30 Easy Vegan Sauces
These simple, oil-free 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.
Transform your pasta dishes and more with these game-changing vegan sauces, like this creamy cashew alfredo and our rich dairy-free cheese sauce. Bursting with flavor, they’ll make every bite irresistibly delicious!
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!
Reasons you will love these sauces
- Wholesome and Healthy: These oil-free vegan sauces are packed with plant-based goodness, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick prep, these sauces are perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Versatile and Flavorful: From cashew alfredo to tangy BBQ, these sauces elevate pasta, veggies, bowls, and beyond.
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
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 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 veggie poke bowls, sandwiches, black bean burgers, pasta, or anything else, we’ve got a healthy vegan sauce for that!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Many vegan sauces can be made nut-free by using ingredients like sunflower seeds, white beans, or coconut milk as creamy alternatives.
Most homemade vegan sauces can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days, or you can freeze them for longer storage.
You can replace oil with vegetable broth, plant-based milk, or pureed vegetables like cauliflower or potatoes for a creamy texture without added fat. But, you won’t need to do that for these oil-free vegan sauces.
Yes! These sauces are versatile—use them for dipping, drizzling over veggies, adding to grain bowls, or even as a pizza topping.
Easy Vegan Sauces
Take your meals to the next level with these vegan sauce recipes, including creamy cashew alfredo, zesty stir-fry sauces, smoky BBQ, and velvety vegan cheese sauce. Perfect for pasta, veggies, and more, these sauces are a must-try for adding flavor-packed, plant-based goodness to any dish!
I use this cheese sauce for everything--nachos, tacos, pizza, baked potato and steamed veggie topping, and so much more!
This cashew-based vegan alfredo sauce has a rich creamy flavor that is delicious on pasta, baked potatoes, and even roasted vegetables. Amazingly, it can be made in only 10-minutes flat!
This gravy tastes like the stuff I grew up eating on my mashed potatoes as a kid, but it happens to be vegan and has zero artery clogging saturated animal fat.
This healthier, lower-fat version of tzatziki sauce is super simple to make and delicious on everything from salads and grilled veggies to its traditional use as a dip for falafels and other Greek foods.
Miso Sauce is a simple all-purpose sauce that is great to keep on hand for veggie bowls, salads, steamed or grilled veggies, and so much more. It even works great as a marinade.
This creamy peanut spring roll sauce can be served as a dipping sauce, stir fry sauce, or over rice dishes. With no cooking required, it’s ready in 10-minutes flat!
This smoky, savory, and creamy vegan chipotle sauce is the perfect match for bean burgers, veggie hoagies, baked fries, and SO MUCH MORE!
This refined sugar-free marinara sauce is a deliciously healthy option, made with fresh tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and naturally sweet dates for added flavor. Enjoy a rich, flavorful sauce that’s perfect for pasta, pizzas, or dipping, all without the guilt of added sugars!
Sweet and sticky homemade Teriyaki Sauce is absolutely delicious when used in stir fry recipes or even as a marinade. It only requires a few ingredients and can be ready in minutes!
I am from the Carolina's where potato salad, cole slaw, and tomato sandwiches are necessary meal staples. This was a real issue for me after switching to a plant-based lifestyle, because you know what all these foods require right? Mayonnaise!
This easy Tahini Dressing recipe takes less than 5-minutes to make with only a handful of ingredients. It's delicious on pasta, salad, veggie bowls, falafels, and more!
This sweet ginger sesame sauce has so many uses. I like to use it in stir-fries and even to just season a bowl of rice. It can even be used as a dipping sauce or marinade. More recently, I found out it makes a great salad dressing as well.
Seven simple ingredients are all it takes to make this deliciously easy golden vegan gravy. It’s ready in less than 10-minutes to pour over your mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and anything else you can think of.
This Spicy Vegan Mayo is an excellent egg-free substitute for traditional mayonnaise. We use it on sandwiches, as a dip, and even as a salad dressing.
A super simple unsweetened applesauce that is homemade and better than any store-bought brand. It can be eaten as a healthy snack or used in oil-free baking.
10-minutes is all it takes to make this delicious 4-ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce that is delicious on desserts, ice cream, apple slices, and anything else you might think of!
Zesty and full of flavor, this Tangy Tomato Dressing is fabulous over garden veggies, pasta, or greens. It's a much healthier vegan salad dressing option than the high-fat, oil-laden store-bought varieties.
This vegan ranch dressing and dip is so delicious because it combines creamy, tangy flavors with a perfect blend of herbs and spices, making it irresistibly tasty. Its smooth texture and rich taste enhance any dish, whether used as a dressing for salads or a dip for veggies and snacks. Ready 10 in minutes!
This creamy, spreadable vegan butter requires only 6 simple ingredients and a blender. Spread it on toast, vegetables, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and more! It also happens to be oil-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.
This Orange Miso Ginger Dressing is deliciously refreshing when paired with a green salad, pasta, bean salad, or even used as a marinade! Five minutes and a few ingredients are all you need to make this tasty dressing recipe!
There are so many dishes that could use a great barbecue sauce to enhance the flavors. With its sweet smoky flavor, a good bbq sauce can transform a bland recipe into an culinary masterpiece. This Healthy BBQ Sauce Recipe can do just that!
I use this Asian Stir Fry Sauce with a lot of dishes besides just stir-fries including as a dip, marinade, topping for pasta, and much more.
This Vegan Nacho Cheese is incredible as a dip for baked chips as well as on fries, baked potatoes, and pizza. For healthy burritos and quesadillas, it can't be beaten! Make it with cashews or white beans.
This recipe is great on pasta and bean salads, as well as regular garden salads. With only three ingredients required, it's likely you've already got everything needed on-hand.
This Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce is packed with wholesome ingredients, amazingly delicious, and diabetes-friendly. Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and dairy-free.
This honey mustard sauce recipe is completely egg-free and dairy-free. It’s low-fat and easy to make with only 5 ingredients. Great as a salad dressing, sandwich or wrap topping, and even on baked potatoes.
This is one of the easiest stir fry sauce recipes you’ll ever make. It is kind of like an all-purpose sauce that is delicious on stir-fries and even used as a dipping sauce.
I was skeptical about dairy-free sour cream because I had always loved the dairy-version, but this tofu vegan sour cream recipe is surprisingly delicious! Creamy and tangy wonderfulness!
Making your own ketchup at home is SO easy to do with only a few ingredients in about 10-minutes. With this sugar-free vegan ketchup, you get to control exactly what goes into it.
This lime fruit sauce is bursting with flavor and perfectly delicious on fresh fruit, salads, and anything else you can think of.
I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring this collection of vegan sauces and found plenty of inspiration for planning your menus. I’m sure you’ll discover some new family favorites to enjoy again and again!
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…
OMG….what a wonderful saucey recipe bundle! Can’t thank you enough for this!!! It is just amazing! Thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Shanasy- You are so welcome, and I hope you find lots of new favorites!
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.
Hi Olwyn- Sauces are really important in my kitchen too. They add so much flavor and are very versatile. I’m glad you’re finding this list helpful.