Cashew Cream

This cashew cream recipe is a smooth and creamy blend of only a few ingredients, featuring cashews. Use this simple vegan sauce as a dairy-free substitute for things like sour cream with your favorite vegan recipes.

A white bowl holds cashew cream. There's a blue towel behind it and some cashews in front of it.

You might worry that going vegan will mean the end of all things delicious. I wondered about that too in my early vegan days. Thankfully, this vegan cashew cream sauce is one of those magical things that make you realize it’s all going to be ok. It’s so easy to make, you’ll want to add it to all your favorite meat-free dishes, like soups, pasta, salad dressings, and more.

Ingredients for Cashew Cream

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Raw Cashews — The key ingredient here in our raw cashew cream is, of course, cashews. I can find these in health food stores (they’re sold in bulk at Sprouts and Natural Grocers). I find raw cashews deliver the best, creamy sauces. Store cashews in the fridge to help them stay fresh longer.
  • Lemon juice — A little bit of lemon juice is added to create a tanginess and texture to the finished product. This will become more prominent as it sits in the fridge for a while.

How to Make Cashew Cream

  1. Soak cashews for at least an hour or up to overnight. Here’s more about soaking cashews.
  2. Blend soaked cashews and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender jar.
  3. Add lemon juice and salt and then blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Transfer to a lidded jar and refrigerate. It will thicken as it chills.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making a vegan cream sauce may seem difficult, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. In fact, there are only a few steps to take. The first one may seem like it takes a long time, but don’t worry, I’ll share some time-saving tips to help out if you’re in a pinch.

Step One: Soak Cashews

You’ll want to soak your cashews for at least an hour and up to overnight. I find when the cashews are more thoroughly soaked, it creates a creamier sauce. Simply cover the cashews with water, place that container in the fridge, and let it sit overnight.

Quick Fix Tip

If you’re in a jam and need to make a batch of homemade cashew cream on the spot, place the raw cashews in a saucepan and cover with water over medium heat. Bring it to a simmer and cook for about 5–10 minutes, until cashews are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a minute or two, then drain the water and proceed with the next steps.

Cashews are soaking in water in a glass pyrex measuring cup.

Step Two: Blend Cashews

Place soaked cashews and water in a food processor. Pulse this for several seconds until the cashews are roughly broken into smaller bits.

You’ll want a rubber spatula handy here because cashew bits will escape up the side of the blender jar. Simply use a rubber spatula to push them back down and pulse again.

Cashews are in the bottom of a blender jar, waiting to be processed.

Step Three: Add Other Ingredients

Next, add the lemon juice and salt (if using) and pulse again. As mentioned above, use a rubber spatula to move ingredients splattered on the blender jar down and continue pulsing until you get a nice, creamy texture.

This can take several minutes so be patient. Think of it this way, you’re using the blender to combine water, air, and cashews to make it thick and creamy. There’s a scientific formula for why it works.

If the mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon of water.

If the mixture seems too thin, I’d suggest giving it some time. Once this cream settles in the fridge, it thickens.

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Using cashews creates a neutral flavor that makes this sauce perfect for so many dishes.
  • Lemon juice does more than brighten the sauce, it adds a fermented flavor too, very similar to what you get from sour cream.
  • Soaking the cashews makes them soft and plump, perfect for blending into a creamy sauce.

Frequently-Asked Questions

What is cashew cream?

Cashew cream is an easy recipe made up of mostly soaked cashews, water, and lemon juice. Together they create a creamy sauce that can be used in place of sour cream or other creams.

Can I use any blender?

I find using a high-speed blender is best, however, you can make any blender or even food processor work. Just make sure the cashews are thoroughly soaked and then keep at the pulse and scrape process. It may not get quite as smooth, but it will still taste great!

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
This was so easy to make and creamy too.

Lizzie
Several soft tacos have cashew cream on top.

More Cashew Cream Recipes

What to do with all that delicious cream? These tasty recipes with cream on top are even better:

A white bowl holds cashew cream. There's a blue towel behind it and some cashews in front of it.

Cashew Cream

This indulgent cashew cream sauce is a delicious nut-based recipe you can use in place of cream in your favorite dishes.
5 from 4 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 90kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 1 hour to overnight in water)
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Drain soaked cashews. Add cashews and water to a high-speed blender or food processor. Pulse until the cashews are broken down into bits.
  • Add the lemon juice and salt. Pulse for several seconds, then use a spatula to push down any ingredients on the side of the bowl. Repeat that process several times until the mixture becomes creamy. Pulse the cashew cream for up to a minute or more to remove lumps.
  • Transfer the cream to a lidded jar (like a mason jar) and store it in the fridge. Add this cream to your favorite recipes, like potato soup, etc.

Recommended Equipment

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Notes

Note: You can also use a food processor, but the results may not be as creamy.
To soak cashews, cover them with water and refrigerate for one hour up to overnight. The longer soak time will result in a creamier sauce. Also, if you don’t have a high-speed blender, the longer soak time will help with a smoother sauce. See post for tips on how to soak cashews more quickly.
Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

This post was originally published in 2020 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.

4 Responses to Cashew Cream

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyKelli Reply

    Is it okay to use the water the cashews were simmered or store in in the fridge for the water the recipe calls for? Any advantage or disadvantage?

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Kelli. This is a great question! I typically drain the water after soaking cashews and do not use it in my recipes in case there is any residue washed off from the cashews. To be safe, I recommend disposing the soaking water. There aren’t any advantages that I’m aware of for using the soaking water.

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLizzie Reply

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make and creamy too.

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMina Reply

    5 stars
    Love this! Perfect because we have a lot of cashews here in our area. Can’t wait to try this cashew cream on our nachos! Thanks, Marly!

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