After lots of recipe testing, I perfected the Sweetgreen Spicy Cashew Dressing. My homemade version uses real, whole ingredients: a raw cashew dressing base, with Asian-inspired flavors like tamari, lime, fresh ginger & garlic, & sesame oil.
Copycat recipes are my specialty! I love making my favorite restaurant recipes at home that taste just like the original, and this creamy cashew dressing brings Sweetgreen flavor to any salad or grain bowl.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes soaking)
- Recipe Difficulty: Easy
- Cooking Method: Blending
- Main Ingredients: Cashews, tamari, ginger, sesame oil
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, can be made vegan
- Serves: 8-10 servings
- Calories: 101 per serving
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So good, perfect flavor balance, so quick & easy!
- kiley
This Sweetgreen dressing recipe is a fan favorite and the standout flavor on their bowls. Try it on my Sweetgreen Crispy Rice Bowl copycat!
If you're a Sweetgreen fan like I am, you'll love my Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl, plus plenty more easy copycat recipes to try next!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant Quality: Tastes exactly like the Sweetgreen Spicy Cashew Dressing.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Makes enough for a week of salads and bowls.
- Naturally Vegan & Gluten-Free: No dairy, eggs, or gluten.
- Versatile: Works as a dressing, dip, marinade, or sauce.
- Customizable: Adjust pepper flakes to match your spice preference.
- Better for You: Made with whole & healthy ingredients!
Spicy Cashew Dressing Key Ingredients
- Raw Cashews: Soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, these buttery nuts create the ultra-creamy base for your creamy cashew dressing.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Adds bright acidity to the rich cashew base; fresh juice beats bottled for flavor.
- Tamari: A wheat-free fermented soy sauce that's less salty & more flavorful.
- Fresh Ginger Root: Freshly minced ginger adds zing and flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Gives spicy cashew sauce its signature heat; adjust to taste.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds a nuttiness & enhances the Asian-inspired flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro: The fresh green herb adds a bright & herby flavor.
Substitutions & Variations
- Nut Variations & Nut-Free: Swap cashews with peanuts or almonds for a different cashew butter dressing, or use sunflower seeds/tahini for a nut-free version.
- Sweetener: Use maple syrup or agave for a vegan cashew dressing.
- Tamari: Swap with coconut aminos or liquid aminos for soy-free; regular soy sauce works too for those without gluten sensitivities.
- Fresh Ingredients: Freshly ground ginger, garlic, and lime give the best flavor for a cashew lime dressing.
- Cilantro: Substitute parsley or basil if desired.
- Spicy: Add sriracha & red pepper flakes for a hot Thai cashew dressing.
How To Make Sweetgreen Spicy Cashew Dressing
- Step 1: Place the raw cashews in a heat-safe bowl and pour boiling or very hot water over top until they're completely covered. Let them soak for 30 minutes (or overnight if you prefer). This process is essential for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Step 2: Drain the soaked cashews, then add the cashews, honey, fresh cilantro, rice vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, minced garlic & ginger, lime juice, and red pepper flakes to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend on high speed until completely smooth.
- Step 3: If the dressing is too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time (up to 2-3 tablespoons total) and blend again. Taste and adjust: add more honey for sweetness, lime juice for tang, tamari for saltiness, or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Step 4: Transfer to an airtight glass jar or container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. The dressing will thicken slightly when cold. Whisk in a splash of water to thin if needed.
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Expert Tips
- Soak Longer for Creaminess: If you have a standard blender (not a high-speed one), be sure to soak the cashews for at least 2 hours. Boiling water speeds up the softening process.
- Taste as You Blend: Pause to taste and tweak the heat, tang, or sweetness to your liking.
- Add Water Slowly: It's easy to thin a thick dressing, but harder to fix a watery one.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, & ginger make all the difference in flavor. Cilantro stems are tender and flavorful, so no need to pick every leaf.
What to Pair with This Sweetgreen Dressing!
This versatile dressing elevates any salad, bowl, or meal! It goes beautifully with the Sweetgreen Crispy Rice Bowl, drizzled over the Cucumber and Pepper Salad, Cooked Salmon Poke Bowls, or Chicken Crispy Rice Bowls. It's a great sauce for grilled chicken thighs or baked salmon, too!
Love sauce recipes? I love making homemade sauces! Try my Whipped Honey, Garlic Parmesan Sauce, Creamy Cottage Cheese Queso, my Honey Whipped Feta, or my favorite Thai Peanut Sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. However, even with a powerful blender, soaking improves the creaminess of the dressing.
Soak raw cashews, then blend them with lime juice, tamari, garlic, ginger, and seasonings until smooth to make a creamy cashew salad dressing.
Spicy cashew dressing contains soaked raw cashews, lime juice, tamari, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and optional sweeteners like honey.
Replace cashews with sunflower seeds for a similar texture. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious. You can also try tahini sauce made from ground sesame seeds!
More Copycat Recipes I Love
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📖 Recipe
Spicy Cashew Dressing Sweetgreen Copycat
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Raw Cahews soaked
- ½ Cup Fresh Cilantro
- 2 Tablespoons Honey or maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Tamari or gluten free soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves mincd
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger minced
- 1 Lime juiced
- 1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes adjust to spice preference
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in boiling water for 30 minutes (or overnight). Drain and rinse.
- Add soaked cashews, honey, cilantro, rice vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and red pepper flakes to a blender. Blend until silky smooth.
- Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dressing is pourable. Taste and tweak sweetness, tang, or heat. Pour over salads & bowls, use as a dipping sauce, & enjoy!
Notes
- Soak Longer for Creaminess: If you have a standard blender (not high-speed), soak cashews 2-4 hours or overnight for the smoothest texture. Boiling water speeds it up.
- Taste as You Blend: Pause to taste and tweak the heat, tang, or sweetness to your liking.
- Add Water Slowly: It's easy to thin a thick dressing, but harder to fix a watery one.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, & ginger make all the difference in flavor. Cilantro stems are tender and flavorful, so no need to pick every leaf.
- Storage: Store your spicy cashew sauce in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Nutrition
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Kiley says
So good, perfect flavor balance, so quick & easy!
Emmy Clinton says
I'm so glad you loved it, Kiley!