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    Spicy Cashew Dressing (Oil Free!)

    Published: Oct 29, 2021 · Modified: Dec 30, 2021 by Elise Shivamber · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Vegan Spicy Cashew Dressing made with simple pantry ingredients is the most delicious sauce you’ll make. This oil free and vinegar free salad dressing is savory, spicy, light and zingy!

    a jar of spicy cashew dressing on a white countertop

    With only seven easy and natural ingredients, this is such a clean and delicious dairy free spicy dressing! It’s a perfect Trader Joe’s copycat, is quite similar to the sweetgreen spicy cashew dressing, and is also made with cashew butter. Plus, this dressing has no oil in it, making it an even healthier salad dressing!

    My favorite way to use spicy cashew dressing is as a dressing sauce combo with soba noodles. You can use it on your fave salad or with your favorite proteins (delicious with salmon or on top of burgers!).

    People often think a salad is the healthiest thing you can eat, but most times salad dressings can be high calorie and filled with tons of processed ingredients. So they’re so much better when made at home, AND they take no time to make them! 

    Adding clean, homemade sauces and dressings is a foolproof (and CHEAP!) way to start with clean eating. My mom is known for making my Lemon Chive Dressing at least once each week, but I’m more of a homemade Vegan Buffalo Sauce kind of gal! 

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Store
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Use Cashew Dressing
    • Other Dressings and Salads
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Highlights

    This recipe is:

    • Creamy
    • Easy
    • Vegan
    • 7 Ingredients

    Ingredients

    ingredients to make spicy cashew dressing
    • Cashew Butter - cashew butter is the way to get the buttery flavor and texture! I love using homemade cashew butter because it comes out much less expensive per serving, and you can control the salt/oil level. If using store-bought cashew butter, I recommend using one without additional oils.
    • Coconut Aminos - A cleaner substitute for soy sauce.
    • Limes - I highly suggest squeezing the juice from fresh limes to avoid the preservatives used in most bottled lime juices.
    • Ginger
    • Cilantro
    • Red Chili Paste / Sriracha - What gives this cashew sauce it’s spicy flavor. Use sriracha or substitute for Sambal Oelek (a favorite, which is an Indonesian hot sauce). Avoid purchasing sriracha that uses guar gum or natural flavors.
    • Maple Syrup - Helps balance out the spices in this spicy sauce. Substitute for honey (non-vegan option).

    Making your own creamy cashew butter really takes this dressing to the next level!

    Instructions

    Making your own spicy cashew dressing is literally one of the easiest things you will do! Especially because this is not a raw cashew dressing, so no overnight soaking of cashews for this creamy salad goodness!

    You’ll simply add all ingredients into the blender.

    ingredients for spicy cashew dressing in  a blender jar before blending

    Then, blend until smooth.

    Once smooth, you’ll pour into an airtight jar or container and store in the fridge. Or use immediately!

    ingredients for spicy cashew dressing in  a blender jar after blending

    How to Store

    This vegan cashew dressing does have to be refrigerated. This keeps it fresh for longer.

    Store in an airtight jar or container with a lid. Keep in the fridge for up to ten days. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you substitute cashew butter for cashews?

    You can use raw cashew butter as a substitute for raw, soaked cashews. When subbing for the raw cashew butter, use half of the amount needed of whole nuts. So, if the recipe requires 1 cup, use ½ cup of cashew butter.

    How to Use Cashew Dressing

    While this vegan dressing is so good you can lick it from the spoon, there are so many ways you can use it up!

    To drizzle on buddha bowls, especially those with sweet potatoes

    Salads, especially those with Kale or Cabbage that can handle the heat

    On top of roasted vegetables like roasted potatoes or roasted carrots

    As a dip for carrots, cucumbers, sliced bell pepper, or celery

    Soba Noodle Salad

    DIY Pad Thai Salad dressing

    To spruce up a black bean salad

    On top of a sliced avocado for a hot snack

    Make your own Sweet Greens Salad

    On top of proteins like tofu, seitan, steak, pork tenderloin or pork chops, chicken, salmon, or shrimp

    spicy cashew dressing in a white bowl with sriracha

    Other Dressings and Salads

    • Grapefruit Salad Dressing
    • Fresh Mexican Avocado Salad
    • Easy Asian Cucumber Salad
    • Lemon Chive Salad Dressing
    • Tajín Watermelon Mint Salad
    • Dill Mustard Salad Dressing

    📖 Recipe

    Spicy Cashew Dressing (Oil Free!)

    Elise Shivamber
    Vegan Spicy Cashew Dressing made with simple pantry ingredients is the most delicious sauce you’ll make. This oil free and vinegar free salad dressing is savory, spicy, light and zingy!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Course Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 ¼ cup servings
    Calories 66 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender or Food Processor

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup Water
    • 2 tablespoons Cashew Butter
    • ¼ cup Lime Juice
    • 2 tablespoons Coconut Aminos
    • 1 tablespoon Cilantro
    • 2-4 tablespoons Red Chili Paste / Sriracha (2 for mild, up to 4 for hot)
    • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
    • Salt to taste
    • Red Pepper Flakes to taste, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients into the blender.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Pour into an airtight jar or container and store in the fridge for up to two weeks, or use immediately.

    Notes

    When storing in the fridge, the oil may separate. To use, stir to re-combine ingredients.
    Store in an airtight jar or container with a lid. Keep in the fridge for up to ten days.
    Making your own creamy cashew butter really takes this sauce to the next level! (And makes it cheaper per serving!)
    You can use raw, soaked cashew as a substitute for the raw cashew butter. When subbing for the raw cashew butter, use half of the amount needed of whole nuts. So, for this recipe requiring 2 tablespoons of cashew butter, it will require 4 tablespoons of raw, soaked cashews.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 66kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 430mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cashew, dairy free, gluten free, salad dressing, sauce, vegan, vegan sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Sue

      April 28, 2022 at 7:08 am

      I’m curious why this can only be kept for ten days. Trader Joe’s brand has around two months out on it. It looks like the ingredients are exactly the same. What would make theirs more stable? Is there additional processing? It’s not “canned.”

      Reply
      • Elise Shivamber

        April 28, 2022 at 2:01 pm

        Hi Sue! Thank you so much for your question! The biggest difference is that Trader Joe’s dressing contains xanthan gum which prolonges shelf life. Of course, if after ten days/two weeks the dressing still smells and looks fresh, you may find it still tastes fresh, too. Use your best discretion!

        Reply

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