Aioli was my favorite sauce when I wasn't vegan and also after I went vegan because I learnt how to make an egg-free version using soy milk instead, but as it's so high in fat, I didn't make it very often until I discovered this wonderful vegan aioli recipe. I can't believe it's oil-free, made with natural ingredients and tastes SO GOOD.
I've always used unsalted raw cashews to make this recipe, but if you can't find them, you could try to use roasted or salted cashews instead. Please don't use fried cashews, they're not healthy at all and are usually made with refined oils. If you can't find any type of cashews, try our vegan green aioli (omit the spinach if you want).
Did you like this oil-free vegan aioli? Then check out these sauce recipes: vegan mayo, 2-minute healthy ketchup, homemade enchilada sauce, vegan Caesar salad dressing and oil-free vegan yogurt sauce.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below, rate it or tag a picture @simpleveganblog on Instagram and hashtag it #simpleveganblog. We’d love to see what you cook!
Vegan Aioli (Oil-free)
Ingredients
- 1 clove of garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- â…” cup unsalted raw cashews
Instructions
- Soak the cashews overnight.
- Drain and rinse them, then blend them with the rest of the ingredients in a regular blender until smooth.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Remove germ from garlic or use garlic powder to make the aioli easier to digest.
- Apple cider vinegar can be used instead of the lemon juice.
- Add more or less water depending on how thick you like your aioli.
- Try the aioli and add more salt or garlic if needed and blend again.
- Omit the garlic clove to make a delicious oil-free mayo.
Silvia C says
I have always done it without the cashews, just like your vegan mayo, and adding garlic. Alioli was made from "All" and "oli" catalan for garlic and oil, and it is still made this way in my home. However if you want a more spreadable mixture then the milk adds it.
If you want to try this is how we had done it for ages: oil garlic and salt.
With a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic(peeled) and add oil to make a consistent paste, add salt to taste and serve it. Beware it will be a strong alioli.
Cheers
Iosune Robles says
Hi Silvia! You're right but we prefer to make it with cashews 🙂 Thanks for your kind comment!
Kim says
Great. I did make a slight change. I eliminated the salt and added a tablespoon of sriracha sauce for a little bit of a spicy kick.😀
Iosune Robles says
Hi Kim!!! it sounds great to me!!!! Have a nice day!!
J says
Great simple recipe. If you have a vitamix or high powered blender cashews are good just soaked for and hour or so.
Iosune says
Hi J! Thanks a lot 🙂
Suzy says
Love this recipe! Everyone that I've had try it, also loves it! Very easy to use this as a base and add whatever flavours you would like to it. I've tried adding 3 tbsp of hot sauce to it and also throwing in a roasted red pepper. It just gets better and better! Tomorrow I will try making a dill version! Thanks so much! Amazing on black bean burgers or just as a dip!
Iosune says
Hi Suzy! Thanks a lot 🙂 Sounds great!