Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce

This Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce recipe is creamy and rich with the perfect amount of fresh basil and zesty lemony magic. This sauce is somewhere between a pesto and a pasta sauce. Want to know my favorite part? It only takes 5 minutes to make. Boom. Mic drop.

Recipe Q&A

Is this recipe vegetarian? Vegan?

Yes and yes! This cashew sauce is a vegan recipe but trust me when I tell you that you do not need to be vegan to enjoy this saucy goodness!

Do I have to soak my cashews?

You DO NOT need to soak cashews prior to blending if you have a high powered blender or food processor such as Vitamix, Ninja or Blendtec. A high powered blender will ensure you get that velvety smooth texture when blending the cashews. 

You DO need to soak your cashews prior to blending if you do not have a high powered blender or food processor. Simply cover the cashews with water for a couple hour to soften them. Then drain the cashews and proceed with the recipe! Soaking cashews in water softens them and makes them much easier to blend into a smooth sauce. 

What should I use this cashew sauce for?

This is a pretty versatile sauce which is another reason I love it. Use it as a dressing on salads and grains bowls. Use it as a pasta sauce with your favorite noodles. Dip fries or veggies in it. Spread it a your favorite sandwich or wrap. So many options!

How to Make Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce

Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

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This Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce recipe is creamy and rich with the perfect amount of fresh basil and zesty lemony magic. 

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• Zest from 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions

 

• Blend: Blend all ingredients on high speed until smooth (about a minute)*. Use immediately or store in a sealed container in the fridge until needed.

Notes

*A high quality/powerful blender (eg. Vitamix, Ninja, etc.) will get you a smooth and creamy consistency. If you do not have a powerful blender, soak the cashews in water for 2 hours before blending. This will soften the cashews and make the sauce nice and creamy regardless of blender used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4Tbsp. | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 23g | Sodium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Have you tried this recipe? Let me know what you think! Rate this recipe and leave a comment below.