Add a burst of flavor to your dishes with this homemade Vegetable Sweet Sauce, a rich and velvety blend that beautifully balances savory and sweet. Made with caramelized carrots, red bell pepper, and ripe tomato, this sauce gets its luscious sweetness from honey—or maple syrup for a vegan twist—perfectly layered with the umami of soy sauce and a hint of tangy apple cider vinegar. Simmered in vegetable broth and puréed to creamy perfection, this versatile sauce works wonders as a topping for roasted vegetables, pasta, or grain bowls. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a wholesome, gluten-free, and customizable condiment that elevates any meal with its naturally vibrant flavors.
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions and garlic to the saucepan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and aromatic.
Add the carrots, red bell pepper, and chopped tomato to the pan, stirring well.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the carrots are very tender.
Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Transfer the cooked vegetables and their liquid to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. You can also use an immersion blender directly in the pan.
Return the blended mixture to the saucepan over low heat.
Stir in the honey (or maple syrup), soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes while stirring to combine the flavors.
Serve warm as a sauce or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving if desired.
Calories |
763 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.8 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.8 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2957 mg | 129% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 113.7 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 71.5 g | ||
| Protein | 12.8 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 231 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 2731 mg | 58% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.