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    Home » Recipes » Sauce + Seasoning

    Vegan Big Mac Sauce (No Mayo!)

    Jan 16, 2023 by Kaitlin

    This vegan "Big Mac Sauce" copycat recipe is made healthier without mayo! Use this creamy vegan burger sauce on a variety of burgers or as a flavorful dipping sauce for fries. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

    Spoon dipping into a small glass jar of vegan big mac sauce

    This vegan "Big Mac Sauce" recipe is a healthier version of McDonald's classic special sauce. It's slightly sweet, tangy, and deliciously creamy.

    Plus it's made with whole food, plant-based ingredients (no mayo!) and is dairy-free, gluten-free, and oil-free.

    Spoon it over your favorite veggie burger patties for wonderful flavor and texture!

    Raw cashews, pickle relish, spices, mustard, and vinegar ingredients laid out in small white bowls

    Ingredients for Vegan Big Mac Sauce

    For this recipe you will blend in a high-speed blender:

    • Raw cashews: You'll need a half cup of raw, unsalted cashews. We'll soak them first to help soften and blend into a creamier sauce.
    • Apple cider vinegar: Or you can substitute white vinegar if needed.
    • Dijon mustard: I like the flavor of Dijon, but yellow mustard could also work.
    • Pure maple syrup: I use this as a natural sweetener to help balance the flavors.
    • Dried onion powder: As always, be sure your pantry spices are fresh (not expired) for best flavor.
    • Dried garlic powder
    • Smoked paprika: I like the flavor of smoked paprika, but you could substitute regular sweet paprika instead if desired.
    • Sweet pickle relish: We will stir this in after blending the sauce. I use the "Field Day" brand organic pickle relish which doesn't contain any high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or synthetic colors. (You could also substitute chopped dill pickles instead.)
    • Salt: I use fine grain salt. You can also add black pepper to taste if desired.

    Blender note: I use a small Nutribullet for this recipe. A good high-powered blender works best to blend the sauce into a creamy consistency.

    Preparing vegan big mac burger sauce in a glass cup with spoon

    Customizing

    Cashew-free: Feel free to omit the cashews and use the more traditional vegan mayo (or plain & unsweetened vegan yogurt) for the creamy base instead.

    Flavors: For different flavor variations, add a little ketchup, BBQ sauce, or even hot sauce to the mixture before blending. You can also slightly adjust the vinegar, mustard, or spices to better suit your taste.

    Vegan southwest black bean burger with creamy sauce on a white plate

    Serving

    Burgers: Spoon this sauce over any of your favorite burgers, or even on wraps and sandwiches. My favorite is the Southwest Black Bean Burger pictured above!

    Dipping sauce: Change it up and dip your French fries, oven fries, or potato wedges in this creamy sauce.

    Dressing: Drizzle it over a vegan burger bowl or burger salad for a flavor-rich dressing.

    Storing

    Store any leftovers in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge. I find it keeps for about 4-5 days.

    Vegan big mac burger sauce in a white bowl with spoon

    For more inspiration, also browse all vegan sauce + seasoning recipes.

    Spoon dipping into a small glass jar of vegan big mac sauce

    Vegan Big Mac Sauce (No Mayo!)

    A creamy "Big Mac Sauce" copycat made healthier without mayo! Use it on burgers or as a flavorful dipping sauce for fries.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 4 (1/4-cup servings)

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked*)
    • 1/3 cup water (or more as needed)
    • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
    • 2 tsp. pure maple syrup
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1/4 tsp. salt (more/less to taste)
    • 3 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish (or chopped dill pickle)

    Instructions

    • Place all ingredients (except pickle relish) in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. Add a splash more water if needed to thin to desired consistency. Taste and adjust flavors if needed.
    • Stir in pickle relish.

    Notes

    *Soaking cashews: Before blending, soak the cashews in room temperature water for at least 4-6 hours or overnight. Then drain and rinse before using. Alternatively, you can "quick soak" the cashews: Place cashews in a heat-safe bowl and carefully add hot/boiling water until cashews are covered. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then rinse and drain.
    Yield: Recipe makes about 1 cup sauce.
    Storing: Store in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Big Mac Sauce (No Mayo!)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    120
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Potassium
     
    141
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    12
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    6
    g
    7
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    263
    IU
    5
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.3
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    16
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you're enjoying this vegan Big Mac Sauce recipe for burgers and fries, also check out:

    • Vegan Cashew Queso
    • Cashew Basil Pesto (Oil-Free)

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Vegan Sauce & Seasoning Recipes

    • Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus
    • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing (Oil-Free)
    • Vegan Cashew Queso
    • Lemon Dill Hummus (Oil-Free)

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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