Whip up this vegan copycat Chick-fil-A sauce at home. It's super easy and super easy to make vegan. Use it for dipping, slathering on sandwiches, or even as a salad dressing.
Ah, the legendary Chick-fil-A sauce – it's like the culinary equivalent of a siren's call, leading the masses to sit at a drive-thru forever as if the secret recipe will make everything taste better... ehem...for those who don't know, well, it does.
Unfortunately, it's not vegan.
Around here, we're not exactly the drive-thru type, even with the growing availability of plant-based options.
However, when that "fast food" craving does strike - and it does with three kiddos - our vegan take on the classic Chick-fil-A sauce is great to make at home.
With just a few vegan substitutions, we've created a copycat sauce that's not only incredibly tasty but also satisfies our fast-food urges any day of the week - yes, even on Sundays.
If you like copycat recipes, check out Vegan Taco Bell Jalapeno Sauce, Vegan Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie (BJ's Copycat), and Vegan Tunacado Sandwich. And for more dips and sauces, check out Vegan Game Day Dips and Sauces.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's tangy, sweet, and smoky, just like the original, but made entirely plant-based!
- Easy to whip up.
- It uses simple ingredients.
- Works great as a dip or spread for everything from fries to sandwiches.
Ingredients
Here's a look at what you'll be using. Technically, this sauce misses the criteria for our popular 5 in 5 sauces (five ingredients in five minutes) - it's more like 8 in 5, slightly more crowded but equally swift. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: I've never met a vegan mayo I didn't like and there are so many in the market now that are comparable in price with regular mayo. Pick your favorite.
- BBQ sauce: I use Kansas City style - a tomato-based sauce that carries a sweet yet tangy flavor and a subtle smokiness - perfect for this sauce.
- Maple Syrup: Substitute with agave.
- Yellow Mustard and Dijon Mustard - I like the tang of the Dijon, but if you don't have any, the sauce will still come out darn close to the original.
- Garlic Powder and Smoked Paprika are optional.
How To Make A Vegan Chick-fil-A Sauce
Like many of our other sauces and dressings, this Chick-fil-A sauce recipe is the epitome of simplicity - just dump and mix! See the recipe card for more details.
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Mix until smooth. That's it! You may want to refrigerate for 30 minutes to incorporate the flavors well.
Top Tips
- To achieve a flavor that's as close to the real deal as possible, stick to classic BBQ sauce and mustard. Avoid reaching for the spicy barbecue or spicy brown mustard varieties if you're aiming for that authentic taste.
- Chilling the sauce causes it to thicken a bit. If it’s on the runny side, a couple more tablespoons of mayo will do the trick without affecting the flavor balance.
- The choice of BBQ sauce can affect sweetness, so you might need to dial back the maple syrup to two tablespoons instead of three.
Serving Suggestions
In case you're looking beyond the usual fries or vegan nuggets and crave some inspiration from a couple of my recipes, here are a few more suggestions:
- Of course, a crispy vegan chicken patty, nestled between soft buns with pickles and lettuce is a classic for a reason!
- Use it as a dipping sauce for oven-baked or air-fried potato wedges or Delicious Air-Fryer Fries.
- Drizzle it over a mixed green salad or a hearty vegan Cobb salad for a creamy, tangy twist.
- Toss some roasted chickpeas in the sauce for a flavorful snack that’s crunchy and satisfying.
- Elevate your burger by spreading some of this sauce on the buns. Try it on these black bean burgers.
Chick-fil-A Sauce FAQS
Yes. Always double-check the ingredients in the BBQ sauce and mustard to be sure.
Store this Chick-fil-A sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This little gem will keep its flavor for up to two weeks, ready for your snacks and meals whenever the craving hits. Just stir it well before use.
Have a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Vegan Chick-fil-A Sauce. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Vegan "Chick-fil-A" Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce I use Kansas City style
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup*
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- juice of half a lemon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
- pinch smoked paprika optional
Instructions
- Whisk: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all the ingredients together.
- Chill: Let your sauce chill in the fridge for 30 minutes for the best flavor.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite vegan nuggets, fries, or whatever deserves a dunk in this golden glory.
Madison says
Love this! It really tastes super close to the traditional.
Regi Pearce says
It really does, right?! It's my new favorite. It's in the fridge all time. Thanks for the comment.
Alan says
OMG, now I'm putting this on everything 😉