritious rewards.

Apple cider vinegar is another powerhouse ingredient in this cashew mayo. Not only does it have a delightfully tangy flavor, but it can lower your blood sugar, improve heart health, kill all sorts of bacteria, and help reduce belly fat.

Vegan Mayo Being Added to Coleslaw Salad

How to Make Vegan Mayo

Start off by gathering the following ingredients:

  • soaked cashews (to quickly soak your cashews, use the easy peasy quick soak method)
  • apple cider vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • maple syrup
  • nutritional yeast
  • water
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. Place all the ingredients into a high-speed blender and pulse until it becomes smooth.
  2. Then gradually add water until the dressing looks as thick as mayonnaise.
  3. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.

Cashew mayo can be stored in an airtight container for about seven days. If it’s looking too thick, simply add a bit of water.

That’s all!

Vegan Mayonnaise in a Jar

Why This Recipe Works

  • Vegan mayo is a much healthier alternative to classic mayo. It contains no eggs and no oil, but it is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Just like vegan ricotta and vegan bechamel, you can use this recipe as a base for any salad dressing, vegan dip, or vegan spread. It’s completely versatile and can be used as a very welcome addition to all sorts of meals.
  • It’s quick to make and the ingredients are probably already in your cupboard.

What Goes With Vegan Mayo?

Perhaps the question should be what DOESN’T go with vegan mayo?

Coleslaw Salad on a Plate with Utensils Next to a Jar of Vegan Mayo

Cook’s Tips

  • Use this method to quickly soak your cashews, otherwise soak them in water overnight.
  • Vegan mayo can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days.
  • If it’s too thick, simply add a bit of water.
  • Use this vegan mayonnaise as a salad dressing, spread or dip. It’s perfect for vegan coleslaw and a great addition to vegan jackfruit sandwich.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use any other sweetener instead of maple syrup: agave juice, date syrup or molasses.
  • You can add lemon or lime juice in place of apple cider vinegar for this vegan mayo.

What is your favorite way to use vegan mayonnaise? Leave a comment below! Don’t forget to give a star rating to the recipe if you like it!

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5 from 1 vote

Easy Homemade Vegan Cashew Mayo

This smooth and creamy oil-free vegan mayo is an absolute delight. It’s the perfect base to any homemade salad dressing, dip, or sandwich spread.
Course Condiment, Sauce
Cuisine American
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 103kcal
$4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked, see notes
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • about 1/3 cup water
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place soaked cashews, apple cider vinegar, mustard, agave syrup, nutritional yeast into a high-speed blender and pulse until smooth.
  • Gradually add water until the dressing looks as thick as mayonnaise.
  • Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.

Notes

Cook’s Tips

  • Use this method to quickly soak your cashews, otherwise soak them in water overnight.
  • Vegan mayo can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to seven days.
  • If it’s too thick, simply add a bit of water.
  • Use this vegan mayonnaise as a salad dressing, spread or dip. It's perfect for vegan coleslaw and a great addition to vegan jackfruit sandwich.
  • For an oriental spicy kick, add a few spoons of green harissa paste.

Recipe Variations

  • You can use any other sweetener instead of maple syrup: agave juice, date syrup or molasses.
  • You can add lemon or lime juice in place of apple cider vinegar for this vegan mayo.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Follow @happykitchen.rocks on Instagram and show me the recipes you are making from my blog using the hashtag #happykitchenrocks!

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About Elena Szeliga

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Elena Szeliga is the founder of Happy Kitchen.Rocks, where she shares delicious and healthy vegetarian and vegan food, from weeknight dinners to veganized classics and gourmet appetizers. Her recipes have been featured at Better Homes & Gardens, BuzzFeed, Country Living, The Kitchn and Reader’s Digest. Her mission is to help cook easy vegetarian and vegan meals with simple and fresh ingredients. Read more about Elena.

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