Cashew Sauce | Base Recipe | Vegan
Easy Cashew Sauce | Cashew sauce is a luscious and creamy base recipe for other delicious plant-based sauces like Burger Sauce, Pasta Sauce, and many other dips and spreads. The base recipe is just soaked cashews whipped with water which you can flavor in so many different sweet or savory ways.
Cashew sauce is one of those basic recipes that just feels like a must-have. It’s creamy, delicious, super versatile, easy to make, and is a great dairy-free substitute for the base of so many sauce and dip recipes from garlicky, to cheesy, to spicy, to sweet.
You can do so many things once you make this base recipe. I don’t add anything to this recipe except the cashews and water. You could substitute plant milk for water if you want to.
This is a great recipe for beginners because all you need to do is soak the cashews and then blend them. A high-powered blender is best.
When using this base to make a sauce, you’ll want to make sure to season it with salt and adjust the consistency by using more liquid if needed.
Try my Vegan Burger Sauce which starts with this recipe.
Ingredients
This is a brief overview of the ingredients used in this recipe followed by substitution ideas. Read the recipe card for measurements.
Substitutions + Variations
Whipped cashews are the perfect versatile and velvety smooth base for your favorite plant-based sauces and spreads. Try these variations below to make your own sauces.
Instructions
Prep Tips
Once your cashews are soaked you’ll only need water to whip them into a silky smooth sauce. This sauce is a base recipe for you to add any flavors you can dream up.
- Add the soaked and drained cashews to the blender cup.
- Pour in the water.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until silky. Add water a tablespoon at a time, as needed.
- Check the sauce and blend further if needed.
How to use Cashew Sauce
My favorite way to use this easy homemade sauce is in a vegan burger sauce on my chickpea burgers. The sauce is reminiscent of a Big Mac or In ‘n’ Out style burger sauce – but plant-based!
Tips for Making A Creamy cashew sauce
What to serve with creamy cashew sauce
Use the cashew sauce recipe as the base for Pasta sauces like an alfredo copycat or faux cheesy sauce made with nutritional yeast.
You can also use this sauce as the base for a dressing for Grain Bowls or to drizzle on top of roasted vegetables.
Try using cashew cream as the start for sauces like Cilantro Crema, Burger Sauce, or garlicky herb sauces to top your favorite burgers, tacos, sandwiches and wraps.
Storage
Store cashew sauce in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week.
FAQ
Roasted cashews will alter the flavor of this cashew sauce base recipe and will be good for savory sauces like garlic pasta sauce. Use raw cashews for a more versatile blank slate.
Yes you can freeze cashew sauce for 4-6 months.
Yes you can add flavored cashew sauce to pasta for a sauce or use it in casseroles.
Yes you can thin cashew sauce with water or plant milk and add in other various ingredients to make a dressing. You can add tahini, mustard, vinegar, fresh herbs, spices, cheese or cheese replacement products.
Cashew Sauce | Base Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews - soaked
- 1/4 cup water - or plant milk
Instructions
- Soak the cashews using your favorite method. This can take anywhere from 20 minutes (boiling) to 8 hours overnight. I prefer overnight.
- Add the cashews and the water to a blender cup.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add more water as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Once the sauce is smooth, it's ready to use in your recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
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