Easy Vegan Cooking Tips: Making Seasonal Sauces, Spreads and Dips!

A meal can be amazing yet still feel like it’s missing something if it isn’t paired with the perfect condiment. Sauces, spreads, dips, and more can elevate a recipe and make it even better by adding extra flavor and texture to complement the dish. It can be hard to know exactly which condiment will go best with a meal, but that’s where easy vegan cooking tips come in!

Below are some amazing recipes that will show you exactly how to get saucy next time you cook dinner and impress everyone with stunning spreads. All of these recipes can be found on our Food Monster App, and we promise that once you make them, you’ll never look back!

1. Spice Up Your Sauce!

Source: Whiskey Hot Sauce [Vegan]

A surefire way to make your sauce stand out is by making it spicy! Hot sauce, barbecue sauce, you name it – these additions can step up your meal. This Whiskey Hot Sauce from Erika Ghanny is sure to be a favorite, and you’re always going to want it on hand when you’re making a sandwich – just like Annie Oliverio‘s Super Smoky Barbecue Sauce. If you like the combination of spicy and sweet, you should try Gabriela Lupu‘s Red Chili Jam, which will also add a different sort of texture to your dish! And speaking of chili, we love this Tangy Chili Sauce from Iva Mrdjanov. These are sure to take any bland food from bland to spectacular!

2. Sweeten it Up with Fruit!

Source: Strawberry and Raspberry Jam [Vegan, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, Nut-Free, Paleo]

Fruit is a shining star in sweet and saucy spreads like this Strawberry and Raspberry Jam from Sabrina Estafo that will make your morning toast even better (or experiment with using jam in non-breakfast foods), but did you know that it can belong in typically savory sauces as well? If you don’t believe us, try out this Peach Habanero Hot Sauce from Natasha Condie or Yana Chistyakova‘s Guava Barbecue Sauce. The combination of flavors is a step up from one simple flavor in a dish, and once you branch out you’ll never believe how you lived without these! If you’re looking for more of a dip consistency, this Fig and Cashew Dip from Ashley Smyczek is for you – you’ll be surprised at how many things you can pair this dip with!

3. Creamy and Dreamy!

Source: Green Chili Cashew Queso [Vegan, Grain-Free]

Who says you need dairy to have a creamy, cheesy sauce or dip? You’ll forget about the quesos you’ve ever had before once you dig into this Green Chili Cashew Queso from Wicked Healthy. This is an amazing way to take your nacho night or Taco Tuesday to the next level – or just dip anything in it and eat it on its own. For a white sauce base to pasta, pizzas, and more, Rene Barker‘s Simple Bechamel Sauce is a lifesaver.  Build up other flavors with it, and say goodbye to basic pasta. Gin Butters can show you how to make a Life Changing Cheese Sauce as a go-to savior in any dish that needs some plant-based cheese for a pop of flavor and creamy cheesy goodness: sandwiches, mac and cheese, veggie burgers, and more.

4. Branch Out with Vegetables!

Source: Nutty Roasted Broccoli Pesto [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Using vegetables in the base of your dips, sauces, or spreads can not only add some extra nutrition but can also add flavor, color, and texture in amazing ways! This Nutty Roasted Broccoli Pesto from Jodi Kay shows that through the rich nuttiness of roasted broccoli, it’ll be delicious on sandwiches, pizza, pasta, or anything else. A holiday staple, mushrooms are the base of this Easy Mushroom Gravy from Nava Atlas that will make sure your Thanksgiving isn’t missing anything. Spinach dips are the star of any party (or just great for a snack), and you can try out this Five-Minute Roasted Red Pepper Spinach Dip from Florian Nouh or Kristen Genton‘s Easy Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip. For a vegetable spread that you’ll want on everything, go with this Roasted Balsamic Carrot Hummus from Liz Martone.

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• Easy Vegan Cooking Tips: How to Make Delightful Doughnuts!
• Easy Vegan Cooking Tips: All About Apples!

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