spicy cashew dressing

This spicy cashew dressing is thick, creamy, and deliciously balanced with fresh lime, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger and red chili flakes.

We are putting this spicy cashew dressing on EVERYTHING! It’s a creamy sauce that brings a ton of flavor to noodles, rice bowls, wraps, grilled meat, and salads. I make it with deeply roasted cashews, fresh ginger, soy sauce, lime, and the tiniest splash of fish sauce. 

That last one always makes me pause. It’s kind of an intense thing if think too deeply about it (or smell it straight from the bottle). But believe me, fish sauce adds so much umami flavor and dimension to the sauce. When you use really small amounts, the impact is not overtly fishy like bad take-out. Just deliciously complex. 

And oh yeah. The spicy part of this dressing. We blend up red chili flakes in the dressing to create a slow, steady burn that is so satisfying. I always start small and add more chili flakes to taste, and depending on the crew I’m serving.

spicy cashew dressing ingredients:

• cashews
• canola oil
• soy sauce
• rice wine vinegar
• lime juice
• fish sauce
• ginger
• honey 
• red chili flakes
• garlic powder

how to make spicy cashew dressing:

1. Combine everything in a blender.
2. Add ¼ cup warm water.
3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Add more salt, if needed.
5. Use right away or store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

how to use spicy cashew dressing:

• Dipping sauce for chicken satay
• Drizzled over rice bowls
• Tossed with cold noodles
• Sauce for fresh spring rolls or dumplings
• Dip for crunchy vegetable crudites
• Tossed with your favorite slaw
• Dipping sauce for lettuce wraps
• Drizzled in a wrap (shredded chicken, napa cabbage, crunchy veggies)
• Spooned over crispy tofu or grilled fish
• Tossed with an edamame salad

more homemade salad dressing recipes and sauces to try:

sesame ginger dressing

miso ginger dressing

chili crisp

sichuan chili oil

green goddess dressing

jalapeno ranch dressing

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