How to Soak Cashews

A bowl of cashews are soaking in water. There is a bowl of raw cashews in the background and more strewn across the table.

Learn how to soak cashews to add creaminess, flavor, and a nutritional boost to your recipes. From creamy sauces and dips to dairy-free desserts and nut milks, the possibilities are endless. Embrace these soaking techniques to elevate your culinary experiences!

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 15

Resting Time 1

Total Time 17

Servings servings

Calories 119kcal

Author Marly McMillen

Ingredients

1 cup raw cahews
1 cup water
⅛ teaspoon salt

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Basic Soaking (Slow)

Place the cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Ensure there's enough water to submerge the nuts entirely, as they will expand during soaking.
Add a pinch of salt to the water.
Let the cashews soak for at least 2 to 4 hours, or ideally overnight for about 8 hours. The longer you soak (between 2 and 24 hours), the creamier the cashews will become.
After soaking, drain and rinse the cashews. If you're not using them right away, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Hot Water Soaking (Fast)

Saucepan Method: Add cashews to a saucepan. Cover with 1 inch of water. Place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for around 5 minutes, then remove from heat and cover. They should be soft within 10 minutes.
Hot Water Method: Heat the water to boiling. Add the raw cashews and salt, cover, and let it sit for around 20 minutes.

Microwave Soaking

Microwave Method: Add cashews and water to a microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 2 minutes, leave the dish in the microwave, cover, and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition