Want to learn how to make Vegan Egg Yolk? Every now and then I have a random spark of a crazy idea. I was browsing Pinterest looking for some inspiration for a new recipe when I stumbled upon a photo of a soft boiled egg with toast being dipped into the center. I knew I wanted it immediately! Not a real egg yolk,of course, but just the idea of a savoury, rich, smooth breakfast sauce that you can dip strips of toast into. And so I made Vegan Egg Yolk. Oh yeah I did! I really, really did.

It's not unusual that I get inspired by non-vegan recipes. That's how I get most of my inspiration for this blog and end up creating fun vegan recipes such as my Quick & Easy Cottage Cheese, Vegan Tofu Taco Crumbles, Heart of Palm Calamari, Vegan Mushroom & Walnut Pate, and Crispy & Chewy Sesame Shiitake.
The key flavour in this recipe is black salt (also called kala namak). If you are new to black salt the first thing you will notice is that it isn't black at all. It's pink. But don't confuse it with Himalayan salt, which is a totally different thing. The coolest thing about black salt is that it tastes exactly like eggs. So weird! I ordered mine from Amazon.

This Vegan Egg Yolk takes just 5 minutes to make and uses just 6 ingredients. It is completely cholesterol-free (unlike the cholesterol bombs of an egg yolk) and is incredibly super-delicious with toast dipped into it.
Rich, creamy, savoury, umami, with a crack of pepper on top! Oh yeah! I am loving my breakfast today!
Common Questions:
Can you freeze Vegan Egg Yolk?
Yes, you can. Be sure to let cool and then store in your freezer in an air-tight container. As this is a sauce made with corn starch, when defrosting, it will begin to thin out so you will need to rethicken again. Let defrost then gently heat on the stove or in a microwave, adding a splash more water if needed.
Can you make vegan egg yolk ahead of time and reheat it?
Yes, you can. Store the prepared vegan egg yolk a sealed container in your fridge for up to 4 days. Gently reheat on the stove or in a microwave, adding a splash more water if needed.

To make Vegan Egg Yolk:
In a small pot, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Now stir in all of the remaining ingredients.

Put over medium-high heat and whisk while it cooks. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the dipping sauce thickens. Serve hot with strips of buttered toast and a crack of pepper.

This vegan egg yolk...
- tastes like egg!!
- 6 ingredients
- 5 minutes
- the perfect savory breakfast
What to serve this with:
Vegan Breakfast Sausage
Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes
Super Easy Vegan Croissants
Vegan Banana Nut Muffins
Banana Peel Bacon
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon Appetegan!
Sam Turnbull

(click stars to vote)
Vegan Egg Yolk
Servings: (makes about 1 cup)
PRINT
PIN
Video
COMMENT
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons light oil, (such as canola or vegetable)
- 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
- ¾ teaspoon black salt, (also called kala namak)
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
- In a small pot, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Now stir in all of the remaining ingredients. Put over medium-high heat and whisk while it cooks. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the dipping sauce thickens. Serve hot with strips of buttered toast and a crack of pepper.








judy bruett says
I found this early in my vegan journey and it is still one of my favorites. It is a comfort food. love it with my sourdough toast. can't recommend highly enough
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Judy! I love that it’s been a favorite from the beginning. So happy you enjoy it 😊
Melody Greenwood says
Oh my goodness, this DOES taste like eggs! It's so delicious, my husband and I just devoured it with toast and I was thinking of all the other things I will do with it..... 🤔
I made a double batch as I read some the other reviews so I have a bit leftover, I'm going to try keeping it in the fridge and reheating it 🤞
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Melody! I’m so happy you loved it. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days and reheats nicely 😊
Tanya says
It is uncanny how much this tastes like egg yolk even my omnivore hubby said he would happily eat it with fried tofu instead of his fried eggs. My only complaint I should have made a double batch. Thanks so much! I missed fired eggs and now I have an amazing replacement.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Tanya! That makes me so happy to hear. Next time definitely make a double batch 😊
Suzanne says
This “egg yolk “ recipe is a game changer! It’s delicious , easy to make and make me feel like I’m missing out on my favorite breakfasts. I also use the yolk to make French toast and it tastes better than I ever remember it tasting!! Just soak the bread in the yolk and cook as per usual … sooo freaking good. Thank you so much for the amazing recipe.. Love all you recipes .❤️
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Suzanne! I love that you’re using the yolk for French toast too, that sounds amazing 😋
Laura says
This is an amazing recipe! We love it with homemade sliced bread toasted and cut into soldiers, over tofu scramble and hash browns . Definitely on the rotation ! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That sounds incredible, Laura! Love all those serving ideas. So happy it’s in your rotation 😊
Theresa says
Thank you! This recipe is perfect as is. It’s comfort food that takes 7-10 minutes to cook. I’ve used this for toast and tofu scramble, as well as on asparagus. After weeks of eating this as you created it, I got creative and added a small capful of white vinegar to add a bit of a tangy flavor. I am looking forward to trying other recipes of yours .😊
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Aww I love this, Theresa!! 🥰 I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying it so much!
Stephanie Loreto says
I made this recipe and followed it to a t. It smelled just like egg yolk and tasted great on a sandwich with fried tofu and vegan cheese however on its own (and even in the sandwich) it was sooooo salty. Coming from someone who would eat salted lays chips for breakfast that is saying something. I am going to try it again and start with 1/4 teaspoon of kala namak and increase to taste. It was good so I am interested in tweaking it. I just could not handle the salty after taste.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for the detailed feedback. Kala namak can vary a LOT by brand, so starting with ¼ teaspoon and adding to taste is a great plan 🙂 Also the more you cook kala namak the less salty it tastes so you can try cooking it a little longer too. So glad you still liked the flavor!
Todd says
I came across this recipe close to a decade ago. It was a staple of weekend breakfasts in our house for years. Then home cooking tapered off.
Just getting back to doing some vegan cooking at home again, as opposed to using meal services, and this gem popped up!
The texture is perfect, the taste, well, if I didn't know it wasn't real egg, and I was served it, I'd be suspicious.
Back in to my weekend rotation it goes!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
This made me smile, Todd! I love that it’s back in your weekend rotation. Thanks for cooking along with me again!
Gwynfor says
Can't believe how good this tastes. Been vegan for nine years and this is amazingly close to the mouthfeel and taste of a boiled egg yolk! Delicious and incredibly easy to make. Thank you!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We're delighted to hear it! Thanks for sharing your review, Gwynfor!
Håkan says
Absolutely wonderful when you’re making vegan scrambled eggs.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy to hear that, Håkan! 😊
Angie says
Delicious! It tastes exactly how I remember egg yolk tasting and the consistency is spot on. The recipe makes a good amount, and when reheating the leftovers, I just add a tiny bit of water and slowly bring it to temperature. I’ve been dipping my toast in it, pouting it over hash browns, and putting it on breakfast sandwiches.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay, I’m so happy you love it! Your reheating tip is perfect, and I love all the ways you’re using it—especially over hash browns 🤤 Thanks so much for sharing!
K. says
Delicious. Versatile. Also, the next day we used the leftover sauce, added garbanzo flour to it, and made one of the best vegan omelets we've ever had. Scrumptious!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wow! Sounds delicious!
Laura says
I did not think it was possible to best the Holiday Rum Ball recipe, but, along with the Vegan Fried egg, I think you've done it. I am wild for this recipe. Thank you for your creative mind and for knowing what we all need out here! I LOVE this.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Laura! Wow, thank you so much 😍 I’m thrilled you’re loving it!
Maria says
Oh! I forgot to include this in my review: Please update your photo! This photo makes the egg look like butterscotch pudding when in reality it looks like translucent, runny egg yolk. At least mine did and I was pleasantly surprised, but I did reduce the turmeric some because mine is almost orange.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Maria! So happy you enjoyed it!
Maria says
Hi Sam! Today I made your Vegan Egg Yolk recipe (with a couple of very minor changes) and I thoroughly enjoyed it with some sourdough toast strips and pepper. Yummy. Tomorrow, I plan to have it with your Vegan Breakfast Sandwich, since I have everything I need for that. The changes I made were to keep it a little more WFPB, so I dropped the oil to 1 teaspoon instead of 1 tablespoon and it was still delicious. To those of you who are oil free, don’t be afraid to reduce the oil! In fact, I may even try it again without any oil. I also reduced the turmeric a little because mine is kind of orange. I use unfortified nutritional yeast because it tastes so much better. I hope this review helps someone, and thank you for this great recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Maria! Yay!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and I love hearing how you made it work for you 😊 Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Nicole says
Excellent recipe! Super easy and solves the dilemma of never enough yolk for dipping 😋
Next time I make it, I'm going to skip the nooch. This is the second brand I've tried (Bob's Red Mill and Wegmans) that tastes more nutty than cheesy, and BRM is much saltier. I don't need the yolk that salty, personally.
Popping the leftovers in the fridge to see how it reheats tomorrow. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Love that feedback, Nicole! Totally fine to reduce or skip the nooch if you prefer 😊
Evelyn says
Suggestion? Substitute out Turmeric for Annato, this spice has been used for too many years to count for adding the yellow color. It is used to make the oil for popcorn look yellow. As long as there is an oil Annato will turn the oil yellow, and not add any flavor like Turmeric. Its a better alternative for adding the yellow tint.
This is what is used to make vegan butters yellow, and even traditional butter, this is what gives the yellow tint.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Great tip, Evelyn! Annatto is a lovely natural way to get that yellow color without the turmeric flavor. I use turmeric because it’s easy for most people to find, the amount used is small so you can't really taste it, but annatto is a fantastic option 😊
Natasha says
Delicious and so simple to make. Enjoyed it in an English muffin breakfast sandwhich on top of tofu scramble. I had this recipe saved for years and not sure why I waited si long to try it! I made with only 1 tbs oil. Will be a staple for breakfast. Can't wait to try with home fries.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! I’m so happy you finally tried it, Natasha! 😊
Emiroxy says
is very delicious!!!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Emiroxy! So happy you loved it.
Mars Szysky says
This is the best tasting and closest to what i remember egg yolk tastes like.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks so much, Mars! So happy you loved it! 💛