Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free, Plant-Based & Easy!) (2024)

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By Alisa Fleming on Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Beverages, Dairy-Free Recipes, Milk Subs

Cashews have a wonderful balance of nutrients for making dairy-free milk beverages. The fat provides a creamy consistency, the protein helps create structure and body, and the carbohydrates lend pleasant flavors to each sip. This is my basic homemade cashew milk recipe adapted from my flagship book, Go Dairy Free: The Ultimate Guide and Cookbook.

Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free, Plant-Based & Easy!) (1)

Homemade Dairy-Free Cashew Milk is Versatile & Insanely Easy

I first shared this easy dairy-free cashew milk recipe way back in 2007. Since then, nut milks have really taken off – including store-bought. But nothing beats homemade in my opinion. It’s far more versatile and seamless than manufactured brands since it doesn’t contain any additives. It’s richer, thicker, and more natural, and it won’t curdle in sauces or coffee. Seriously!

Nutty Variations

In chapter 12 of the 2nd Edition of Go Dairy Free, I share full details on all of the nut options that I tested with this recipe. You can read about the taste, cost per quart, nutritional merits, what it works best in (sweet, savory, coffee, sauces, etc), and more. As you might guess, almonds are a stand-out option, but each nut has something to offer and performs differently.

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Is a Nut Milk Bag Worth It?

Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free, Plant-Based & Easy!) (3)Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free, Plant-Based & Easy!) (4)Short answer: YES! Cheesecloth is great for homemade dairy cheese, but it can get messy quick with homemade milk beverage. A fine mesh sieve works in a pinch, but some nut bits will probably get through, and squeezing the pulp is challenging. Plus, nut milk bags are pretty darn cheap, and they work well for all types of fine straining. They’re also reusable and easy to clean.

The one I’m using in the picture is Ellie’s Best, which is very popular. It’s larger than your average nut milk bag, so it’s perfect for making small or large batches. It actually fit around the mouth of my very large pitcher!

Nut Pulp Uses

After you strain the cashew milk, you’ll be left with what looks like lifeless nut grounds. It’s often referred to as nut pulp. Nut pulp is very fibrous and quite flavorless. However, you can add it to hot cereal or stir it into homemade granola before baking to avoid waste. It won’t provide many nutrients, mainly fiber, since you have squeezed a lot of the goodness out into your cashew milk.

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How to Use Homemade Cashew Milk

Cashews make one of the creamiest nut milk options, and their flavor works in many applications.

  • Coffee or Tea – Cashew milk makes a lightly sweet creamer that doesn’t tend to curdle or separate.
  • Smoothies – Creamy cashew milk was made for smoothies and homemade dairy-free shakes.
  • Cereal – This is one of my favorite milk beverages to douse on granola.
  • Sauces – The flavor of cashew milk pairs well with most sweet and savory sauces, and it provides a lightly creamy finish. It does have a slight natural sweetness, which is important to keep in mind with your recipe.
  • Baked Goods – Feel free to swap cashew milk in for dairy milk in baked good recipes.
  • Desserts – Dairy-free cashew milk also works well in various creamy desserts, like pudding!
  • Improving Creamy Consistency – If you are making a dairy-free sauce that is heavy on starches, you can add cashew milk to improve the creaminess.
  • Drink It! – Homemade nut milk is more “rustic” than store-bought, but we think it tastes pretty darn good straight up. Add a little vanilla extract or make it chocolate for a special beverage.

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Special Diet Notes: Homemade Cashew Milk

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Homemade Cashew Milk (Dairy-Free Beverage)

Prep time

Total time

This recipe is adapted from my flagship book, Go Dairy Free: The Ultimate Guide and Cookbook. See the post above for helpful tips. Please note that the Prep time is hands-on time only. Allow several hours for the cashews to soak.

Author: Alisa Fleming

Recipe type: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Serves: 4½ cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews ("raw" unsalted)
  • 4 cups water, plus additional for soaking
  • Pinch salt
  • Sweetener, to taste (optional; see Note below)

Instructions

  1. Put the cashews in a container and cover with a few inches of water. Cover and place in the refrigerator to soak for 4 to 6 hours, or up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse the nuts.
  2. Put the soaked cashews in your blender with about 2 cups of the water. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 cups water and salt. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. Pour the milky mixture through a nut milk bag or a few layers of cheesecloth lining a sieve to strain. Squeeze the pulp to extract as much milky goodness as possible.
  4. If desired, return the milk beverage to your blender and blend in some sweetener.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir before each use; it will separate as it sits.

Notes

Sweetener Note: This milk beverage has a light sweetness to it already. But if you prefer a sweeter sip, the flavor goes nicely with most sweeteners - from maple syrup to cane sugar to alternative sweeteners.

Creamier Option: If you need a thicker milk beverage, like half and half, use just 3 cups water.

For More Dairy Alternative Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!

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Homemade Cashew Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free, Plant-Based & Easy!) (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade cashew milk last for? ›

Homemade cashew milk lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. Though I think it's best consumed within the first 2-3 days. You can halve this recipe if you don't think you'll use it all up. You can also make a full batch and pour any extra into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze for future use.

Is it OK to drink cashew milk everyday? ›

Cashews, the seed of the cashew apple, native to Brazil, are rich in nutrients that come with plenty of health benefits. If you don't find yourself snacking on cashews, drinking cashew milk is a great way to incorporate a rich nutrition value into your daily routine.

Is cashew milk anti inflammatory? ›

Summary Cashew milk contains compounds like antioxidants and zinc that may fight inflammation and boost immunity.

What are the ingredients in cashew milk? ›

Ingredients. Cashewmilk (Filtered Water, Cashews), Contains 2% or Less of: Almonds, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2), Salt, Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavor, Gellan Gum, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C To Protect Freshness).

Can homemade cashew milk go bad? ›

Similarly, UHT milk is heated at ultra-high temperatures to maintain its quality and freshness. Homemade cashew milk, however, often doesn't undergo this process and thus can go bad within three days.

How do you thicken cashew milk? ›

Pour cashew milk into a medium-sized pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking it occasionally. Once it comes to a boil, just let it simmer for 10-20 seconds and remove it from the heat. It will have thickened considerably. Now pour in the remaining 2½ cups of water and whisk to combine.

Does cashew milk spike blood sugar? ›

Certain compounds in cashew milk can promote better control of blood sugar, such as anacardic acid. This can help people with diabetes who struggle with blood sugar levels. Additionally, because cashew milk is free of lactose and has fewer carbs than traditional dairy, which is recommended for those with diabetes.

What's healthier almond or cashew milk? ›

One cup of unsweetened almond milk is typically going to contain 40 calories, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of fiber. On the other hand, one cup of cashew milk is going to contain fewer calories at 25, less than 1 gram of protein, 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbs, and 0 grams of fiber.

Which is healthier almond milk or cashew milk? ›

Overall, almond milk and cashew milk are remarkably similar in their nutrition profile since they're both made from nuts and water. The main differences will be between different brands and how much (if any) calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 they add to their products.

What are the disadvantages of cashew milk? ›

The Downside of Cashew Milk

One downside is that it doesn't have as much protein as cow's milk or even almond milk. So if you're looking for a protein-rich drink, cashew milk might not be the best choice. Additionally, because it's made from nuts, it can be a trigger food for those with nut allergies.

Which is healthier oat milk or cashew milk? ›

Is cashew milk better than oat milk? Unless you have a nut allergy, oat milk isn't much better for you than cashew milk. Both contain similar amounts of fortified nutrients. Oat milk has more calories and carbs, but at 60 calories a cup, it's not an unreasonable amount for milk.

Does cashew milk have side effects? ›

While it can be a healthy and delicious alternative to cow's milk, there are some potential risks to be aware of when consuming homemade cashew milk. Allergies: Some people may be allergic to cashews, which can cause symptoms such as itching, hives, and difficulty breathing.

Which nut milk is the healthiest? ›

For overall nutrition profile, however, almond milk and cashew milk top our list. In an extremely low-calorie package, one cup of each contains approximately 25 to 50 percent of your day's calcium and 25 percent of your daily vitamin D.

Why is there a shortage of cashew milk? ›

COVID-19 caused disruptions in global supply chains, affecting various industries, including food production and distribution. These disruptions impacted the availability of cashew milk products, potentially leading to supply shortages or production challenges.

What is the healthiest milk? ›

Dairy milks typically have the most nutritional value. Among the plant options, soy milk comes closest to the nutritional profile of cow's and goat's milks. Many plant-based milks are lower in saturated fat and calories than cow's milk.

How long does fresh cashew milk last in the fridge? ›

How long will homemade cashew milk last? Most homemade nut milk will last in the fridge for 4-6 days as long as it's in a clean container with an airtight lid.

How do you preserve homemade cashew milk? ›

STORAGE. Homemade cashew milk keeps fresh in the fridge for up to five days, which is nice because you can make a batch at the start of each week. Just make sure you're storing it in a container that is sealed and you're good to go!

How long do homemade nut milks last? ›

How long it lasts will depend on a variety of factors such as how well you sterilize your equipment, the freshness of your ingredients, and the temperature of your fridge. We find that on average, DIY almond milk lasts 4-5 days.

Does homemade cashew milk need to be refrigerated? ›

Storing your homemade cashew nut milk is simple. Here's what you need to know: Refrigeration: Store your cashew milk in an airtight container or in glass bottles with a lid in the refrigerator. It's best if consumed within 3-5 days.

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