How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews Properly - Overnight and Quick Soak Method (2024)

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By Elaine Gordon · Published (Updated Jul 19, 2023)

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Have you ever seen a recipe ask you to soak cashews and thought, "Huh?" I'm here to help! We're diving into How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews Properly, with both an overnight and quick method. I've also got all of the best recipes to use this creamy vegan ingredient in delicious, innovative ways!

If you've browsed the recipes on my site, you may have noticed that lots of my recipes call for soaked cashews! I always include recipe notes about how to do that, but I thought I'd dive in a little deeper in this article. Why do I soak cashews? How do you do it? And is there a faster way to do it? You've come to the right place, because I am fascinated by all of the elements of vegan cooking, and I've tested out all the methods for you!

In this post you'll find How and Why to Soak Cashews, and you'll also see photos of the different methods all compared. Find the process that works for you, and you'll be creating delicious, creamy, vegan dishes in no time!

Finally, if you're nut-free, don't despair! I've made a delicious nut-free swap for cashew cream with my seed-based Sunflower Seed Cream Sauce. The same theories apply, and you can use this in all of my recipes for a nut-free option!

All About Cashews

I buy raw, unsalted cashews in the bulk section of my grocery store and store them in the refrigerator (or freezer) in a large, airtight mason jar. In the refrigerator cashews can last up to six months, and they can actually last up to a year if you store them in the freezer!

Cashews are considered an excellent source of copper and a good source of magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, phosphorous and zinc. In the photo above you'll see raw cashews (middle), with overnight-soaked cashews on the left and quickly soaked cashews on the right!

For more information on cashews, check out my complete guide onCashews Benefits for Vegans (+ Recipes).

How Long Does it Take to Soak Cashews?

There are two methods: a fast and a slow way! You can pick which one works best for you and your schedule. I am including both a fast and slow method, along with the benefits of each one. If you have ever made a cashew-based recipe with gritty results, you probably didn't fully soak the cashews! Luckily it's an easy fix with delicious results.

In the photo above you can see the difference between an overnight and a quick soak. The nut on the left in both photos has been soaked overnight, while the one on the right was done with a quick-soak method using boiling water! You can see the overnight soak allows the cashew to swell more since it has more time to absorb the water.

Soaking Cashews Overnight

Soaking cashews overnight keeps your nuts raw, which helps them retain more of their nutrients. If you have extra time and are committed to a raw diet, then this method is for you!

I also like to use this option if I'm planning ahead and know I'll need them for a recipe the next day. This is nice because I have ingredients ready when I make dinner and I don't even have to wait for water to boil!

My main caution with the overnight method is that you don't want to soak the cashews for too long. After 16 hours or so, I find they start to get a bit slimy. I suggest rinsing and refreshing your water after 12 hours if you aren't yet ready to use them. After 16 hours, if the cashews are gel-like and really slimy (say you forget about them completely), I would recommend tossing them.

How to Quickly Soak Cashews

The quick-soak method is what I use most of the time! This is done by pouring boiling water over your raw cashews and letting it sit for 1-2 hours. If you are in so much of a rush that you don't have time to quick soak them and wait the hour, you can do the super speedy method by boiling them on the stovetop for 15 minutes.

I’m usually in a rush so I sometimes have to skip soaking my nuts in advance altogether. Luckily, I have a high speed blender that actually does a great job of making dry cashews into cream! I simply add a bit more water and blend longer. Soaking the cashews definitely creates smoother, creamier results, but in a pinch my high-speed blender comes through!

Benefits of Soaking Cashews

Some people like to soak cashews in advance to make them more easily digestible. I’ve also read that soaking helps make the nutrients more available! One of the main things that happens when cashews soak is they absorb the water and soften. The softer the cashews, the smoother and creamier your recipe will turn out!

Soaked cashews also swell in size because of water retention, so skipping this step may affect the outcome of your recipe. If you skip soaking, you will likely need to add more liquid to your recipe to compensate. As you can see in the photos above, cashews that are soaked overnight (the cashews on the left in both photos) retain more water and are fluffier! They will create silkier, creamier results.

How to Use Soaked Cashews

Now that you've soaked your cashews, let's use them to create something incredible and delicious! Cashews are awesome for using in vegan, dairy-free, and paleo cooking. Many of my recipes have cashews as a main element!

I most often use soaked cashews in my Homemade Vegan Cashew Cream, which blends into so many other recipes to create a smooth, creamy, silky consistency. It's a great addition to smoothies for added nutrients and creaminess! Don't forget to tag me on Instagram if you make any of these recipes!

Homemade Vegan Cashew Cream

Easy Homemade Vegan Sour Cream

Easy Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe

Recipes that call for soaked cashews:

  • Condiments and sauces: Easy Green Onion Cashew Sauce, Poppy Seed Dressing, Creamy Vegan Pasta Sauce
  • Dips: Vegan French Onion Dip, Cinnamon Vanilla Fruit Dip, Creamy Roasted Garlic Dip
  • Soups: Speedy Creamy Broccoli Soup, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Carrot Ginger Soup, Cream of Asparagus Soup
  • Entrees: , Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Black Lentils and Creamy Marinara, Creamy Butternut Squash "Risotto" (no rice needed!), Easy Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (for pizza!), Creamy Vegan Garlic Mushroom Fettuccine, Vegan No-Boil Pasta Bake, The Best Vegan Mac N Cheese
  • Sides: , Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Vegan Picnic Pasta Salad
  • Desserts: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Grain-Free Key Lime Pie Bars, 5-Ingredient Vegan Peppermint Patties, , No-Churn Blender Vanilla Ice Cream, , Easy Vanilla Blender Icing, No-Churn Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream, Vegan Pumpkin Pie Pudding, No-Cook Vegan Blackberry Vanilla Pudding, No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Pie

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How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews Properly - Overnight and Quick Soak Method (33)

How to Soak Cashews (Overnight and Quick Soak Methods)

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5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Elaine Gordon
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1.5 cups soaked cashews (overnight); 1 ⅓ cups soaked cashews (quick soak) 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Ingredients

UnitsScale

For soaking overnight:

  • 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
  • 2 cups filtered water, room temperature or cold

For quick soak:

  • 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews
  • 1.5 cups boiling hot filtered water (depending on which method you use)

Instructions

For soaking overnight:

  1. Add cashews and water to a 3 cup glass jar or any 3-cup or larger container with a lid and an airtight seal.
  2. Place the jar in the refrigerator overnight (~ 8-12 hours).
  3. After soaking is complete, remove the lid, pour water through a strainer and rinse the soaked cashews thoroughly with fresh tap water. Now, you are ready to use the soaked cashews in your favorite recipes.
  4. Do not allow cashews to over-soak and get slimy/gel-like. This usually happens after 16 or more hours.

For quick soak:

  1. Addraw cashewsand boiling hot filtered water to a 2-cup glass measuring cup with pour spout (or anyglass bowlor container).
  2. Allow to sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours at room temperature. The longer you allow them to soak in the water the more they will soften and the more water they will absorb and swell. If time, longer is better for most recipes. Usually one hour is best but if you are extremely rushed for time then 30 minutes can work in a pinch.
  3. After soaking is complete, pour water through a strainer and rinse the soaked cashews thoroughly with fresh tap water. Now, you are ready to use the soaked cashews in your favorite recipes.
  4. Do not allow cashews to over-soak and get slimy/gel-like.

Notes

I recommend using soaked cashews right away for best results. Always look for signs of spoilage before using.

I like to use filtered water for the best taste/flavor. I find when I use tap water that gets absorbed into the cashews and I taste the tap water in the final recipe results.

For the quick soak method, water should be boiling hot for best results.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cashews
  • Paleo
  • Vegan
  • Raw

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Danielle says

    Your website is beautiful and packed full of wonderful recipes. I appreciate your flavorful recipes! I have now made 5 or 6 of your recipes and have many more to try!
    Thank you so so much!

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      Hi, Danielle: Wow thank you so much for this thoughtful comment and for taking the time to let me know. I'm so happy to hear you have been enjoying my recipes. I would love to know which ones you have tried! Best, Elaine

      Reply

  2. Sondra Resnikoff says

    I used your recipe to learn how to soak cashews.
    I have not done it yet.
    I do not have a blender

    Can I just cut up or smash cashews in recipes I might use
    I have not looked thru your recipes as yet
    I do not use instagram, or other apps like it

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      Hi, Sondra: You will definitely need a blender to use the cashews in my recipes. You can review my recommendations here at every price point: https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/blenders-at-every-budget/

      Reply

  3. Brooke W says

    I often forget to rinse the cashews after. Why is it necessary to rinse? I make cashew milk and creamer weekly. Also, how long can it stay in the fridge?

    Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      Hi, Brooke: The rinsing just gets that slim off that happens as the cashews soak. The cashew milk once made can stay in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. I hope that helps! Best, Elaine

      Reply

  4. Bryan Das says

    thank you for this - very informative! i am going to try it tonight!

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      You're welcome! I'm so happy to hear it was helpful!

      Reply

  5. Fawa says

    Hi! It's my first time soaking cashews to make simple cashew cheese. I soaked them for about 12 hours overnight and I rinsed and drained, and then covered with saran wrap and put in the fridge, I won't be ready to use it until another several hours. Will it still be okay if kept in the fridge like this? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      Hi, Fawa: Soaked cashews stored in the fridge should be fine for a couple hours as you described. I hope that helps. Best, Elaine

      Reply

  6. Jen says

    Hi! Is it possible to store the cashews for a few hours after they live soaked overnight and been rinsed out? I should have timed this better! Can I leave them in an airtight container for a few hours? Do I need to pat dry them after rinsing?

    Reply

    • Elaine Gordon says

      Hi Jen: Good question - yes, you can leave them for a couple hours after soaking no problem. And yes, after rinsing let them dry out a little so you aren't adding too much moisture to the recipe. I don't usually pat dry but you can. I hope that helps! Best, Elaine

      Reply

How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews Properly - Overnight and Quick Soak Method (2024)

FAQs

How (and Why!) to Soak Cashews Properly - Overnight and Quick Soak Method? ›

Because cashews don't have a thick outer skin and they already start as a softer nut, they only need to be soaked for about 2-3 hours. You can soak them overnight, just be sure to place them in the fridge. Over soaking them can lead to bitterness, slimy water, and leaching of their flavor.

Why do you soak cashews overnight? ›

Soaking cashew nuts helps to break down the phytic acid present in them, which can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients and cause digestive issues like constipation, and indigestion. Soaking also helps to remove enzyme inhibitors, making the cashews easier to digest.

Is it good to drink cashew soaked water? ›

If the cashews have already been processed and are edible as they are, then the water is OK. If you are talking about raw unprocessed cashews, that are NOT ready to eat, then NO! That water would be corrosive and not safe to drink.

How many cashews can I eat a day? ›

How many cashews can you eat in a day? The nutty and creamy flavor of cashews can be tempting, and it's easy to end up consuming too much in one sitting. Try to consume no more than one ounce (28.35 grams) of medium cashew a day to reap health benefits. A single serving of cashews contains about 18 nuts.

Should you soak cashews in the fridge or room temperature? ›

Add the cashews to a bowl and fill with enough water to fully cover the nuts. Then cover the bowl. Soak overnight or for at least 5-8 hours. The cashews can be left to soak at room temperature on the counter or in the fridge.

Will cashews go bad if soaked too long? ›

Can You Soak Cashews Too Long? Yes! If you soak cashews too long, they will start to smell and taste a bit off, and the soaking water might become slimy and almost gel-like. If this happens, toss them out.

What happens if you don't soak cashews? ›

In addition to phytic acid, cashews also contain a large number of enzyme inhibitors. When too many of these inhibitors are present, it can make the nut hard to digest. Soaking is a way to neutralize some of these enzymes, allowing for proper digestion when you eat the cashews.

Can I soak cashews and almonds together? ›

keep them separately soaked in water to get better taste and better results. Soak almonds and cashews together…it will taste good in morning. walnuts r bitter so soak them all alone from the others and eat them either first thing in morning or last thing after the other dry fruits with 10 to 15 minutes gap.

How long do raw cashews last? ›

Shelf Life of Cashews

For example, raw cashews bought in bulk can last for about a month in a dark, cool pantry, and up to 6 months in the refrigerator. For storage past this time period, they can be frozen. Most pre-packaged cashews will come with a best-by date on the package you can use for guidelines.

Which nuts should not be soaked? ›

Unlike almonds and walnuts, cashews do not require soaking before consumption. Cashews are relatively soft and easy to digest, even in their raw form. They contain less phytic acid compared to other nuts, so soaking them does not significantly impact their nutritional value.

Does soaking cashews remove toxins? ›

“Raw” cashews are processed and roasted to get them out of their shells and to neutralize a natural toxicity. Soaking for more than 6 hours can make them slimy and unpalatable. After soaking, immediately roast for 12 to 24 hours in a 200° to 250° oven. Stir occasionally until crisp.

Can I eat cashews in an empty stomach? ›

Is it okay to consume cashews on an empty stomach? Eating cashew nuts on an empty stomach is not advised because they can raise the stomach's PH. There's a chance this could trigger stomach-based allergy reactions.

What are the top 3 healthiest nuts? ›

Some of the healthiest nuts include Brazil nuts, pistachios, cashews, and almonds. There are many options to enjoy this nutritional treat, but be sure to enjoy them in moderation. Nuts have health benefits, like reducing your heart disease risk.

Is 20 cashews too much? ›

Keep in mind that about 20 percent of the fat content in cashews is saturated fat, which is much higher than most other nuts, so portion size is especially important. Recommendation: One ounce (18 medium) cashews per day.

Are cashews anti-inflammatory? ›

Almonds (nuts in general)-Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are among some of the best nuts to eat when wanting to avoid inflammation. What makes these so easy to eat is that they can be a snack, incorporated into a main dish, or sprinkled on dessert. Try to get these in your diet, daily if possible.

Why did soaked cashews turn purple? ›

I have even managed to make this without soaking the cashews at all. Soaking can make the nuts more digestible, but cashew nuts only need three to four hours soaking or they start to turn purple. This is because their skins have been exposed to heat during their processing, even if they are raw.

What does soaking nuts overnight do? ›

Benefits of soaking nuts

"Essential nutrients like iron, protein, calcium, and zinc are better absorbed by the body when you soak the nuts. The water removes the phytic acid present in acids which causes indigestion. So, soaking nuts helps in digesting them properly and reaping the benefits of these nutrients.

What happens if we eat cashews at night? ›

Most nuts, but especially tree nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios, are high in tryptophan. This molecule boosts melatonin and serotonin production in the body, helping you fall asleep and stay asleep better. Because of the high tryptophan content, nuts are one of the best healthy late night snacks available.

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