Are looking for a cashew substitute or maybe you’re just weary of the same option every time you crave a nutty taste? Guess what? I’ve found some great cashew replacements that are just as tasty and adaptable.
I’ll share my favorite cashew alternatives that will make your taste senses sing. Whether you need a nut-free option or something to spice up your cuisine a bit, these substitutions are great choices.
There’ll be no letdown, I assure you!
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What are cashews?
Cashews, tree nuts originally from Brazil, are now cultivated in many tropical locations. They’re noted for their kidney- or crescent-shaped form and creamy, somewhat sweet taste.
Cashews’ creamy taste makes them a popular component in vegan and dairy-free dishes. They’re very versatile as a snack or in curries, stir-fries, and salads. Cashews are also used to make plant-based milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Cashew cheese is a wonderful vegan option, which I’ve already discussed in my articles on cheddar cheese substitutes and white American cheese alternatives.
Cashews are healthy and tasty. High quantities of heart-healthy fats, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals including magnesium, zinc, and vitamin K contribute to their favorable effects on blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Since cashews have a higher caloric density than other nuts, they should be consumed in moderation. However, it doesn’t mean their rich fiber, protein and fat content can’t help you lose weight!
See a medical professional before consuming cashews if you have any concerns. Cashew allergy or dietary intolerance is possible in some individuals.
10 best cashew substitute ideas
Let’s discuss some of the best alternatives to raw cashews for your favorite recipes.
- Almonds
Protein, fiber, and healthy fats make almonds a very healthy substitute for cashews in sauce, nut butter, and vegan cheese. Almond milk can replace cashew milk in smoothies, sauces, and baked goods.
When making my vegan cream sauce, I found that almonds worked just as well as cashews. Similar in texture, and enhanced by the sweet, nutty taste of the almonds.
- Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are another substitute for cashews. Salads, granola bars, and baked items benefit from their mild flavor and creamy texture.
Sunflower seeds provide vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium. They can top oatmeal or yogurt bowls or replace cashews in nut butter, cream sauce, and vegan cheese dishes.
Do you need a substitute for sunflower seeds? In any case, there are some neat alternatives for a variety of sweet and savory dishes!
- Hemp seeds
Hemp seeds are a rich source of protein, good fats, zinc, and iron. Dips, sauces, and smoothies can benefit from hemp seeds’ creamy texture and nutty taste. They can replace cashews in pesto, nut butter, and vegan cheese.
- Cashew butter
Cashew butter is a tasty and versatile cashew alternative. Most health food stores sell cashew butter, but you can also prepare it at home by mixing cashews with oil. Spreads, dips, and creamy sauces all benefit from using this ingredient.
You can also use some cashew butter replacement, like almond butter, tahini, or sunflower butter.
- Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts can replace cashews in pesto, vegan cheese, and baked goods. Their buttery texture and rich, somewhat sweet taste make them an excellent substitute for your favorite recipes.
Macadamia nuts instead of cashews produced a creamy, buttery vegan cheese with a velvety feel. It was very fun for me to experiment with a new ingredient.
Macadamia nuts can also be replaced with cashews and some other cool ingredients. Check out those alternatives for more inspiration!
- Pine nuts
Pine cones produce oval pine nuts. Their texture and sweet, nutty flavor make them a popular cashew alternative, although more pricey.
Instead of cashews, you can try making pine nut butter by mixing pine nuts in a food processor until smooth. It’s delicious!
- Pistachios
Pistachios taste somewhat sweet and nutty, making them perfect for dips, sauces, and vegan cheese. Pistachios include protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamin B6, potassium, and copper—what an incredibly healthy choice!
- Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts can replace cashews in nut butter, cream sauce, and vegan cheese because of their rich, buttery flavor. They include protein, good fats, and selenium, which is necessary for thyroid and immunological health.
- Pecans
Oval-shaped pecans taste buttery. They include vitamin E, magnesium, copper, healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Pecans are fantastic in pies, tarts, nut butter, cream sauce, and vegan cheese.
Pecans are a great alternative to cashews in vegan caramel sauce. It’s one of my favorite sauces to make.
Pecans provide the sauce with a rich, buttery taste for dipping fruit or spreading over ice cream.
- Walnuts
Walnuts lend crunch and a slightly bitter taste to salads, granola bars, and baked goods like brownies and cakes. These tree nuts include protein, flavonoids, magnesium, copper, and healthy fats.
Using walnuts instead of cashews in a vegan cheesecake recipe changed its flavor and texture, but it was still excellent. The crust turned out crunchy and nutty from the walnuts.
Cashew substitute FAQs
A 100g serving of raw cashews contains 553 calories.
It’s best to keep cashews in an airtight container in a cold, dry environment. Freezing the nuts is a better option if you need to keep them for more than two months.
Substitutes for cashew butter include sunflower seed butter, macadamia nut butter, hemp seed butter, and pine nut butter.
Almond flour is one of the best substitutes for cashew flour.
You can replace cashew cream in recipes with coconut cream, almond milk, or soy milk. Silken tofu blended with a small amount of liquid can also work as a substitute for cashews in vegan recipes.
Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and hemp milk are all great alternatives to cashew milk.
BOTTOM LINE: Try numerous replacements to discover one that suits your taste and diet. Even without cashews, you can enjoy your favorite meals with so many alternatives. Consider almonds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, and pine nuts among other tasty options!
Are you looking for additional savory and sweet flavors for your cooking? You might also like these substitutes for coconut, including alternatives to coconut oil, milk, flakes, water and more!