Oil-free Vegan Mayonnaise Two Ways
It’s funny, when I was a kid I hated mayonnaise. The only place I didn’t mind it was the tuna salad my mom made (see Happy Tuna recipe). Ever since I went plant-based and vegan decades ago, I have experienced the evolution of store-bought vegan mayo and actually enjoy the flavor on sandwiches and in dishes like Happy Tuna and Cole Slaw (see BBQ Jackfruit Sammie recipe). Vegenaise is my favorite but it is LOADED with oil so I avoid it. Plus it’s expensive!!
You don’t have to use the aquafaba (chickpea water) but I highly recommend it because it provides that conventional mayo texture and feel. But if you don’t have any, any unsweetened plant milk will do.
So until they come out with a store-bought oil-free version, this recipe really does the job on sandwiches, in cole slaw and potato salad, tartar sauce and thousand island dressing. I prefer the flavors of the first recipe – but the second one definitely works and you can use it as a base to create your own.
*note: I highly recommend saving your chickpea water (aquafaba) as it makes your mayo nice and fluffy! You can even freeze it for later use.
Ingredients
Version one:
1 block firm silken tofu (shelf stable like MoriNu)
1/2 cup raw cashews
2 T (plus more to taste if needed) rice vinegar
1/2 cup aquafaba (chickpea water) or unsweetened plant milk
1 T agave, maple or Monk fruit sweetener granules (or to taste)
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp kala namak (eggy black salt)
1/2 tsp onion granules
1/2 tsp garlic granules
1/4 tsp sea salt
Reserved Aquafaba (chickpea water) as needed to thin and cream up, OR unsweetened plant milk like oat, soy or almond.
IMPORTANT: Adjust seasonings to taste. I have made this a gazillion times and each time I find myself modifying it slightly – sometimes I want it more tangy and will add more vinegar and mustard, sometimes I want it more sweet and add more sweetener.
Version two (the easy version):
1 12.3 ounce package Mori-Nu Silken Firm Tofu
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dijon mustard (may use yellow)
1/2 teaspoon sweetener (maple syrup, agave nectar, monk fruit)
Instructions
Blend everything until smooth (like a Nutribullet or Magic Bullet, blender or food processor). Store in glass jar in the fridge. Will keep for about a week.
