• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Daniel's Plate
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes

×
Home » Recipe Index » Sauces

Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce (VEGAN)

Modified: May 6, 2025 · Published: Jun 24, 2021 by Gigi & Sersie · This post may contain affiliate links.

Share it!

Jump to Recipe

This Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce is a game-changer! Made with simple whole-food, plant-based ingredients, this sauce delivers a smoky, spicy kick that will elevate your meals—without any dairy, oil, or processed ingredients. It's vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and hands-down delicious!

side view close up of spicy chipotle cream sauce in a clear glass container with spoon dipping some out
This buddha bowl sauce is the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory (umami)

Whether you're drizzling it over salads or grain bowls, using it as a dip for roasted veggies, or stirring it into your favorite plant-based taco filling, this sauce is guaranteed to become a staple in your kitchen.

Why You'll Love This Sauce

  1. Whole-Food & Plant-Based: 100% Daniel Fast-compliant with zero dairy, oil, or processed additives.
  2. Smoky & Spicy: The chipotle peppers bring a deep, smoky heat, making every bite exciting.
  3. Creamy & Versatile: Perfect as a dip, dressing, or sauce to transform your everyday meals.

Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce Ingredients

  1. Raw cashews
  2. Lemon juice
  3. Apple cider vinegar
  4. Miso paste
  5. Pitted date (or Simple Homemade Date Syrup)
  6. Chipotle powder
Ingredients for spicy chipotle cream sauce: cashews, date, miso, chipotle powder, lemon juice, and vinegar.
key ingredients for spicy chipotle cream sauce: cashews, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, date, miso paste and chipotle powder

How to Prepare this buddha bowl sauce

I use my Nutribullet blender when I make this because it's so much easier to clean up. Also, the amount of sauce yielded in this recipe is not a huge batch, but just enough for a couple of meals.

Put raw cashews and *pitted date into a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to soften.

While cashews and date are simmering, grab your mini blender and add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, miso paste, ¼ cup water, and chipotle powder to a mini blender. *Note: If you're using Simple Homemade Date Syrup, add it directly to the mini blender.

Turn off the heat, carefully remove the date from the small pot, and add it to the mini blender with the other ingredients. Then, drain and rinse the cashews under cold water. Cashews should be soft and at room temperature or cool. Reducing the heat helps keep the mini blender from building up pressure.

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy, about 45 to 60 seconds. If necessary, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin out the consistency and blend for another 15 seconds.

This buddha bowl sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended. 

cashews and pitted date in a small pot with water being added
Soften the cashews and date by simmering them in a small pot with water.
date that has been cooked being held up with tongs and small pot with cashews blurred in the background
Carefully pick out the date that's been simmered, then drain and rinse cooked cashews in cool water to reduce the temperature.
Spicy chipotle cream sauce being blended in a mini blender.
Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

How to Use Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce

This sauce is a must-have in your meal-prep routine because it's incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:

  • Salad Dressing: Thin it out with a little water or lime juice for a smoky, spicy dressing.
  • Taco Sauce: Drizzle it over black bean tacos, breakfast burritos, or enchiladas for an extra flavor boost.
  • Bowl Enhancer: Use it as a sauce for grain bowls with quinoa, black beans, and roasted veggies. Check out our black bean bowl.
  • Dipping Sauce: Perfect for air fryer tofu nuggets, oven-baked sweet potato fries, air-fried veggies, or air fryer smashed potatoes.
  • Pasta Sauce: Toss it with whole-wheat pasta or zucchini noodles for a creamy, smoky twist.

Make It Your Own!

One of the best things about this sauce is that it's customizable! If you love extra heat, add more chipotle powder. Prefer a tangier touch? Squeeze in more lemon or lime juice. You can even blend in fresh herbs like cilantro for a unique twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does cashew cream sauce taste like?

Cashews have a mild nutty flavor. Because cashew cream sauce has acid from the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, it mimics the taste of sour cream with a slight sweetness. This spicy cream sauce also has heat and a smoky flavor on top of it, further counterbalanced by the sweetness of the dates.

How do I store leftovers of cashew cream?

You can store leftover cashew cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing cashew cream is not recommended.

Is this sauce Daniel Fast-compliant?

Yes! This sauce is made with whole-food, plant-based ingredients that align with the Daniel Fast guidelines—no dairy, no oil, and no processed additives. Just wholesome, nourishing flavors!

How spicy is this sauce?

The spice level depends on how much chipotle powder you use. If you’re sensitive to heat, start with half the amount and add more as needed.

Can I make this sauce without nuts?

Absolutely! If you need a nut-free version, swap the cashews for:
Sunflower seeds (soaked for 2-4 hours)
Silken tofu (for a lower-fat, creamy alternative)
White beans (for a protein-packed, creamy base)

How long does this sauce last?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If it thickens, just stir in a little water or plant-based milk to loosen it up.

What if I don’t have chipotle powder?

If you can’t find chipotle powder, you can substitute with:
• Smoked paprika + a dash of cayenne pepper
• Roasted red bell peppers + a little hot sauce for a milder option

Can I use this as a salad dressing?

Yes! Just thin it out with a little water or fresh lime juice to reach a pourable consistency. It adds a smoky, creamy kick to any salad.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes! This is a great meal-prep-friendly sauce. Make a batch at the start of the week and enjoy it in different ways throughout the week.

How can I make it tangier?

For more tang, add: More lemon or lime juice, apple cider vinegar, or a bit of Dijon mustard.

Spicy chipotle cream sauce in a small pitcher with loose cashews in the background.

This Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce is proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland or boring! It’s the perfect way to add bold flavor to your Daniel Fast meals while nourishing your body with whole, plant-based ingredients.
Try it out and let us know how you use it! What’s your favorite way to enjoy this creamy, smoky sauce? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

top view close up of chipotle buddha bowl sauce in a clear glass container with loose cashews on the side

Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce

5 from 1 vote
Course: Sauces
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 53kcal
Author: Gigi & Sersie
Print Pin Rate
This Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce is a game-changer! Made with simple whole-food, plant-based ingredients, this sauce delivers a smoky, spicy kick that will elevate your meals—without any dairy, oil, or processed ingredients. It's vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and hands-down delicious!

Equipment

  • 1 mini bullet blender

Ingredients  

  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • 1 date pitted (or 1 Tbsp Simple Homemade Date Syrup)
  • 2 cups water to boil cashews and pitted date
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp miso paste
  • ¼ cup water or more for a thinner consistency
  • ¾ tsp chipotle powder
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • I use my bullet blender when I make this because it's so much easier to clean up. Also, the amount of sauce yielded in this recipe is not a huge batch, but just enough for a couple of meals.
  • Put raw cashews and *pitted date into a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to soften.
  • While cashews and date are simmering, grab your mini blender and add lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, miso paste, ¼ cup water, and chipotle powder to a mini blender. *Note: If you're using Simple Homemade Date Syrup, add it directly to the mini blender.
  • Turn off the heat, carefully remove the date from the small pot, and add it to the mini blender with the other ingredients. Then, drain and rinse the cashews under cold water. Cashews should be soft and at room temperature or cool. Reducing the heat helps keep the mini blender from building up pressure.
  • Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy, about 45 to 60 seconds. If necessary, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin out the consistency and blend for another 15 seconds.

Notes

Leftovers/Meal Prep: This sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended. 

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 112IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Reset, Reconnect, and Realign

Packed with daily devotionals, nutritional tips, journal prompts, and inspirational quotes, A Prayer for Your Health Journal will help you create a God-centered vision for your health. This journal provides practical tools and spiritual guidance to bring physical, mental, and spiritual health back into your life. It will inspire you to reset your body and energize your walk with God.

A Prayer for Your Health Book cover on the left and young black woman smiling with prayer hands on the right
Buy Today!

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

We'll also send you other yummy recipes. No worries! You can unsubscribe at any time. 💙

FREE #PFYH 4-Day Challenge

A Prayer for Your Health 4-Day Daniel Fast challenge will nudge you in the direction of taking those first steps from the rut of an unhealthy lifestyle to taking control of your health.

What you’ll get:

  • Access to a private FB community
  • Know-how & info with an instructional guide
  • Inspiration through daily scripture
  • Motivation with journal prompts
  • Actionable steps with sample meal plan & recipes
  • Encouraging daily emails to help strengthen you along the way
  • Success strategy from additional resources and information

The four days will focus on:

Creating a God-centered self-image (Day 1)

Breaking our addiction to food (Day 2)

Breaking generational cycles of poor health (Day 3)

The courage to take action (Day 4)

Sign Up!

As an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

Two women standing in the kitchen smiling.
Gigi & Sersie

Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue have over 25 years of combined experience in plant-based nutrition and health coaching. Their passion for healthy eating inspired them to create Daniel’s Plate, a recipe site focused on whole food, plant-based meals.

More Sauces

  • Lemon vinaigrette dressing in a small pitcher with a napkin and lemon blurred in the background.
    Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
  • Vegan blue cheese dressing in a mason jar with a spoon lifting some out.
    Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Vegan honey mustard in a mason jar with spoon dipping some out.
    Vegan Honey Mustard
  • Creamy oil free Greek dressing in a mason jar with a spoon dipped in.
    Oil Free Greek Dressing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan

    January 28, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    Made this to go on a rice and bean bowl. So yummy!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Two women standing in the kitchen smiling.

Hi, we're Sersie and Gigi!

Every decision we make about the delicious recipes here on Daniel's Plate is based on health first. We focus on whole plant foods that help restore health and prevent chronic illnesses so you can live out your purpose with excellence.

More about us

Healthy Summer Recipes

  • Italian gazpacho in a bowl topped with fresh basil and a spoon on the side.
    Italian Gazpacho
  • Mediterranean quinoa salad in bowl with fork on the side.
    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
  • Black eyed peas corn salad in a large bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
    Black Eyed Peas Corn Salad
  • Cucumber Gazpacho
  • Avocado and tomato salad in a bowl with sliced red onion and lemon vinaigrette.
    Avocado & Tomato Salad
  • top view close up of vegan pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, fresh chopped parsley in white bowl
    Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad

Favorite Iced Drinks

  • Banana milk matcha latte in a tall glass with ice and a metal straw.
    Banana Milk Matcha Latte
  • Spicy margarita mocktail with sliced jalapeno floating on top.
    Spicy Margarita Mocktail
  • Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte in a tall glass with metal straw.
    Strawberry Matcha Latte
  • Frosty mojito mocktail with fresh mint leaves and sliced lime.
    Healthy Mojito Mocktail

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2025 Daniel's Plate. All rights reserved.  |  Learn more about The Daniel Fast   |   Privacy Policy  |   Accessibility

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.