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    Home » Dressings, Gravies and Sauces

    Cashew Mayo

    Published: Aug 16, 2021 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    pin showing front view of mayo in mason jar on kitchen towel with spoon next to it

    This cashew mayo is a creamy, oil-free alternative to store-bought vegan mayo. Perfect for using as a sandwich spread or in your favorite potato or pasta salad. Plus it's low in fat and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients!

    Jump to Recipe
    front view of cashew mayo in a mason jar on kitchen towel with some cashews around and a spoon next to it

    If you're looking for a creamy vegan mayonnaise that's lower in fat and calories than the store-bought varieties, you've got to try this cashew mayo.

    Just like my tofu mayo, this cashew version contains no oil, and is perfect for those avoiding added oils or cutting back on them.

    It works great as a sandwich spread but is also absolutely amazing in pasta and potato salads. I tried it in my vegan dill potato salad and it was da bomb for reals. 😉

    This cashew mayo recipe is also perfect for using in our basic vegan potato salad.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients you'll need for cashew mayonnaise
    • How to make cashew mayo - step by step
    • Tips
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Cashew Mayo

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • No need to use silken tofu
    • Easily stored in mason jars or other airtight container
    • Ready in only 35 minutes
    • No additives or preservatives, only whole foods and spices
    • Tastes better than regular mayonnaise
    • Wonderful creamy texture that's perfect for when you want mayo while following a whole food plant-based diet

    Ingredients you'll need for cashew mayonnaise

    • Raw Cashews
    • Filtered Water
    • Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
    • Distilled White Vinegar
    • Dijon Mustard
    • Fine Sea Salt

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make cashew mayo - step by step

    Soak the cashews in boiling hot water for 30 minutes or in cold water at room temperature for 6-8 hours.

    Add the water and the remaining ingredients to a high-powered blender.

    water, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard and sea salt in blender

    Drain and rinse the soaked cashews and add them to the high-speed blender.

    cashews added to blender after soaking

    Blend on high for about a total of 5-7 minutes until very smooth and creamy.

    all ingredients blended together in blender

    Tips

    • You will need to stop and scrape the sides of the blender with a silicone spatula a few times during the process to get all of the homemade cashew mayo.
    • If needed, add more water and blend again.
    • Taste test and add more lemon juice and/or salt if desired and blend again.
    • If you don't have a blender, you can use a food processor, it may just take longer or you may need to work in batches.
    • Some people like a hint of sweetness to their mayo, if this is you, you can add just a dash of maple syrup.
    • If you have the time next time you make this recipe, you can soak your cashews for up to a few hours for even more creaminess.
    • The white vinegar and lemon juice are what brings such a bright tangy flavor to this recipe. If you want to tone down the tang but still have some, lower the vinegar and just use lemon juice, or vice versa. We find that vinegar brings a bit more than to this recipe than the lemon juice alone. So adjust as you see fit. It's a great recipe to work from and use as a base recipe to tweak to suit your tastebuds.
    overhead view of mayo in a mason jar on kitchen towel with some cashews around and a spoon next to it

    Equipment

    If you are using the boiling water method to soak your cashews, I love using an electric kettle for boiling the water because it boils super fast.

    To blend the mayo, you'll need a high-powered blender such as a Ninja.

    Storage

    Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator (a mason jar or other glass jars work work best) for up to a week.

    slightly overhead front view of mayo in a mason jar on kitchen towel with some cashews around and a spoon next to it

    Frequently asked questions

    Is vegan mayo healthier than regular real mayo?

    Classic mayonnaise is higher in cholesterol, as cashew mayo tends to have none. Vegan mayo is usually lower in saturated fat and carbohydrates. This vegan mayo recipe is oil free, where many other vegan mayou recipes contain some kind of mayo, so if you're looking for a healthier mayo to make over the original recipe, than this cashew mayo is for you! It really is the best vegan mayo recipe out there.

    Does this have to be refrigerated?

    Technically this does not have any perishables in the mayo recipe, however when mixed together, this spread should be kept cold in the refrigerator, so we do recommend storing this great recipe in the refrigerator when not using it in your homemade recipes.

    close up front view of mayo in mason jar with spoon next to it
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Cashew Mayo

    This cashew mayo is a creamy, oil-free alternative to store-bought vegan mayo. Perfect for using as a sandwich spread or in a potato or pasta salad. Plus it's low in fat and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients!
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
    Keyword cashews, dairy-free, egg free, gluten free, mayo, vegan
    Prep Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 16 (makes approximately 1 cup; serving size 1 tablespoon)
    Calories 41kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews
    • ½ cup filtered water
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste if desired
    • 1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½-1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste if desired

    Instructions

    • Soak cashews in boiling water for 30 minutes or in cold water at room temperature (covered) for 6-8 hours.
    • Add filtered water and the remaining ingredients to a high-powered blender.
    • Drain and rinse cashews and add to the blender.
    • Blend on high for about a total of 5-7 minutes until very smooth and creamy. You will need to stop and scrape the sides of the blender with a silicone spatula a few times during the process. Taste test and add more lemon juice and/or salt if desired and blend again. Use right away or refrigerate until ready to use.

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Suggested Equipment/Tools

    Electric Kettle
    High-Powered Blender

    Notes

    Store mayo in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator (a mason jar works best) for up to a week.
    The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g

    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

    Learn more about me

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