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Home » Recipe Index » Sauces

Cashew Cream

Modified: May 6, 2025 · Published: Apr 25, 2021 by Gigi & Sersie · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This cashew cream sauce will become a staple in your plant-based vegan cooking routine. With only three ingredients, this deliciousness goes on almost any savory dish. This vegan cashew sour cream sauce is gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, and absolutely delicious!

side view of cashew cream sauce being poured from a mini blender into a glass mason jar
this versatile vegan sour cream stores well in a mason jar

This sauce goes great on Black Bean Tacos, Tostadas, Veggie Chili, Veggie Tofu Scramble Chilaquiles, Hearty Breakfast Burrito, Vegan Nachos, Cuban Black Beans and rice, baked potatoes, you name it!

What's nice about this recipe is you can easily adjust the consistency for whatever you're using it for. Meaning, it could be made thicker for a plant-based sour cream to dollop, or thinner for more of a crema sauce to drizzle.

You only need 3 ingredients to make this sauce

  1. Raw cashews
  2. Apple cider vinegar
  3. Lemon
Cashew cream ingredients: raw cashews, fresh lemon, and apple cider vinegar.
key ingredients: cashews, lemon, apple cider vinegar

How to prepare

Add cashews to a small pot with water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the cashews sit in hot water for another 5 to 10 minutes. [*Note: If you prefer a raw sauce, instead of boiling cashews to soften, soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.]

Drain cashews and rinse with lukewarm water to bring the temperature down.

Add softened cashews, freshly squeezed lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and water to a mini-blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon more water at a time to achieve desired consistency. The sauce will thicken a little as it sits.

Salt to taste and enjoy!

top view of water being poured into a small pot with cashews
gently boil cashews for 3 to 4 minutes; turn off the heat and lit sit for another 5 to 10 minutes to soften
side view of a mini blender with cashews, water, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar
add softened cashews to a mini blender with remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy

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Store this smooth and creamy sauce in an airtight container, such as a mason jar. This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

side top view of a mason jar with cashew cream and a spoon dipping some out; blue and white striped napkin on the side
adjust consistency of this beautiful sauce with the amount of water

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is sour cream not vegan?

Most store-bought sour creams contain dairy. However, this non-dairy sour cream recipe is vegan because its made with cashews, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.

Is there a vegan option for sour cream?

Yes, there are store-bought kinds, however, this homemade sour cream is far superior both nutritionally as well as in flavor. Vegan sour creams you may buy at the grocery store have added oil and (dare I say) an aftertaste. This sour cream is made with only 3 ingredients plus water and (optional) salt and takes only 15 minutes to make. Less time than it would for you to drive to the store, locate the vegan sour cream, check out, and drive back home.

How do I store leftovers?

Store this smooth and creamy cashew sauce in an airtight container, such as a mason jar. This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.

top view close up of vegan sour cream in a mason jar with a spoon sticking out; lid is blurred in the background
from the refrigerator, give the sauce a stir before serving

We hope you love this vegan sour cream sauce as much as we do. Please rate and leave a comment below. Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us  @danielsplaterecipes so we can see your creation!

top view close up of a mason jar with cashew sour cream; blue and white stripped napkin on the side

Cashew Cream

5 from 1 vote
Course: Sauces
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 91kcal
Author: Gigi & Sersie
Print Pin Rate
This cashew cream sauce will become a staple in your plant-based vegan cooking routine. With only three ingredients, this deliciousness goes on almost any savory dish. This vegan cashew sour cream sauce is gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, and absolutely delicious!

Equipment

  • 1 mini bullet blender

Ingredients  

  • ½ cup raw cashews soaked and drained
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • salt to taste I used ⅛ tsp.
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Instructions

  • Add cashews to a small pot with water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the cashews sit in hot water for another 5 to 10 minutes. See Notes below for raw cashew cream sauce.
  • Drain cashews and rinse with lukewarm water to bring the temperature down.
  • Add softened cashews, freshly squeezed lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and water to a mini bullet blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon more water at a time to achieve desired consistency. The sauce will thicken a little as it sits.
  • Salt to taste and enjoy!

Notes

Raw Sauce: If you prefer a raw sauce, instead of boiling cashews to soften, soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 0.3IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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Gigi & Sersie

Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue have over 25 years of combined experience in plant-based nutrition and health coaching. Their passion for healthy eating inspired them to create Daniel’s Plate, a recipe site focused on whole food, plant-based meals.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gigi

    May 12, 2025 at 11:34 am

    5 stars
    Love this cashew sour cream sauce! So yummy on veggie chili, Cuban black beans, and vegan black bean tacos.

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

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