How To Make Mayonnaise With Cashew Nuts

You can make mayonnaise with cashew nuts by soaking raw cashews until soft, blending them with water, oil, acid, and salt until smooth and creamy, and using the mixture anywhere you’d use traditional mayo.
 
It’s a simple plant-based swap that tastes surprisingly close to the real thing, and it comes together in about ten minutes once your nuts are ready.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make mayonnaise with cashew nuts without eggs, dairy, or a whisk that never stops, this method is about to become your new best friend.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why cashew nuts make such a great mayonnaise base, the exact steps for making it, and the tips that keep your batch smooth instead of gritty.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why Cashew Nuts Make Great Mayonnaise

Cashew nuts make excellent mayonnaise, and here’s why:
 

1. They Blend Into a Silky Smooth Texture

Cashew nuts are naturally soft and starchy, so once soaked, they blend into a texture that mimics the creaminess of egg-based mayo.
 
Unlike almonds or walnuts, cashew nuts don’t leave behind a gritty residue when you blend them long enough.
 
That’s the whole secret behind how to make mayonnaise with cashew nuts that actually feels like mayonnaise.
 

2. They Have a Mild, Neutral Flavor

Cashew nuts taste slightly sweet and buttery, but they’re mild enough to take on whatever you season them with.
 
That neutrality is why cashew nuts work so well in a mayonnaise recipe, the tang from lemon juice and the savoriness from salt and mustard do all the flavor work.
 

3. They Bring Natural Emulsifying Power

Traditional mayo relies on egg yolks to hold oil and water together.
 
Cashew nuts contain starches and proteins that help stabilize the mixture when you blend it, so your mayonnaise with cashew nuts stays thick instead of separating.
 
That’s why you can make mayonnaise with cashew nuts using just a blender and a little patience.
 

How to Make Mayonnaise with Cashew Nuts: Step by Step

Here’s the simple process for how to make mayonnaise with cashew nuts at home:
 

1. Soak the Cashew Nuts

Start by soaking one cup of raw cashew nuts in hot water for about 30 minutes, or in cool water overnight.
 
Soaking softens the cashew nuts so they blend into a perfectly smooth mayonnaise base.
 
If you’re in a hurry, boil them for 10 to 15 minutes instead.
 

2. Blend the Base

Drain the cashew nuts and add them to a high-speed blender with a quarter cup of fresh water, one tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, half a teaspoon of salt, and a small spoon of Dijon mustard.
 
Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
 
This step is where your mayonnaise with cashew nuts starts to take shape.
 

3. Stream in the Oil

With the blender running on low, slowly drizzle in half a cup of neutral oil like avocado or sunflower oil.
 
Pouring slowly is the trick to making mayonnaise with cashew nuts that turns out thick and glossy rather than runny.
 

4. Taste and Adjust

Give your cashew nuts mayonnaise a taste and tweak it to your liking.
 
Add more lemon juice for tang, a pinch more salt for depth, or a splash of water if it’s too thick.
 

5. Chill Before Serving

Transfer your mayonnaise to a jar and refrigerate it for at least an hour so the flavors settle.
 
It keeps in the fridge for about a week, which makes it worth making a bigger batch of mayonnaise with cashew nuts each time.
 

Tips for the Best Cashew Nut Mayonnaise

A few small details make a big difference when you make mayonnaise with cashew nuts:
 

1. Use Raw, Unsalted Cashew Nuts

Roasted or salted cashew nuts will throw off the flavor and texture of your mayonnaise.
 
Always reach for raw, unsalted cashew nuts for the cleanest result.
 

2. Soak Long Enough

Skip the soaking and your cashew nuts mayonnaise will turn out gritty, no matter how long you blend.
 
Soft cashew nuts are the foundation of a smooth batch every single time.
 

3. Invest in a High-Speed Blender

A powerful blender turns cashew nuts into velvet in under a minute.
 
If your blender is on the weaker side, blend longer and add water one teaspoon at a time.
 

4. Don’t Rush the Oil

Drizzling the oil too fast can break your emulsion, so take your time when making mayonnaise with cashew nuts.
 

So, How Do You Make Mayonnaise with Cashew Nuts?

You make mayonnaise with cashew nuts by soaking raw cashew nuts until soft, blending them with water, lemon juice, salt, and mustard, then streaming in oil until thick and creamy.
 
It’s an easy, egg-free way to enjoy mayonnaise made from cashew nuts whenever a recipe calls for it.
 
Whether you’re vegan, allergic to eggs, or simply curious, this cashew nuts mayonnaise is worth every minute.
 
Once you learn how to make mayonnaise with cashew nuts, you’ll never look at a jar of store-bought mayo the same way again.