RecipeSpicy Cashew Dressing

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
  • Calories: 40
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Total Fat: 2.5 g
    • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
    • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0 g
  • Total Sugar: 1 g
    • Natural Sugar: 1 g
    • Added Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 260 mg

My family loves Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Dressing. We buy it—and devour it—on repeat. And so I was inspired to take a crack at making my own version using many of the same ingredients, like cashews, ginger, lime juice and soy sauce. While making my own version, I discovered my taste testers had split into two opinionated groups—some preferred a savory spin; others enjoyed it with a sweet kick (staying true to the signature Trader’s Joe rendition). Which will you be on? Whichever camp you find yourself, elevate the flavor even more by adding minced herbs (I typically toss in one to two tablespoons of cilantro, basil, or mint.) This dressing works well on salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, veggie bowls, or my Shrimp Summer Rolls or Spicy Mango Summer Rolls.

  • Some recipe notes:

I recommend adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of any minced herb— cilantro (as in Trader Joe’s), parsley, basil, mint, etc.— to enhance the flavor.

The dressing consistency will slightly thicken in the fridge.

You can adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the Sriracha sauce.

• To mimic the sweetness in Trader Joe’s (and Sweet Greens), mix in the maple syrup.

The nutrition is provided without maple syrup. With maple syrup: add 5 calories and 1 g added sugar per tablespoon. You can see that even with the syrup it’s a great deal!

  • Prep time
  • Total Time
This recipe makes about 1 1/3 cups
Ingredients:
  • • ½ cup raw cashews
  • • ½ cup boiling water
  • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (~1 lime)
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced herbs, optional
Preparation:

Add cashews to a blender and pour the boiling water on top. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. (This will soften up the cashews for easy blending). Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Place in sealed container and allow the dressing to chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

This dressing will keep in the fridge in a sealed container for up to one week.

Nutrition provided per 2 tablespoons. 

Try this Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce!