This Maple Mustard Sauce is versatile, dairy free, and requires only 8 simple ingredients, including water! It's the perfect dipping sauce for so many things, including these Gluten Free Chicken Tenders.
Who else thinks dipping sauces should be their own food group? I really yummy dipping sauce is such a great way to elevate simple recipes, like chicken tenders, soft pretzels, and so much more.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Dairy Free! This maple mustard dipping sauce contains no dairy, making it the perfect sauce for those who cannot or do not eat dairy products.
- Versatile. This recipe is the perfect sauce for dipping anything you love, like these Gluten Free Chicken Tenders, which is one of the most popular recipes on the blog!
- Meal Prep and Freezer Friendly. This maple mustard recipe is so easy to make, and it is the perfect recipe when you're meal prepping on the weekend. Plus, it freezes and thaws SO easily, that you can make it ahead of time, and then freeze half!
Tools You'll Need
- Liquid measuring cups
- Dry measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Blender
Ingredients
This recipe begins simply with hot water and raw cashews. The raw cashews provide an added health benefit too, as they are a source of fiber and plant-based protein.
The remaining ingredients are simple. All you need is real maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground mustard seed, coarse Kosher salt, and paprika.
Substitutions
- Water substitution: If you would like, vegetable broth may be used instead of water in this recipe.
- Ground mustard seed substitution: If you do not have ground mustard seed, you may use a small amount of dijon mustard in this sauce.
- Paprika substitution: For a slightly smokey flavor, you may use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
How to Make Maple Mustard Sauce
- Begin by heating water and then pour the water over the cashews and let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Once the cashews have soaked add them to a blender before adding the remaining ingredients.
- Add the maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and spices to the blender.
- Blend the mixture on high for about 5 minutes, scrape down the side of the blender. Turn the blender back on high, and blend for another 5-8 minutes, or until the mixture is VERY smooth.
Prep Ahead Options
- The water and cashew mixture can be soaked for up to two days before mixing with the remaining ingredients in the blender.
- This recipe is the PERFECT make-ahead recipe. This maple mustard recipe can be made up to five days in advance!
- If you want to make this to keep on hand in the freezer, feel free! This dipping sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to two months.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to enjoy this dipping sauce is with my favorite Gluten Free Chicken Tenders, but it also makes a great maple mustard dipping sauce for pretzels or even serve it along side your favorite french fries!
FAQs
The reason I LOVE to use cashews in cream sauces is that they offer a boost of nutrition, and also produce a super creamy sauce without much "nut" flavor. This recipe has not been tested with a different kind of nut, but I would recommend only using cashews in this maple mustard dipping sauce.
Yes! You actually can use dijon mustard for this sauce. If you decide to use regular mustard, I recommend that you leave out the soy sauce and apple cider vinegar. Use about one tablespoon of dijon mustard instead.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- My biggest piece of advice when making this maple mustard sauce is to make sure you blend it up well! Every blender is a bit different, and some may be more powerful than others. When you blend it up, if you think it's done, blend it for 2-3 more minutes. This won't hurt the dip, but it could help make it just that much creamier!
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Maple Mustard Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
- ½ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Pour the water over the cashews, and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Once the cashews have soaked, pour the mixture along with the maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground mustard seed, salt, and paprika into a blender.
- Blend on high for 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, and then blend on high for another 5-8 minutes, or until the mixture is VERY smooth.
- Once the mixture is smooth, place in a bowl or container.
Cynthia Robinson
Any raw cashew recipes I have read NEVER add the water the cashews were soaked in. You drain, & rinse, then add fresh if needed...???
Erica Hopper
Hi Cynthia! Thanks for your comment. You need some liquid in the recipe for it to puree properly. I have always used the same water, but if you are more comfortable using fresh water, then by all means, go ahead! There is nothing unsafe about using the water that the cashews soak in, so I figure it saves a step.