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Learn how easy it is to make homemade creamy cashew milk for all of your dairy-free needs. You don’t even need a nut milk bag, just blend and serve.
What is Cashew Milk?
Cashew milk is a non-dairy milk alternative made by blending cashes with water. Cashew milk is perfect for sweet or savory recipes, and can be heated or used in baking. Learn more about which dairy-free milks are best for which purpose. You don’t need to strain cashew milk through a nut milk bag, so it’s one of the easiest, most affordable, and fastest dairy-free milks you can make.
Homemade cashew milk will keep in your refrigerator for up to 5 days and is excellent for putting in coffee. Let me show you exactly how to make cashew milk.
How to Make Homemade Cashew Milk
Unlike almonds that usually need to soak in water for 8-10 hours, cashews only need a very quick soak and rinse to get them ready for blending. That’s one reason I love making cashew milk so much. It’s just so easy. Honestly, even 10 minutes in a bowl of water is enough soaking time for cashews. I recommend using organic cashews.
Step 1
So, the first step to making cashew milk is to place about one cup of cashews in a bowl and cover them with filtered water.
Step 2
The second step is to rinse the cashews and then combine them in a high-speed blender with fresh filtered water.
As I mentioned, one of the best parts about making cashew milk is that you don’t have to strain it.
Step 3
So, the third step is to blend the cashews and water until they are completely combined. That’s it! Now you have creamy cashew milk that is so much better for most people than cow’s milk.
Homemade Cashew Milk Blends & Flavors
- The most basic way to make cashew milk is to blend 1 cup of unsalted, raw cashews with 4 cups of filtered water. Use it plain in your favorite sweet or savory recipes that call for dairy-free milk.
- Or, try blending 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/3 cup brazil nuts + 1 tablespoon of carob or cocoa powder for a Cashew-Brazil Chocolate Milk or the base of homemade fudgesicles
- For use as a protein-rich smoothie base, blend 1/2 cup organic cashews + 1/4 cup hemp seeds + 3 cups filtered water for a Cashew-Hemp Milk perfect for green smoothies (see my list of smoothie recipes)
Benefits of Drinking Dairy Free Milk
If you’ve ever suffered with acne or allergies, then you might want to consider trying dairy alternatives. Milk from cows is one of the most common allergens for kids and adults, and most people are lactose-intolerant as well. Additionally, the protein in cow’s milk is not the pure product of our ancestor’s. Today’s milk most often comes from cows that are raised in a confined environment and are give hormones and antibiotics.
To try going dairy-free, make sure you have alternatives available such as cashew milk, almond milk, hemp milk, or your favorite option. Try these non dairy alternatives for about 14 days to see if your symptoms improve. Learn more about the health benefits of going dairy free.
Questions About Homemade Cashew Milk
Is cashew milk or almond milk better?
I prefer making cashew milk because you don’t have to strain it like you do with almond milk. I also like cashew milk because it can help increase serotonin levels.
What are the benefits of cashew milk?
Homemade cashew milk is nutritious because cashews has lots of nutritional benefits.
Is cashew milk high in protein?
Cashew milk is not high in protein. A 1/2 cup serving has about 3 1/2 grams of protein according to my recipe.
Is cashew milk better than milk?
Cashew milk is a great substitute for dairy milk, but it’s not necessarily better. It really just depends whether or not you have a sensitivity to dairy or to nuts.
If you’re looking for other dairy-free milk options, you might like these recipes:
- Homemade Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Macadamia Nut Milk
- Oat Milk Creamer
- Vanilla Coconut Milk Beverage
- Vanilla Hemp Milk
I also have a round-up post of the best dairy-free milk recipes.
How do I know if my cashew milk is bad?
I don’t recommend keeping homemade cashew milk for longer than 5 days in the refrigerator. But, if you do, you can tell if you cashew milk has gone bad if it doesn’t smell good.
Here’s how to make Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk:
Print
Creamy Cashew Milk
Prep Time: 15 mins- Cook Time: 1 min
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: High-Speed Blender
- Cuisine: Dairy-free, vegan, paleo
Prep Time:
Yield:
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Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Homemade cashew milk is super easy to make, and can be used for your dairy-free needs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic cashews, soaked for 10–30 minutes in filtered water, rinsed well and drained
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Combine the cashews and water in a high-speed blender. Process for about 45 seconds or until completely blended.
- Store the milk in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
Add the seeds of 1 vanilla bean or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to make a creamy vanilla version!
What’s your favorite way to use cashew milk? What other combinations of nuts and seeds do you like for dairy-free milks? Let me know in the comments!
Be sure to pin this cashew milk recipe to Pinterest to save it for later:
READ NEXT: HEALTH REASONS TO CONSIDER GOING DAIRY-FREE
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Debbie Ward says
oh Carrie I sure do hope this brand will become available on the east coast!!! I will look forward to trying them 🙂 at the moment we buy almond milk and coconut milk which yes is processed at a plant…I tell myself it’s better than cows milk…I know that add stuff to it… my older aunt did find some cashews labeled raw at Trader Joes and grabbed a bag for me… so I will need to attempt milk or oh yummy fudge sickles (my fav as a kid) loving the thought of not having to pour mixture into a nut milk bag and squeezing it through and dealing with the leftover pulp and omg cleaning the bag out!!! love you girl!!!
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
Thanks, Debbie!!! I love hearing from you and really appreciate your warmness. LMK how your cashew milk and fudgesicles turn out. I promise that these recipes are really super easy, and I am the laziest person in the kitchen in the whole world. :0)
Nancy A. says
Where can I find these cashews? Are they online? I use almond milk now, but would love to try the cashew milk! No straining would be wonderful!!! Love your articles!!
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
I put a few links in the blog post and recipe, Nancy, but I’m more than happy to share here. Thanks for asking and for such kind words. XOXO.
Nancy A. says
Sorry, guess I was so excited I didn’t see the links! It looks so good and creamy! Thank you and I will definitely make this!!!
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
No worried, Nancy! I think I probably need to do something to make my links more noticeable. Enjoy your creamy, delicious cashew milk! 🙂
Melissa K. says
I discovered homemade cashew milk months ago. It is ALL I make (with my Vitamix). I have also experimented with less rich concentrations to keep the calories low (in my 60s, every calorie has to count, lol). My favorite for everyday use..coffee, oatmeal, etc. is a ratio of 1/3 cup soaked cashews and 3 2 /3 cups water. Really tastes great, looks a lovely opaque white, with a concentration of 1/11. And, money saving!
Use the rich stuff for other things!
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
Thanks, Melissa, I love that super helpful input. Glad to find another long-time cashew milk fan. XO! 🙂
Judy says
Carrie; It doesn’t get easier then these recipes. Thanks, I am going to give them a try.
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
Let me know which combination you make, Judy, and how you like the cashew milk. Have a great weekend!
Judy says
Yesterday I tried the cashew milk and it’s so good. A lot of times it’s so easy to eat real food – there was no work to it at all. Thanks Carrie. judy.
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
Great, Judy! So glad you like it. It’s so easy and I almost felt silly posting such a simple recipe, but sometimes simpler is better. 🙂 Have a great week!
Marla says
HI Carrie,
I use the Now brand products and I have been very happy so far with them. I usually by them on line. Your recipe for cashew milk is so simple and so much healthier than the store bought brands that have so little nutrition to them. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted.
Carrie Forrest, MBA/MPH says
Thanks, Marla!!! I agree, I have been very happy with the NOW line, especially the organic products. I’m glad you like my cashew milk recipe, so simple yet so delicious! Have a great week.
kimmythevegan says
Ah!! No straining! I love it. If I ever make homemade mylk, I always make hemp since I don’t have to strain it. I’ll definitely try this! Yay for lazy nutmylk making haha ;p
Elana says
Hi Carrie, I hope you can answer this question for me: why is it necessary to use filtered water when making nut milks? Just curious, thank you!
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
It’s not necessary, just a preference to keep out chlorine or other flavors from tap water. 🙂
Mabel says
Thanks for this easy to make recipe!
★★★★★
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
My fav dairy-free milk because it’s so easy and soooo creamy!
★★★★★
Romina says
This looks so good! I always have almond milk but have never tried cashew milk, now I have to!
★★★★★
Gloria says
I have never tried to make any sort of nut milk at home. Looks like a great idea. I do purchase them from time to time. I am always concerned at the number of additivies they contain. This looks healthier for sure.
★★★★★
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I can’t believe how super easy it is to make cashew milk! Two ingredients? Amazing.
★★★★★
Dannii says
We love making our own cashew make. So easy and so creamy.
Traci says
I love how easy it is to make cashew milk! We always have cashews on hand, so we’re always ready for it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
★★★★★
Bradley Stoll says
Will cashew milk separate, like almond milk does? Or, should I use sunflower lecithin to prevent that? Thanks!
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
It can separate, yes, but I just shake it up before use and it’s good to go!