Whip up this velvety Cilantro Lime Cashew Cream in minutes. This cashew crema is your non-dairy, gluten-free BFF for tacos and pasta.
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It costs approximately $6.43 to make this cashew cream. The recipe makes eight servings and costs around $0.80 per serving.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About Cashew Crema
- Flexible Recipe: My recipe has two methods for making the cream sauce. Use whichever one works better with your schedule.
- Quick and Easy: The recipe has ten minutes of prep times after the cashews are softened.
- Goes With Everything: This sauce is perfect for topping tacos, over pasta, dipping veggies into, or enjoying solo by the spoonful.
Ingredients To Make Cilantro-Lime Cashew Cream
| Raw Cashews | Is the base for making this sauce extra creamy. The magic happens once it’s been soaked overnight or steamed in hot water for ten minutes. |
| Boiling Hot Water | Again, to softened the cashews. |
| Lime | You will need the juice of two limes and the zest of one lime. |
| Cilantro | Will add a nice herby flare. |
| Spices | This recipe uses garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt—which will season the cashew cream nicely. |
Ingredients and Estimated Cost:
- 1 cup of cashews – $5.99
- 1 cup water – $0.00
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro – $0.30
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.04
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt – $0.01
- 1 lime – $0.08
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the prices for this recipe in February 2024.
How To Make Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
For Hot Recipes:
- Soak raw cashews and boiling water for 10 minutes in a high-speed blender.
- Add spices, salt, and cilantro.
- Blend until thick and creamy green.
For Cold Recipes:
- Soak cashews in cold water (overnight or 5+ hours).
- Blend with spices, salt, cilantro, lime zest & juice until creamy green.
Recipe Variations:
- Add a jalapeño for an extra kick.
- You can substitute parsley for cilantro.
- Substitute lemon for the lime.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve: This sauce is best fresh. Enjoy Cashew Cream as a garnish for tacos, over pasta, marinated chicken, or drizzle over soups.
Store: Store the cashew cream in a jar with a lid and place it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to three days.
Reheat: This sauce does NOT microwave well. It will turn lumpy and burn. To reheat, simply pour into a small saucepan and add a splash of boiling hot water—whisking and stirring until smooth and creamy once again.
Freeze: This recipe does not freeze and thaw well, it separates and looses its thickness.
Cashew Crema Recipe FAQs
Is cashew cream healthier than dairy cream?
You will find that cashew cream is a great option because it is healthier than dairy cream. It typically has fewer calories, total fat, sodium, and saturated fat than dairy cream. For the full nutritional information, see the bottom of the recipe card.
What does cashew cream sauce taste like?
This sauce is creamy, rich, and decadent. It is packed with vibrant cilantro and lime for a refreshing flavor blast.
How long will cashew cream keep in the fridge?
I recommend using the cashew cream within three days.
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Cashew Crema
Recipe Cost 6.43 Serving Cost 0.80
Recipe Cost $ 6.43 Serving Cost $ 0.80Ingredients
- 1 cup of cashews
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro packed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt or salt to taste
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
Instructions
For Hot Recipes:
- First, add one cup of unsalted, raw cashews to a high-speed blender like a Vitamix.
- Next, add one cup of boiling hot water.
- Set aside for 10 minutes. This step will help soften the cashews.
- When ready, add the spices, kosher salt, and cilantro to the blender.
- Blend on high until a thick and creamy green sauce forms.
For Cold Recipes:
- Soak the cashew in cold water overnight or for a minimum of five hours.
- When ready, add the cashews, spices, kosher salt, cilantro, zest, and juice of the lime to the blender.
- Blend on high until a thick and creamy green sauce forms. Enjoy.
Equipment
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Paige says
This is delicious! Five star recipe!