How to Soak Cashews | 3 Easy Methods

Soaking cashews is a great way to make them creamier which makes them the perfect base for many vegan and plant-based sauce and dip recipes. I’ll show you how to soak cashews using 3 easy methods.

Some examples of recipes that start with soaked cashews are vegan cheese replacements like a cheese sauce for mac and cheese, vegan dip, and dressings like ranch or chipotle lime sauce.

What kind of cashews do you soak?

Raw vs roasted cashews

I buy raw unsalted bags of cashews at my local grocery store. Buying the bigger bags is more of an initial investment, but it actually works out to be cheaper in the long run. Most grocery items run on the same principle, which can help some pricier items like cashews fit into your budget easier.

The more quantity you purchase, the lower your cost per unit most of the time. Think Costco.  

Soaking raw cashews as opposed to roasted cashews will give you the best neutral blank canvas for your recipes. Roasted cashews bring a stronger, roasted flavor which can be great in some sauces like a vegan alfredo which is a savory sauce, but not in others like a vegan Ranch dressing which is fresh and herby.

Why soak cashews?

Soaking cashews is an important first step in making plant-based sauce recipes and vegan sauce recipes.

Benefits of soaking cashews:

• Soaked cashews become softer, making it easier to blend them into a really creamy consistency. This makes them the perfect ingredient for creamy vegan sauces!
• Soaked cashews are easier to digest. Soaking the cashews breaks down the enzymes and other compounds that can make them difficult to digest.
• Soaking cashews can make them less bitter, with a milder taste and creamy texture.

Methods for Soaking Cashews

There are 3 methods for soaking cashews, 2 are quick soak methods and one is an overnight method.

1. Boiling Method
2. Hot water soak
3. Overnight soak

How to Quick Soak Cashews

You can quick soak cashew two different ways. Both take less than half an hour with the same results.

How to Boil Cashews

Boiling cashews is the quickest way to make them ready to blend.

1. Add the cashews to a small pot and add enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil
2. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Drain and use in your recipe.

How to Quick Soak Cashews

This method, using hot water, takes a bit longer than boiling but is still much quicker than leaving the cashews to soak overnight.

1. Add the cashew to a large bowl. 
2. Bring water to a bowl either in a kettle or on the stove top.
3. Cover the cashews with the boiling water and let sit for 30-60 minutes.
4. Drain and use in your recipe.

The cashews are again soft enough to break with your fingers. Use them right away by blending them into a sauce or dry them and refrigerate them for up to 3 days.

How to Soak Cashews Overnight

This method yields the softest, plumpest cashews and takes the most time.

1. Add the cashews to a large bowl.
2. Cover the cashews with water.
3. Let the cashews sit overnight or for 6-8 hours. 

This methods yields the softest cashews and is also the easiest, it just takes time.

Note: If you’re soaking the cashews longer than 8 hours, you should rinse the cashews and change the water at 8-10 hours to prevent the cashews from getting slimy.

FAQ

Tips for Soaking Cashews

Recipes that use Soaked Cashews

I love using these cashews to make an easy spread for quick bread by adding just a bit of maple syrup and vanilla bean paste. Blended cashews are also a great start to recipes like Vegan Burger Sauce, Vegan Caesar dressing, and Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing.

Storage

Store in the fridge and use within a few days.

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