A creamy vegan cashew butter (or tahini) sauce that tastes delicious on just about everything! It’s a little cheesy, a little zesty, and ever so slightly smokey and best of all, there’s no oil, no dairy, no sugar, no whisking and no blending! Just add a few simple ingredients to a bowl and mix it up!
I SERVE IT WITH:
- Tacos
- Nourish bowls
- Salads
- As a Sandwich or Veggie Burger Spread
- As a Dip for veggies
- Nachos alongside salsa and guacamole
- Oven baked potato wedges or sweet potato fries
It also happens to be dairy-free, oil-free and sugar-free and best of all, there’s no blending, no whisking, and after you make this a few times, you probably won’t even need to measure because it’s very forgiving.
Want it to be cheeasier? Add some extra nooch! Want a spicy version? Sprinkle in some extra cayenne or mix in a little chili paste! Think it could use some herbs? Go for it! Fresh dill or cilantro are great options and dried sage is nice too. Note if I use dried sage or rosemary I omit the smoked paprika and just use regular.
THE One Minute Sauce can become whatever you like it to be with just a few personalized tweaks, but I happen to think it’s delicious as is and it really has become a staple in kitchen.
INGREDEINTS
You can choose to use raw Cashew Butter or Tahini as the base for this creamy sauce. I make it both ways from time to time, depending on my mood. Either option will provide some healthy fats and protein and since they’re both silky smooth and creamy, there’s no need to add oil to this sauce.
Onion Granules: A must when dairy-free “cheesy” sauces. I think the combination of onion granules + nutritional yeast + salt + some sort of creamy base like cashew butter or tahini = an excellent cheesy sauce every time. You’ll notice that most of my creamy sauces call for onion granules like my Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce, my Sage Cream Sauce, and my Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese. It’s a game changer and I like to use granules instead of powder whenever possible.
Smoked Paprika: a little goes a long way but it really gives this sauce a wonderful depth of flavor and slight smokiness that I just love. Look for “smoked” rather “sweet” or “hot” paprika. They’re not all made the same!
NUT-FREE OPTIONS
I love to make this recipe with cashew butter, but I often make it with tahini instead. Both options are great. Note: Cashew Butter offers a more creamy, mild flavor that really lets the spices shine. I recommend using raw cashew butter without added sugar or oil like Artisana’s. I get it on Thrive Market to save a few dollars.
If you’re using tahini, the flavor will be slightly nuttier but still incredibly delicious. Opt for a light colored, runny tahini like Whole Foods 365 Organic Tahini or Simple Truth Organic Tahini. Both are delicious and nicely salted too. When using tahini, I often add 1/2 tsp of maple for balance.
Can I Make It Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! This sauce keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Keep in mind it will thicken up as it rests so add an extra splash of water as needed to thin it back out.
The One Minute Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup raw cashew butter or light tahini no sugar or oil added
- 1/2 of a large lime about 1 tbsp of juice
- 4-5 tbsp warm water
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules or powder
- 1/2 tsp onion granules
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt I use Morton's
- 5 dashes cayenne
- 1/2 tsp maple syrup optional if using tahini, not neccessary for cashew butter
Instructions
Make the Base
- Add the cashew butter or tahini, lime juice and 1 tbsp of water to a small bowl and stir. It will start to thicken and become lumpy…dont worry, that's normal. Just stir until the water is absorbed.Then add another 2 tbsp of water. Stir again until completely smooth and slightly lighter in color. Continue adding water one tablespoon at a time and stirring in between until it reaches the desired consistency. Important: For cashew butter (depending on the brand you use) you may need less water. It depends on how thick you want the sauce to be. So just add it gradually until it looks good to you! Tip: Warm water works best, cold water makes it harder to mix.
Spice It Up!
- Next add the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Taste and add more salt or seasoning as desired.
Serve
- Serve drizzled on top of tacos, potato wedges or serve as a spread on sandwiches or veggie burgers. I love this spooned on top of nourish bowls with rice, lentils, roasted veggies and avocado. It's all good! Hope you enjoy 😊
Tip:
- Some brands of tahini are salted (the options I recommended above are salted) so this recipe was designed with that in mind. If you're using an unsalted tahini or cashew butter, add additional salt to taste.
Notes
If you like this recipe please leave a comment and rate this post below! And if you’re on Instagram, tag me in a pic so I can see your recreation! @nikkivegan
For more free vegan recipes, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel here.
Hey! I’m Nicole and I make practical vegan recipes for REAL life. I cook with simple, easy to find ingredients and I’m passionate about creating delicious plant-based meals that everyone will love!
I hope you enjoy my recipes and videos :) Happy Cooking!
Find me on: Instagram
