Vegan Yum Yum Sauce

If you're looking for a creamy, tangy, and vegan-friendly sauce that can take your dishes to the next level, look no further than a delicious Vegan Yum Yum Sauce!

When I was growing up in South Florida, we often went to a Japanese steakhouse in Miami called Samurai, which was similar to Benihana. It offered a teppanyaki experience where chefs cooked and performed right at your table. The atmosphere was fantastic, and I was obsessed with the ‘pink’ sauce—I’d smother it all over the vegetable fried rice…drool-worthy!

If you’re a fan of American-Japanese cuisine or Japanese steakhouses, you’ve likely encountered this sauce, known as yum yum sauce, shrimp sauce, Japanese white sauce, or hibachi sauce, at places like Benihana. As a vegan, you might think this sauce is off-limits—but fear not! Here is a vegan version you can enjoy. This vegan yum sauce is creamy, tangy, and versatile, perfect for adding flavor to various dishes.

If you're looking for other creamy sauces to liven up your dishes, try Nut Free Vegan Cheese Sauce, Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce, and Vegan Ranch Dressing to spice up any dish. But if you enjoy experimenting with sauces at home, I have a quick and easy method for making hundreds of vegan sauces in How to Make Homemade Vegan Sauces.

Jump to:

• VEGAN YUM YUM SAUCE
• RECIPE INGREDIENTS
• INGREDIENT NOTES
• HOW TO MAKE VEGAN YUM YUM SAUCE
• TOP TIPS
• SERVING SUGGESTIONS
• ADDITIONS AND VARIATIONS
• FAQS
• Recipe
• Comments

VEGAN YUM YUM SAUCE

Yum Yum Sauce, with its signature pale pink or orange hue and silky texture, is made from a base of mayonnaise with tomato paste or ketchup, butter, garlic, and seasonings.

It’s mildly sweet, a little tangy, and savory enough to make everything from grilled meats to fried rice sing. While it’s a star in American-Japanese cuisine, you won't find it in a traditional Japanese kitchen. This saucy sensation was cooked up in the U.S. to tickle our taste buds, and it’s the VIP or VIS (very important sauce) at every teppanyaki table.

In this vegan yum yum sauce, we use egg-free mayonnaise made from plant-based oils and emulsifiers instead of traditional mayonnaise, which contains eggs. You can't tell the difference...I promise. Additionally, vegan butter and cashew cream ensure the sauce remains completely plant-based.

Despite these substitutions, this vegan yum yum sauce still delivers the same creamy, tangy, and savory flavor, making it a perfect match for grilled dishes, veggies, and tons more vegan dishes.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

This is a super easy recipe with simple ingredients. See the recipe card for quantities.

INGREDIENT NOTES

Vegan Mayo - Many vegan mayonnaises are on the market, both in the refrigerated section and shelves, so experiment to find the one you love. I haven't met one that I don't like, but their flavors do vary slightly.

Paprika - If you do not like sweet paprika, use smoky paprika.

Vegan Butter - This adds richness, creaminess, and overall flavor, making the sauce more indulgent and smooth. I always aim to prioritize flavor in all my recipes without too much attention to the indulgence factor so I have to include it in the recipe but if you need to leave this ingredient out, I can look the other way.

Cashew Cream—The traditional yum yum sauce adds heavy cream for a delicious texture. I substitute it with homemade cashew cream, which gives it a creaminess and richness and creates a smooth, luxurious texture that I think is missing if you leave it out. You can also substitute it with store-bought cashew cream or an unsweetened vegan creamer.

HOW TO MAKE VEGAN YUM YUM SAUCE

This is an easy sauce but requires a cashew cream to prepare.

Cashew cream is easy to make and can be stored in the fridge beforehand. It is a great substitute for heavy cream in this sauce.

To make, soften cashews by boiling them for 30 minutes first, or take a look at the Guide to Soaking Cashews for other ideas.

Mix the softened, drained cashews with ¾ cups of water and mix in a high-powered blender until smooth and creamy with no chunks. It should have a cream consistency. Squeeze about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the mixture to give a slightly tangy flavor.

Now you're ready to make the vegan yum yum sauce.

TOP TIPS

Blend the cashew cream until smooth to avoid chunks in the sauce. Even if you have a high-powered blender, I always recommend soaking the cashews for the cream because it adds a slightly more silky texture.

Store vegan Yum Yum Sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• Drizzle Over Grilled/Roasted Vegetables: This recipe adds a creamy, flavorful finish to grilled/roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, Brussels spouts, and asparagus.
• Dip Fried or Baked Tofu. This is a great dipping sauce for Everything Bagel Crispy Tofu or Smoked Tofu.
• Sushi and Rice Bowls: Drizzle yum yum sauce over vegan sushi rolls or any rice bowl - my favorite. It pairs especially well with avocado, cucumber, and seaweed.
• Top Veggie Burgers: Spread it on a veggie burger bun or use it as a topping like in Chipotle Black Bean Burger.
• Serve with Roasted Potatoes or Fries: Vegan yum yum sauce makes an excellent dip for roasted potatoes, sweet potato fries, or Delicious Air-Fryer Fries.
• Salad Dressing: Thin it with a little water and use it as a salad dressing. It works well on green salads, especially those with Asian-inspired ingredients like sesame seeds, mandarin oranges, or almonds.
• Dip for Spring Rolls: Pair vegan yum yum sauce with fresh spring rolls, fried spring rolls, or summer rolls.
• Over Stir-Fries: Drizzle it over stir-fried vegetables and rice or noodles.
• Dip for Fresh Veggies: Serve the sauce as a dip for fresh vegetable sticks like carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers on a charcuterie board.
• Tacos and Wraps: Use it as a sauce in tacos, burritos, or wraps.
• Vegan Shrimp: Try it with a homemade or store-bought vegan shrimp.

ADDITIONS AND VARIATIONS

• For a spicy kick, mix in a bit of cayenne, sriracha or another hot sauce.
• Add smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor.
• Add a splash of rice vinegar or mirin for a tangier flavor. Use about 1 tablespoon, then adjust to taste.
• Double the garlic powder or add finely minced fresh garlic for a more intense flavor.

FAQS

What did you think?

Have a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this Vegan Yum Yum Sauce recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Did you add any twists? I want to know if my directions were any good. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

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