Garlic Lime Cashew Sour Cream

Name: Garlic Lime Cashew Sour Cream
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 1 cup whole raw cashews (soaked overnight in water); 1/2 cup water; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 2 limes (zest and juice); 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional); 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cashew lime crema is perfect for topping tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or as a dip for chips and veggies. It is also great as a salad dressing. However you use this creamy sauce, the flavor thrill will wow you!

Photo of cashew lime crema sitting next to sweet potato fries.

Vegan or not, you have to try this crazy-good vegan sour cream.

It is that good!

Made with cashews, lime juice, and zest, garlic, nutritional yeast, vinegar, salt, and water, this dip is as nutritious as it is delicious.

This cashew sour cream takes less than 10 minutes of hands-on time and is perfect for meal prep.

This sauce is perfect for those avoiding gluten and dairy, whether through dietary restrictions or preference.

This easy-to-make recipe may be healthier, but there is no sacrifice involved with this vegan sour cream. It is so full of flavor that you won't believe it!

Give this cashew sour cream a try, and you will find yourself craving it again and again.

Ingredients

Overhead photo of a cashews, water, garlic, lime juice and zest, nutritional yeast, vinegar, and salt.

Cashews: Use whole raw cashews. Roasted cashews will not give the same results.
Water: I recommend using filtered water.
Garlic: I prefer fresh garlic, but if you don’t have it ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder could be used in its place. Onion powder could also be used.
Limes: Use the juice and zest of two limes. Lime juice goes best if you are serving something like tacos, but lemon juice may also be used.
Nutritional Yeast: This is optional, but it improves the depth of flavor and adds a cheesy tang I love.
Vinegar: A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar gives just the right pop of acid.
Salt: Season with salt to taste.

Serving Suggestions

Cashew lime crema is a delicious and versatile sauce or dip perfect for tacos, sweet potato fries, enchiladas, burritos, chips, and veggies.

Try a dollop on top of Black Bean Tacos, Mexican Quinoa Salad, Black Bean Quinoa Tostadas, or Vegetarian Fajitas.

This cashew sauce is perfect anywhere with Southwestern flavors that you would use regular sour cream.

Tips and Tricks

Soak cashews overnight or for at least four hours before blending. This will help them blend into a creamier consistency.
Add fresh lime juice to taste. This will brighten up the flavors and add a tartness that compliments the cashews perfectly.
I highly recommend using a powerful blender for the best consistency in your cream sauce. A blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec is perfect.

Tools Needed

As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying sales.

High Speed Blender (or good quality food processor)
Bowl and strainer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do You Soak The Cashews?

While cashews are naturally creamy, soaking them in water helps to soften the nuts and make them even easier to blend into a smooth consistency. Soaking also allows the cashews to absorb moisture from the water, which helps to thin out the crema and make it more pourable.

In addition, soaking helps to remove some of the cashews' natural oils, which can make the final product less greasy.

Can I Skip Soaking the Cashews?

I don’t recommend it, but if you have a powerful high-speed blender, you can skip this step. The result won’t be quite as smooth, but the sauce will still be tasty.

How to Make Cashew Cream Sauce

First, start by soaking your cashews in filtered water. I recommend soaking them overnight, but at a minimum, you should soak them for four hours.

Rinse the cashews well after you soak them

Next, place the cashews in a high-powered blender.

Photo of a bowl of raw cashews soaking in water.

Cashews, water, garlic, lime juice and zest, nutritional yeast, vinegar, and salt in a blender.

Add the water, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, and salt.

Process until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for an hour or two to let the flavors combine.

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe, as the texture suffers too much.

Close up photo of a sweet potato fry dipped in cashew lime crema.

If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.

Square photo of cashew lime crema garnished with lime zest sitting next to sweet potato fries.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote