30 Easy Vegan Sauces

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These simple Vegan Sauces are a perfect way to take bland meals to a whole new level. Whether you’re looking for creamy, cheesy, peanutty, sweet, or tangy, we’ve got it all covered here.

vegan sauce recipes photo collage

Best of all, these sauces are completely oil-free and lower in fat than their traditional counterparts because we are using only wholesome ingredients. We have everything from homemade vegan mayo to vegan brown gravy and much more!

What sauces are vegan?

There are a number of well-known seasoning sauces that are vegan which most of us use regularly like soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup. But, sometimes dishes just need a little more pizazz than that. That’s where these delicious healthy sauces can really make a meal special.

Be careful with some sauces that seem innocent enough but are not actually vegan like regular Worcestershire which has anchovies. Thankfully, there is a vegan version, but you do need to read the labels carefully.

Types of healthy sauces

Whether you’re looking for a peanut dipping sauce for deliciously colorful Spring Rolls or Collard Green Wraps or possibly a Creamy Alfredo Sauce for pasta, you’ll find everything needed in this list.

There are even plenty of stir-fry sauces included for those Stir-Fry Recipes that the family will love so much.

Here’s the short list of vegan sauces, and you can scroll down to the full list with photos and descriptions to see all 30+ of them that are available. I’ve just broken a few of them down into categories here to give an idea of the variety.

Creamy sauces

Creamy sauces are perfect for so many dishes and can be quite versatile like a dollop of sour cream on a piping hot baked potato. There’s a lot more in the long list at the bottom of the page.

Savory sauces

Savory sauces can be used in many different ways, and I have many more than just these three below. So, scroll on down until you see the photos of each one.

Tangy sauces

Tangy doesn’t always mean salad dressings. It can even be lime sauce to serve with fruit or cake. I have plenty more at the bottom of the page.

Sweet sauces

Sweet sauce could even include lightly sweet ones like ketchup and marinara for spaghetti, so I’ve made sure to list those in the big list below with photos.

Salad dressings

Healthy salad dressings can be used as dips as well as on salads. That’s why I have included a few here, as well as at the bottom of the page.

Marinades & Stir-Fry sauces

Talk about versatility! These sauces can be used as marinades or even in stir-fries. The three here are only to whet your appetite because there are lots more below.

Cheesy sauces

Nothing says warm and creamy like vegan cheese sauces, so I have added a few of my favorites to this list. They are perfect for making pizza, nachos, tacos, and more!

Want to turn those meals into masterpieces? Whether it’s basic rice, rice bowls, sandwiches, black bean burgers, pasta, or anything else, we’ve got a vegan sauce for that!

Easy Vegan Sauces

We've got alfredo sauce, bbq sauce, peanut sauce, stir fry sauce, and every kind of sauce you could need on this list. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.

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close up of vegan fettuccine alfredo on gold spoon with wooden handle
4.54 from 15 votes

Cashew Alfredo Sauce

This creamy cashew Alfredo is a delicious vegan alternative, offering a rich, velvety texture and a nutty flavor that's perfect for pasta dishes. Made with simple, plant-based ingredients, it's a healthy and dairy-free option that doesn't compromise on taste!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 3-4 cloves garlic depending on the size
  • 1 cup plant milk almond, soy, cashew, etc.
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch or other thickener
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

Vitamix Method

  • If using this method, there is no need to soak the cashews first. Simply place all of the ingredients into your Vitamix blender (or another powerful blender) and allow it to blend and cook the sauce at the same time. Gradually turn it up to the highest setting, and allow it to blend and cook to thicken this sauce. It will need to blend for approximately 2-minutes to thicken up.

Blender & Stovetop Method

  • Most likely if your blender isn’t high powered, you’ll need to soak the cashews in warm water for about 30 minutes or more to soften them up. This will help the sauce be nice and creamy.
  • After soaking, drain the water and add all of the sauce ingredients to a blender and process until nice and smooth.
  • Then transfer the blender contents to a saucepan and cook on the stovetop on medium-high heat for approximately 5-minutes until it has thickened up to the desired consistency.

Serving Options

  • Cook your pasta according to the package directions. I use several different types including whole wheat, spiral pasta, and whole wheat fettuccini.
    Once it has cooked, drain the water and rinse it with cool water to stop the cooking process and keep it from sticking together. I pour it into a colander over the sink to do this.
  • Drizzle the cashew alfredo sauce over your pasta and enjoy!
    Other great ways to serve this sauce are over a baked potato, as a white sauce on veggie pizza, and drizzled over roasted veggies. The possibilities are endless!

Video

Notes

Tips & Suggestions:
I have included step-by-step photos and directions above to ensure your first attempt will be successful.
  • Nut-Free Option- For those avoiding cashews, almonds and sunflower seeds can be substituted. These do change the flavor a bit but they are still quite good.
  • Thickness- Remove the sauce from the heat source immediately after reaching the consistency and creaminess desired. If left on the heat, it will continue to thicken.
  • Thinning- If the sauce becomes too thick, using either cooking method, simply add a little plant milk and it will thin right out.
  • Storage- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. It freezes well too.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Sodium: 334mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy.  I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

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4 Comments

  1. OMG….what a wonderful saucey recipe bundle! Can’t thank you enough for this!!! It is just amazing! Thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Thank you for this compilation of sauce recipes – this is the biggest issue for me in the whole plant food lifestyle. Having them all here in one spot will make meal prep easier. Thank you so much!
    I appreciate all the ingredient information you give on your blog as well.

4.54 from 15 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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