A quick and deliciously Creamy Garlic Sauce that goes with almost anything! Make a batch for the week and add it to Buddha Bowls, roasted veggies, or use it in place of sour cream.
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This versatile sauce is packed with heart-healthy fats, a modest amount of plant-based protein, and tastes amazing. You can also add it to soups, stews, and curries for a creamier texture. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
This sauce recipe was inspired by my Creamy Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing, as well as this Easy Vegan Mayonnaise recipe on my site.
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👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- Cashews give garlic sauce a creamy texture and add heart healthy fats and a modest amount of protein.
- Chives add a mild onion flavor similar to leeks. They are rich in several nutrients and antioxidants.
- Garlic - I used raw garlic cloves, but you can use roasted garlic instead for a slightly sweeter, and even creamier sauce. (Use 1 small head roasted garlic to replace the 3 raw cloves.)
See recipe card for quantities.
🧄 Substitutions
- Chives - the chives can be replaced with a different herb (parsley, dill, basil, cilantro)
- Cashews - use firm silken tofu, or soaked almonds or sunflower seeds instead for this creamy garlic sauce
This Lazy Buddha Bowl with Creamy Garlic Sauce recipe on my website works great with this sauce! Visit my Vegan Side Dish Recipes page for more vegan dips and spreads.
📖 How to Make Creamy Garlic Sauce
Step 1. Soak the cashews in boiled water for at least 10 minutes. Over soak overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 2. Drain the cashews and rinse them in a fine mesh strainer.
Step 3. Transfer the cashews, garlic, chives, lemon juice, and ½ cup water to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add more water as needed until the desired consistency. Season with salt, and more lemon juice to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs.
Step 4. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Drizzle on Buddha bowls, and roasted veggies, use as a dip for crudités, or add it to curries and soups for creaminess.
💡 Expert Tips
- Equipment: Use a high-speed blender for best results. It's a worthwhile investment especially if you plan on making more vegan sauces, homemade nut butter, or dairy-free milk!
- Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Creamy Garlic Sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Garlic aioli is typically made from lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper mixed with mayonnaise. However, this is more of a dressing, and not as thick and creamy as an aioli. It is made with cashews instead of mayonnaise.
Garlic offers multiple health benefits. Research has shown that garlic oil works as an anti-inflammatory, and can have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure. It may also help boost immunity.
You will likely get the most benefit from raw garlic, which is why this Creamy Garlic Sauce is so healthful. If you choose to cook it, do not heat it above 140º Fahrenheit (60º Celsius). Higher temperatures kill the allicin (one of the main active compounds in garlic), so add garlic to your recipes when you're almost done cooking.
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Creamy Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in boiled water for 10 minutes, orovernight, drained*
- 3 small cloves garlic
- 7 chives or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice plus more to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Blend: Transfer the cashews, garlic, chives, lemon juice, and ½ cup water to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add more water as needed until the desired consistency.
- Season with salt, and more lemon juice to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs.
Notes
- Substitute the cashews with silken firm tofu, or ½ cup soaked sunflower seeds
- Equipment: Use a high-speed blender for best results. It's a worthwhile investment especially if you plan on making more vegan sauces, homemade nut butters, or your own dairy-free milks!
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Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
Dana says
Fantastic sauce, dip, drizzle, just adds lots of flavor, punching up tacos, avocado toast, beans, almost anything! Thanks.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you enjoyed this sauce. Thank you.
Ana says
OH MY GOOOOOOOOOD!!! I love this so so so much. I used rosemary instead of chives and i wanted to cry when I tried it. Its creamy, its hearty and the most delicious thing ever. I’m slowly transitioning into a vegan diet and this one is going into my meal rotation
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I can almost feel your excitement! Thanks for your lovely message. It's great that you are on a journey to eat more plants!
Neena Chandiramani says
Creamy garlic sauce! Mmm❤️
Nisha Melvani says
It's very versatile! One of my favorites.
Primla Goddard says
This creamy garlic sauce is to die for ! The cashews give it such a creamy flavor making it healthy and dairy free.
Nisha Melvani says
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.