The best Spicy Cashew Dressing recipe is creamy, bold, and packed with flavors. If you love creamy textures and prefer a dairy-free option, this Trader Joe's copycat recipe is perfect for you—it's made purely with cashews.
This spicy cashew dressing recipe is creamy, nutty, and tangy, packed with flavors to satisfy all your cravings. It's homemade and better than store-bought versions.
Simply blend the soaked cashews with simple ingredients to create this flavorful and delicious dressing. It’s my go-to for a creamy, plant-based option(like this roasted veggie sauce).
You can serve it over grilled vegetables, salads, grain bowls, or as a dip for crunchy snacks.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️A rich, creamy texture that rivals cheesy dressings.
⭐️Easy, effortless, and meal-prep-friendly recipe.
⭐️Customizable spice level!
Key Ingredients
- Cashew nuts: Choose raw, unsalted ones for the best texture and flavor. You can substitute it with cashew butter(no soaking is needed).
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is always the best option. You can substitute with lemon juice.
- Apple cider vinegar: Choose organic apple cider vinegar for the best taste.
- Sriracha sauce: You can find this in international aisles or the specialty hot sauce section at grocery stores.
- Maple syrup: Feel free to adjust the sweetness to match your preference. For the best flavor, substitute raw, unfiltered honey.
- Garlic: I highly recommend using fresh garlic for a robust flavor.
- Crushed red pepper: Optional—adjust to your spice preference.
How To Make Spicy Cashew Dressing
- Place raw cashews in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water.
- Let them soak for 20 minutes to soften.
- Drain and add the soaked cashews to a blender. Add lime juice, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, maple syrup, garlic, salt, ground black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
- Blend everything until creamy. Add water a tablespoon at a time to reach your preferred consistency. And enjoy it as the dressing for the salad.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This spicy cashew dressing has a noticeable kick, mainly from the Sriracha sauce and crushed red pepper added to the recipe.
You can adjust the amount of Sriracha sauce and crushed red pepper to suit your heat tolerance.
The Leftovers
- You can repurpose the leftover spicy cashew dressing as a dip, a spread for sandwiches, or even as the pasta sauce.
- Store this in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for about three months.
- To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight, or quickly defrost it in the microwave on a low heat setting.
- This dressing does not need reheating. Just bring it to room temperature and enjoy! If it thickens, add a splash of lime juice and whisk well to restore its creamy texture.
FAQ
Yes, soaking the cashews in hot water for about 20 minutes softens them, helping achieve a smooth texture when blended. If the cashews are not appropriately soaked, the dressing may have a grainy texture instead of a creamy one.
Absolutely. If you are substituting the cashew nuts with the cashew butter, there is no need to soak them; you can blend them straight away with the other ingredients.
You can drizzle it over salads(like this Cajun shrimp salad), use it as a sauce for grain bowls, pair it with spicy roasted vegetables, or spread it on sandwiches and wraps.
Absolutely! This dressing is a great make-ahead option. For the best results, prepare it at least two days before and store it in an airtight container.
More Dressing Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Spicy Cashew Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup cashews raw
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup water (adjust for consistency)
Instructions
- Place the raw cashews in a heatproof bowl and pour boiling water over them.
- Let them soak for 20 minutes.
- Add the cashew nuts along with the water to the blender jar.
- Add lime juice, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, maple syrup, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level easily by modifying the amount of Sriracha sauce and crushed red pepper.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, refrigerate overnight or use a low heat setting in the microwave.
- If the dressing thickens, add a lime juice or water splash and whisk well before serving.
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