Learn how to soak cashews with 3 easy methods! Soak them overnight or in just 15 minutes. Creates perfect cashews for cream, dips, sauces, cheese, and more!
Raw cashews are a dairy free and vegan staple! After being soaked, they can be blended with water to create everything from creamy pasta sauces, incredible sour cream, vegan cheese, cashew milk, and more!
Anytime you need a substitute for dairy in a recipe, cashews can step in and create an incredible creamy texture.
If you've ever had a recipe that called for soaked cashew, here is the definitive guide on how to soak them properly... in as little as 15 minutes!
Three easy methods to soaking cashews:
- Overnight soak - the traditional method. Takes the longest.
- Hot water soak - uses hot water to cut down on soak time.
- Boiling - boil the cashews and you're ready to go in 15 minutes!
Pictured: Vegan French Onion Dip made with soaked cashews.
When are the cashews fully soaked?
Before we dive into the methods, it's helpful to know when the cashews are finished soaking. Each method provides a range of time that the cashews will be finished in, but the easiest way is to taste one. The cashew should be plump and soft all the way through. If the center is still crunchy, keep soaking.
How to soak cashews overnight:
The traditional method for soaking cashews is an overnight soak.
Start by placing your cashews in a large bowl. The more cashews you need for a recipe, the larger your bowl should be. Pour plenty of filtered water over the cashews. The cashews will absorb some of the water as they soak, so more is better. I like 2-3 cups of water for every cup of cashews.
Cover and place in the fridge to soak for 6-8 hours.
Benefits:
- The most consistant results.
- Easiest! Place them in the fridge and forget about it overnight.
Drawbacks:
- Takes the longest.
How to quick soak cashews:
If you are short on time, try a hot water soak.
Place your cashews in a large bowl and bring water to a boil in a pot or tea kettle. If your faucet gets hot enough, you can also use tap water.
Cover the cashews with plenty of hot water. Let soak for 30-40 minutes.
To speed up things even faster, place a plate over the top of the bowl to trap in the heat.
Benefits:
- A quicker method.
- Fairly hands off
Drawbacks:
- Cashews may not soak as evenly.
The quickest way to soak cashews:
Boiling the cashews is hands down the quickest method soaking method.
Place the cashews in a medium-sized pot. Cover with water and bring it to a boil. Once it is at a rolling boil, turn off the heat, cover and let the cashews soak for 15 minutes.
Benefits:
- Fastest method!
- Great for when you forget to soak cashews and you need them now.
Drawbacks:
- Cashews may not soak as evenly.
Pictured: Cinnamon Raisin Cupcakes with Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting
Benefits of Soaking Cashews?
Soaking cashews creates an incredible creamy texture for recipes, but it also boosts nutrition! Soaking nuts (of any kind) helps remove phytic acid, allowing our bodies to get more nutrients from the nuts, and makes them easier to digest.
Win, win!
Can you soak roasted cashews?
You can soak roasted cashews, but know that their roasted flavor will carry over into the next recipe. For the most neutral flavor, choose raw cashews.
Can you soak cashews too long?
Yes, if you soak them in the same water for too long, which is usually several days, they can go rancid. The water will get slimy and smell off.
An easy way to avoid this is to soak only the amount you need for a recipe. If you do soak too much, see tips on storage below.
Storage:
Soaked cashews can be drained (a must!) and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
Soaked Cashews Recipes:
- Vegan Greek Yogurt
- Vegan French Onion Dip
- Creamy Chipotle Pasta Salad
- Broccoli "Cheese" Soup
- Cinnamon Raisin Cupcakes with Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting
Pictured: Cashew Sour Cream
More kitchen tutorials!
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How to Soak Cashews
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to soak cashews with 3 easy methods! Soak them overnight or in just 15 minutes. Creates perfect cashews for cream, dips, sauces, cheese, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 3 cups water
Instructions
Overnight soak:
- Place your cashews in a large bowl. Pour the water over the cashews. Cover and place in the fridge to soak for 6-8 hours.
Hot Water Soak:
- Place your cashews in a large bowl and bring the water to a boil in a pot or tea kettle. If your faucet gets hot enough, you can also use tap water.
- Cover the cashews with plenty of hot water. Let soak for 30-40 minutes. To speed up things even faster, place a plate over the top of the bowl to trap in the heat.
Boil Soak:
- Place the cashews in a medium-sized pot. Cover with water and bring it to a boil. Once it is at a rolling boil, turn off the heat, cover and let the cashews soak for 15 minutes.
Notes
Soak times are based off of whole raw cashews.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 157
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 3mg
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
Keywords: cashew, nut, soak, water, cream,
I can't find a great food safety resource and I wonder if you may know... I left my cashews too long in error. They soaked for 12-16 hours. The color and taste are fine but the water was oily (not full gel thick). Is the issue with them in the water too long a taste or baking concern vs food safety? This is the second time in a few months I had this happen due to being interrupted by small kids. I hate to throw them out. It's for cashew milk so the soggy texture isn't concerning to me.
Hi Natalie! I have been there! So, for legal reasons, since this is about food safety, I can't tell you what you should do, but I can tell you what I've done in the past. Unless the cashews seem slimy, smell off, or taste off, I discard the soaking water and use them. One way to prevent this is to soak them in the fridge instead of the counter. Happy cooking!
Thanks for complete information on storage and freezing. I have found lots of sites that tell how to soak cashews, but not how long they will keep, etc.
Have you had good results after they have been frozen?
★★★★★
Hi Deborah! The cashews preform great in recipes after frozen. The texture and flavor is, to me, identical. I thaw them in the fridge overnight before using. Happy cooking!
This was so helpful! I wanted to make a recipe but hadn't realized I had to soak the nuts for so long. Your quicker solutions worked well! Thank you!!
I blend my soaked cashews, and when they reach a temperature of 110 degrees (nice and warm when you put your wrists on the side of the blender, but not hot). Just before I stop blending, I add a 34 strain probiotic, then let it sit out for another 24hrs to let it sour, like yogurt. When I put it in the refrigerator, it keeps for more than a month. I do that with all the nuts I mix into my “Vegan Yogurt”. That would be not only Cashews, but Pistachios, Brazil Nuts, and Coconut Shreds (all raw). Separately, I do the same with a Pine, and Macadamia Nut blend which has a unique and delicious flavor.