Vegan Burger Sauce

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Vegan Burger Sauce | This delicious and creamy burger sauce will take your burgers to the next level! This sauce is easy to make, with just soaked cashews and some basic burger condiments but the payoff is great. This vegan burger sauce recipe will elevate your summer grilling while still being quick + easy and wholesome.

A peachy sauce in a bowl with a wooden spoon in it.

Vegan burger sauces are most commonly made by using a vegan mayo product, which is totally fine, but a cashew base makes this sauce super creamy and luscious.

This burger sauce recipe is dairy-free and oil-free but the use of cashews keeps it firmly in the thick and creamy category.

This recipe starts with soaked cashews which you can read more about in my article How to Soak Cashews | 3 ways.

My favorite method for soaking cashews is the overnight method where I soak the cashews in water for 8 hours. The cashews are plump and soft and whip up really easily!

Next, you’ll add ketchup and mustard, some chopped pickles plus a bit of their juice, a splash of vinegar, and pinch of salt and sugar. Every ingredient contributes and the result is a sauce that will take your burgers from average to absolutely amazing.

Did I mention you can dip fries in it? And make Beyond Beef Big Mac Quesadillas? Cuz you totally can and it’s totally delicious. FYI, this sauce is easy to double or triple. You know, for crowds.. right? *wink*

Think Bic Mac sauce mixed with In n Out sauce. That’s the vibe. Try it out!

Ingredients

This is a brief overview of the ingredients used in this recipe followed by substitution ideas. Read the recipe card for measurements.

cashew sauce: This is just soaked cashews blended with water or plant milk. In this case I use water.
ketchup + mustard: ketchup and mustard give the classic burger flavors to this sauce while also give a tang and sharpness. These two ingredients also give this sauce it’s peachy color.
pickle: Pickles and their juice give – you guessed it – a pickled flavor to this sauce. They give a tangy tartness plus a bit of texture.
vinegar, salt, sugar: In order these give a sour, salt, and sweet flavor and help give balance to the sauce. Skip any of them and you’ll miss out.

Substitutions

cashews: you can use vegan mayo instead.
pickles: use relish instead.

Instructions

Prep Tips

Soak the cashews in advance and blend them with water as shown in the posts: How to Soak Cashews + Cashew Sauce.
Appliance: I use my Ninja Blender cup attachment to whip the cashews and water together.

Once your cashews are soaked and whipped this sauce takes only minutes to make.

Cashews are whipped with water in a ninja blender cup.

Whip soaked cashews with water.

White cashew cream is poured into a white bowl.

Add the cashew cream to a bowl.

A blue mini spatula stirs mayo, ketchup, mustard, and chopped pickles together in a white bowl.

Add the ketchup, mustard, pickles, pickle juice, vinegar, salt, and sugar.

Mix well.

what is burger sauce?

The ingredients for burger sauce vary but it’s usually some variation on a mixture of mayo, mustard, and ketchup, similar to the sauce on Big Macs or In n’ Out burgers.

Tips for Making plant-based burger sauce

soaked cashews: soaking the cashews is what gives you a super creamy base for this sauce. Use any method you prefer like overnight soaking, quick soaking in boiling water, or boiling the cashews on the stovetop. I prefer overnight soaking my cashews for the softest cashews but the other two methods work well also.
high-powered blender: A high powered blender really helps to whip cashews into a smooth saucy texture. I like using the blender cup on my Ninja Blender.
spice it up: want a spicy sauce? Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce to your sauce.

What to serve with Vegan Burger Sauce

First and foremost this burger sauce is great on burgers. Try my Chickpea Burger (coming soon). You can also dip fries or roasted veggies in this sauce or use to to make Big Mac Quesadillas or Tacos. Try this sauce as a sandwich spread or on a grain bowl.

Storage

This cashew sauce will last in the fridge for 4-5 days.

You can freeze this cashew sauce for 4-6 months.

FAQ

How can I make the sauce spicier?

To make this sauce spicy you can ask red pepper flakes cayenne powder, diced jalapeños, or hot sauce.

Can I freeze this sauce?

Yes you can freeze this sauce for 4-6 months.

How long can I store the sauce in the refrigerator?

This sauce will keep for up to a week in the fridge.

Can I make this sauce without a blender?

You can try using a food processor instead of a blender.