Veg Mayonnaise (Eggless & Vegan)

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This creamy, healthy version of veg mayonnaise made with cashews is great for both vegans and vegetarians alike. If you are in search of an eggless, vegan, veg mayo recipe, look no further!

eggless mayonnaise in a glass jar with a small wooden spoon showing the thick consistency

Why this mayonnaise recipe works

Many of you have requested an eggless mayonnaise recipe, and after many trials, I have found a winner. This is a fool-proof recipe that tastes just like the real thing. It’s thick, creamy, and works perfectly in any recipe that calls for mayonnaise.

In my quest for the best veg mayonnaise recipe, I tried making mayo with dairy milk, almond milk, and soy milk but the results were not great.

The oil would separate when the mayo was refrigerated and sometimes the mayo would not thicken even after repeated blending.

Then I tested making mayo with cashews. Initially, I got a cashew paste and not something light or fluffy the way mayo is.

I tested with different combinations of oil and vinegar and finally came to these perfect proportions of a creamy, light, and smooth veg mayonnaise which actually looks like traditional mayonnaise and tastes even better than your classic mayo.

What is vegan mayonnaise/eggless mayonnaise made of?

This vegan mayonnaise uses pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. Apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard (or dried mustard powder), sugar, salt, pepper, and a touch of turmeric for color are combined with soaked cashews.

The mixture is blended until emulsified, light, and fluffy and I swear it tastes as good (if not better!) than regular mayonnaise.

What is the difference between regular mayo and vegan mayo

Normal mayonnaise made in the French style uses egg yolks that are emulsified with oil and vinegar. In an effort to come up with a vegan, eggless version, I turned to cashews, which are the darling of the vegan world.

Soaked cashews are a magical ingredient that can be used in everything from salad dressing to vegan cheese making. Their lack of skin and softer consistency combined with their high-fat content makes them a perfect doppelgänger for dairy products.

If you are allergic to eggs, avoiding dairy, or are vegan, this eggless mayonnaise recipe is sure to delight you.

I’m not sure how it is where you’re from, but it is often difficult to find vegan mayonnaise at the grocery store, but finding cashews, oil and vinegar is a breeze! As an added bonus, it is much cheaper than store-bought vegan mayonnaise.

How do you thicken veg mayonnaise

The trick to making thick mayonnaise is emulsifying it properly. For this process, you’ll need a blender, immersion blender, or food processor, as hand beating just won’t have the power needed to blend the nuts into a cream.

To properly emulsify something – which means that you are for all intents and purposes combining water and oil – you should start your blender on low speed and slowly work it up to high.

If your mayonnaise is coming out too runny, it is likely that you used a tad too much water in making it. You can attempt to rectify this by soaking an extra tablespoon or two of cashews, then draining them thoroughly and adding them to your mix.

If the result is now a bit too thick, slowly drizzle in a bit of oil while the blender is on until the proper consistency is achieved.

Is eggless mayonnaise good for you?

While mayonnaise is certainly not regarded as a “health food” in normal circumstances, this vegan version is much healthier. The cashews are filled with fiber, protein, heart-healthy fats, and nutrients like magnesium.

Apple cider vinegar is a potent vehicle for probiotics, which are important for your gut health. Wherever possible, try to get organic apple cider vinegar that still has the “mother,” which will yield the greatest health benefits.

This eggless mayonnaise is also lower in fat and cholesterol than normal mayo, and since you’re making it from scratch, there are no artificial ingredients or preservatives to speak of. That all sounds pretty healthy to me!

glass jar and small earthenware bowl with vegan mayonnaise on a grey and white marble tabletop
Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Veg Mayonnaise

1. Rinse 1 cup cashews (125 grams) thoroughly in water. Drain all the water and discard it.

TIP: Use raw unsalted cashews for this recipe. It is okay to use cashew pieces if they are less expensive, as long as they are raw and unsalted.

raw unsalted cashews in a bowl

2. Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with enough warm water. Soak them for 30 minutes.

raw cashews soaking in water

3. Drain and discard all the water from the soaked cashews and add nuts to a blender. Also add 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon raw sugar, 1 pinch of turmeric powder, 6 black peppercorns, ½ teaspoon rock salt.

TIP: You can sub 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder in place of dijon mustard.

soaked raw cashews, salt, pepper, mustard, and turmeric in the bowl of a blender

4. Add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

TIP: If you prefer a Japanese style vegan mayonnaise, which is slightly sweeter and tangier, simply increase the amount of sugar used to 1 tablespoon, the mustard to 2 teaspoons, and the apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) to 2 tablespoons and follow the same method.

tablespoon of apple cider vinegar above the blender filled with eggless mayonnaise ingredients

5. Add 2 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral tasting oil.

TIP: It is very important to use a neutral oil when making mayonnaise. Some good options are canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or avocado oil. Do not use oil that has a unique aroma or flavor as your mayo will also have it. Avoid coconut oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, olive oil.

tablespoon filled with oil above the vegan mayo ingredients before they have been blended

6. While the blender is running, slowly add 7 to 8 tablespoons water in parts and blend until smooth and creamy.

TIP: Need to use this eggless mayonnaise straightaway? Only add 4 to 5 tablespoons of water. The veg mayonnaise will thicken in the refrigerator, so 7 to 8 tablespoons water works perfectly if you have time to let it set up. If you opt to use less water to use the mayo right away, be sure to use the entire recipe or it will become too thick in the refrigerator.

blender filled with veg mayonnaise

7. Pour your completed vegan mayonnaise into a clean jar or airtight container. Seal it tightly and refrigerate. This eggless mayo stays good for a month in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for 3 months.

TIP: Be sure to use an airtight container to store your eggless mayonnaise. This delicate mix will take on the flavors of anything in the air, so if you store cut onions or garlic in the refrigerator, you may end up with an unwanted flavor.

glass jar filled with vegan mayo on a black background

What do you use this eggless mayo for?

You can use this deliciously creamy vegan mayonnaise in place of regular mayo in any recipe. Use it for Coleslaw, salads dressings like in this Apple Salad, Potato Salad, or sandwiches like Mayonnaise Sandwich, or a Burger or as toppings for French Fries, Potato Wedges, cabbage pancakes, as a spread on bread, dips or in pies like tomato pie.

I love veg mayonnaise with my salads and even on sandwiches or burgers. I share two recipes for eggless mayonnaise here.

One is the classic version minus the eggs and the second is the Japanese style mayo which is sweeter. I have shared the ingredients and method for Japanese mayo in the notes section of the recipe card. You choose whichever you like or prefer.

eggless mayonnaise in a bowl with a small wooden spoon showing the thick consistency
Tips

Expert Tips + FAQs

Can I omit the sugar?

The sugar in this recipe is quite a small amount (even in the Japanese style mayo). It is used to help balance out the sourness from the mustard and vinegar, resulting in a slightly sweeter product that won’t pack as much of a pucker-inducing punch.

That said, if you are trying to avoid sugar or are on the Whole30/Paleo diet, you can either omit the sugar entirely or substitute a suitable sweetener instead.

Is there a different nut that I can use instead of cashews?

I found this vegan mayo tastes the best when made with cashews. It is neither runny nor loose, rather it is creamy and thick and tastes so good in any recipe that calls for mayonnaise.

Soaked almonds or macadamia nuts will also work, but the taste will be different. Just make sure that whatever nut you use is raw and unsalted.

What oil is best for this vegan mayo recipe?

As long as you’re using a neutral-flavored oil that doesn’t solidify at room temperature, you should be fine. Avocado, grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil all work well.

Can I substitute something for the dijon mustard?

You can opt to use french mustard or any blended mustard (not whole grain) or ground mustard powder. That said, the mustard is an important part of the emulsification process, so do not omit it.

Why does my mayonnaise look thin?

Sounds like you have added a lot of water while blending. Be sure to drain all of the water from the cashews before adding them to the blender, and add the water in a slow drizzle as the blender is going to ensure you get the right consistency.

Can I skip the turmeric?

Yes, you can!

What should I use if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

You can opt to use lemon juice or plain white vinegar instead.

What if I don’t have a blender?

You will need some kind of high powered machine to cream the cashews appropriately. If you do not have a blender, you can use either a food processor or an immersion blender.

More Handy Condiment Recipes!

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Veg Mayonnaise (Vegan and Eggless)

This deliciously creamy vegan mayonnaise recipe is even better than the regular stuff! Use it in place of regular mayonnaise in any application.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Soaking Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Cuisine American, World
Course Condiment
Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy

Equipment

  • Blender, Immersion Blender or Food Processor
Servings 16 tablespoons
Units

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews – 125 grams
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil or any neutral tasting oil
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard or mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon raw sugar
  • 1 pinch turmeric powder
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • ½ teaspoon rock salt (edible and food grade)
  • 7 to 8 tablespoons water

Instructions
 

  • Rinse cashews thoroughly in water. Drain all the water and discard it. 
  • Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with enough warm water. Soak them for 30 minutes.
  • Drain and discard all the water from the soaked cashews and add nuts to a blender. Also add dijon mustard, raw sugar, turmeric powder, black peppercorns and rock salt. 
  • Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. 
  • Add the sunflower oil or any neutral tasting oil. 
  • While the blender is running, slowly add 7 to 8 tablespoons water in parts and blend until smooth and creamy. 
  • Pour your completed vegan mayonnaise into a clean jar or airtight container. Seal it tightly and refrigerate. This eggless mayo stays good for a month in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it for 3 months. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Veg Mayonnaise (Vegan and Eggless)
Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoon veg mayonnaise)
Calories 62 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 78mg3%
Potassium 58mg2%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 3µg3%
Calcium 5mg1%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 2µg1%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 24mg6%
Phosphorus 48mg5%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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