The Best Vegan Yum Yum Sauce Recipe

Vegan yum yum sauce is a popular Japanese-inspired condiment that’s tangy, creamy, and absolutely delicious! It’s easy to make, healthy, and versatile. Drizzle it on top of stir-fries or use it as the perfect dipping sauce.

If you’ve ever been to a Japanese restaurant and sat around the hibachi grill then you know all about Yum Yum Sauce. Some might also know it as Japanese white sauce, sakura sauce, or hibachi sauce, but whatever you call it, the bottom line is it’s freaking YUMMY!

Creamy, tangy, and a little sweetness along with a little heat, make this dairy-free sauce the perfect salad dressing, sandwich spread, or anytime dip for something like these crispy french fries.

This recipe was actually inspired by my vegan Sriracha mayo while making my Cajun Blackened Tofu Sandwich. (I don’t why I told you that, I just felt like it) I guess it’s because as much as I like sauces I had yet to create the yum yum one. Well, it’s here now and it’s free of eggs, and dairy, and it’s gluten-free.

So, if you like creamy sauces like I like creamy sauces, LET’S DO THIS!

Jump to:

• What is yum yum sauce made of?
• How to make vegan yum yum sauce
• Substitutions
• Storage
• More delicious vegan sauces
• What do I serve with vegan yum yum sauce?
• The Best Vegan Yum Yum Sauce
• 💬 Community

What is yum yum sauce made of?

You only need a few simple everyday ingredients to make one of the tastiest sauces in your fridge. It’s fast, simple, and just spectacular.

• vegan mayo (use my cashew mayo or tofu mayo)
• organic ketchup
• Sriracha
• maple syrup for sweetness
• rice vinegar
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• salt and pepper to taste

See the recipe card below the post for a detailed list and exact quantities.

How to make vegan yum yum sauce

This “usually” unhealthy mayonnaise-based Japanese steakhouse sauce is glorious when drizzled over grilled tofu, roasted veggies, or any rice dish. Slather it on your favorite veggie burger, and use it as a dipping sauce for oil-free potato chips, a sauce on this whole wheat pizza crust, or even as a salad dressing.

Here’s how simple it is to make. Let’s do it!

Combine: Place all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl or large measuring cup.

Mix: Whisk all of the ingredients together until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

There’s no limit to this all-purpose sauce, it’s an everyday gift! It’s the perfect balance of savoriness, sweetness, tang, and a dash of heat. Enjoy!

Hint: use it in place of BBQ sauce and baste your vegetables or tofu when you’re grilling.

Substitutions

Here are a few suggestions for substitutions in the event you find yourself without some of the main ingredients.

• Tomato paste – tomato paste is a good option if you don’t have ketchup because it’s essentially ketchup with no sugar or salt. So, be sure and season accordingly.
• Hot sauce – if you don’t have Sriracha use your favorite hot sauce. It will affect the flavor slightly but it’s still delicious.
• Paprika – use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprika.
• Cayenne pepper – sprinkle in a bit of cayenne if you feel like adding a little spice to your life.

HINT: The sauce is excellent when you want a simple but delicious meal. Whip up a pot of plain brown rice and drown it in this Yum Yum sauce. Easy, done, and awesome.

Storage

Make ahead. This vegan yum yum sauce recipe is perfect for making ahead because the flavors get even better after it has been in the fridge for several hours. So by all means, make up a batch today to enjoy at its best tomorrow.

Storing. Keep it stored in the fridge in a covered container for up to a week. It will thicken as it sits in the fridge so add a little water and stir to thin it out if needed.

More delicious vegan sauces

Looking for other delicious sauce recipes like this? Try these:

What do I serve with vegan yum yum sauce?

You can enjoy this sauce on rice or stir-fries, but I love using it as a dipping sauce or sandwich spread. Try it with these awesome recipes:

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