Oh cashews, is there anything you can't do? If you have been vegan for a while, or if you are just into interesting and healthy recipes, you may have discovered the glory of the cashew. If it's all new to you, then be prepared to fall in love with cashews on a whole other level. No, I'm not talking roasted nut mix in a tin, I'm talking vegan cheeses, creamy dressings, luxurious sauces, just so many delicious things can be done with this wonder nut.
Today I wanted to give you an easy one. Cashew ricotta is creamy, spreadable, and can be seasoned in endless ways. Think zest, chives, black pepper, chili flakes, olive oil, truffle oil, herbs, it really is endless. I love serving this just with some crackers, spreading it on a sandwich, or to replace dairy based ricotta in almost any recipe that might call for it. Plants you've done it again!
Just make sure you allot yourself the 2 hours soaking time for the cashews before you want to prepare this bad boy. Or you could always toss them in water before you head to work or go to bed. They will be totally happy chillin' for up to 12 hours I'm pretty sure.
I just got back from the health food store. In general, I try to avoid health food stores because my wallet hates them.
I am literally thinking of packing soaking cashews so I can make sure to have this cashew ricotta when I get to there. There is just something about the French cities that makes me want to whip out a vegan cheese board. Is it totally crazy to have cashews soaking in a tupperware on a road trip?
Uh, no officer, those are just cashews... in water... TO-TAL-LY normal.
Hmmm... I'll let you know how this one goes.
Cover cashews in plenty of water and let soak for at least 2 hours. Overnight is totally cool too.
Drain your cashews and toss them in a food process with everything else.
Blend it all up, stopping to scrape down the sides every now and then until you reach your preferred ricotta texture. Garnish as you like. You could use lemon zest, chives, black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, chili flakes, or just leave it as is.
Spread on a cracker, use as a spread on a sandwich or just lick a spoon. Yum!
Homemade Vegan Cashew Ricotta
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw cashews
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon white miso paste
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk (such as soy or almond)
- ¼ cup water (use as needed to desired consistency)
Instructions
- Cover cashews in plenty of water and let soak for at least 2 hours. OR if you want to make this right away, boil the cashews for 10 minutes until tender.
- Drain your cashews and toss them in a food processor with everything else. Blend it all up, stopping to scrape down the sides every now and then until you reach your preferred ricotta texture.
Nutrition
Bon Appetegan!
Sam
Melanie says
Will 1 recipe be enough for a larger lasagna or should it be doubled?
Sam Turnbull says
It makes about 2 cups so I think it will be enough. Just depends how cheesy you like it!
Pam says
I used this ricotta recipe in a baked ziti. I topped with your gooey cheese recipe. It was delicious. I’ve used other “cheese” recipes, but they always have a “taste” that isn’t horrible, but isn’t great. Neither of these recipes has that distinct taste I will make both recipes again. Thanks for sharing them.
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed them both, Pam 🙂
Byron says
Hi Sam,
Fantastic ricotta. I was never that big on dairy ricotta before I went vegan. I was eating this, on the other hand, by the spoonful. Worked well in (of course) lasagna. Omni partner, who otherwise isn't a fan of nut-based cheeses, liked this.
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! So happy you enjoyed, Byron 🙂
Charlene Chamberlain says
Hey Sam
Have you made this with sunflower seeds or other nuts?
Sam Turnbull says
You could use blanched almonds or macadamia nuts. Or you could try my tofu ricotta. Enjoy!
Brenda says
I changed my pre vegan lasagna recipe into vegan. I mixed the ricotta cheese with my spices for layering. It was delicious in my recipe. Thank you! I can’t wait to try it in other recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful, Brenda! So happy it turned out for you 🙂
Roxa Deaton says
I can't eat soy products at all. What may be used instead of Miso?
Really looking forward to trying this. The zucchini fritters were wonderful!
Sam Turnbull says
You could use chickpea miso or sub sauerkraut or brine from an olive jar. It would have a different taste but still yummy!
Meghan says
Has anyone tried this with a different nut than cashews? I love the cashew ricotta, but would like to expand and try other nuts.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Meghan, you could try blanched almonds or my tofu ricotta recipe. Enjoy!
Jean says
Made this last night to put in your lasagna recipe (which was amazing) however I will agree this adds far too much of a lemony taste. It was still great but it is through the whole dish. Next time I’ll leave out the zest and cut the juice in half. Would I substitute anything for the acid? By the way just got your book, have made numerous things already and sincerely it’s anazjng
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Jean, you can adjust the lemon to taste or use apple cider vinegar in its place. Hope that helps. Glad you're enjoying the recipes 🙂
Rita says
I read the comments first before making it. Based on Christine's comment, I used less lemon and that worked well. If I used the amount in the recipe, I think it would have been too much lemon for my taste. My friends couldn't believe it was vegan.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed it, Rita 🙂
Shannon says
Sorry if this has already been answered somewhere else, but does this freeze well?
Sam Turnbull says
This will freeze just fine. Enjoy!
Mare says
Does this recipe really need the miso? I have to be grain free.
Sam Turnbull says
The miso adds a nice umami flavour. You could skip it if you like, but you might want to amp up some of the other flavours. Enjoy!
Michelle says
When I am out of miso, and don't want to run to the store, I use gluten-free tamari in place of the miso (I'm not GF, I just use GF tamari). I don't know if this will mess with the consistency or not, since my recipe I use this sub in is a vegan queso, but I thought this might be an option for you. Just an untested suggestion 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
I would worry about using tamari here as it's pretty dark and will add a brown colour to the ricotta...
Michelle says
I didn't think of that, it would look really gross! I can't imagine brown ricotta...yikes!
Lisa says
Can I use this ricotta in a veggie lasagna? Does it melt or should I use it on top after veggies cooked?
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely, it works great in lasagna. Enjoy!
Harleyann says
My local store only sells red miso paste, besides color will it taste the same??
Sam Turnbull says
Red miso paste is much stronger in flavour, so I would start with only a little, and add more to taste as needed. Enjoy!
Laura Ferejohn says
I have been looking a good vegan ricotta cheese recipe to use for a dessert. I'm concerned the miso and nutritional yeast might make it too savory. My family makes buckwheat pancakes and spreads sweetened ricotta and whatever fruit is in season. As I am newly vegan, I'd like to swap this for the dairy version. What do you think? P.S. I love your site!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you 🙂
I don't think it will be too savoury, as dairy based ricotta has the umami and cheesy flavours that those ingredients provide. That said, you can always make it without the miso and nutritional yeast to start, then slowly add them in until you reach your desired taste. Enjoy!
Christine says
Just made this today in the hopes of putting it on pizza later tonight. I found it to be FAR too lemony for my use. I followed the recipe as directed. Next time, I'd start with 1.5 TBSP and taste and add as needed. To fix it, I'm adding some raw cashews and almond milk to try to dilute it... the texture is great and I'm glad I got to use some more of my miso paste!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh that's too bad, I love the lemony taste. Hope you were able to adjust it to your own taste preference 🙂
Alyson says
How many batches would serve 40 people alongside your olive and sun dried tomato tapenade? Using this recipe for a school assignment. 🙂
Sam says
Hmmmm... Well I guess it would depend on how many other appetizers there are but I would say double, maybe even triple the recipe. If you have leftovers, you can use it on top of a pizza or in a pasta dish later 🙂
Alyson says
Ok thank you 🙂
Karen says
Does anyone know how long this will last in the refrigerator? (Assuming no one starts munching it.) I'm catering a large party and am doing a lot of vegan options. I'd love to make this about a week in advance.
Sam says
Hi Karen,
I would say it should last a week, but you could pop it in the freezer, just to be sure. Hope that helps 🙂
Karen says
So obviously it freezes well. Good. I'm going to have quite a spread. I'll take some pics and share them with you.
Sam says
Yay! I look forward to it 🙂
Keisti says
Hi Sam! I'm making this for your kale cashew ricotta pasta bake tonight. I ran out of raw cashews so I have just under one cup raw and just over half a cup roasted salted cashews soaking right now. Do you think it will work or will the flavor be off because of the roasted ones? I'm blowing through raw cashews...never thought that would happen. Haha!
Sam says
Hahaha! I know the feeling, going vegan = requiring never ending supply of cashews! Yes I think the roasted cashews will be fine. You might need to cut back in the salt, and they might be a bit more of a pain to blend, so make sure to really soften them first. Enjoy!
Livvey says
I'm not sure I can get hold of white miso - can I use a smaller amount of "standard" miso or sub it out with something else? Thanks!
Sam says
Hi Livvey!
I'm not sure what you mean by standard miso, but whatever kind you have should work just fine. The flavour and colour may vary but I bet any miso would taste great. Here is an article on the different types of miso so you can determine what kind you have: http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/article/know-your-miso hope that helps! 😀
Livvey says
My miso doesn't tell me what type it is D: it's dark brown so I think it's most similar to red miso. As long as the general taste, etc, is the same I'm sure it'll be great :). Thank you!
Sam says
I'm sure it will be great too! No problem 🙂
Irene Helmich says
Could you use another kind of nut? Legume?
Sam says
Welcome Irene!
I think macadamia nuts would probably work well too. If you try it, let us know how it turns out 😀
Liz says
I've made this twice..... Twice it was gobbled up (by both vegans and omnivores)
It's a new quick go to. More interesting than hummus and a great thing for a party! Thanks!!
Samantha Turnbull says
Aww that's great!! Thanks for sharing Liz!! These kind of comments make my day. 🙂
Debbie says
Looking forward to giving this a try. My daughter can't eat dairy so fingers crossed that she loves this!
Samantha Turnbull says
Oh great! I'm glad you found the recipe Debbie. I hope your daughter likes this recipe 🙂
vegantarian lifestyle says
This looks totally great. I just looove cashews 🙂
best, Lou
http://vegantarianlifestyle.com
Samantha Turnbull says
Thanks Lou! I love cashews too! They are like a wonder nut! haha
Christina Lee says
Can I skip the nutritional yeast?
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, but it provides a lot of the cheesy taste so it might not taste as delicious.
amanda says
yum!
Samantha Turnbull says
It totally is yum.
Cheryl says
YUM. I am envisioning cashew-ricotta ravioli.. dear God!
Samantha Turnbull says
Um, yum!!!! Why am I not eating that right this second??
Meredith @ Unexpectedly Magnificent says
Cashews are the bomb. My favorite way to utilize them is in vegan mac and cheeze. Soooo goooood!!!
Samantha Turnbull says
Haha! They really are. Dates are pretty impressive too! And I love Mac and cheese cashew sauce!
Anonymous says
please give me a good cashew mac and cheese recipe. have not ever found one I like.
Samantha Turnbull says
No problem, here you go: https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/2014/02/19/vegan-mac-and-cheese-gluten-free-and-oil-free/ 🙂