Nuts & seeds · Tree nuts

Cashews

Sweet, buttery, kidney-shaped nuts; eaten roasted and blended into creamy curries, sauces and desserts.

Also called: cashew nuts, kaju, kaju fıstığı, cashew

A kind of nuts

What it is

Cashews are curved, cream-coloured nuts that grow at the bottom of the cashew apple. They are always sold shelled and heat-treated because the shell contains a caustic, irritating oil; 'raw' cashews are simply unroasted. They are softer, sweeter and creamier than almonds, which makes them ideal for blending.

Anacardium occidentale

How it’s used

Soaked and blended into korma, shahi paneer and vegan cream sauces
Fried in ghee for biryani, pulao and kheer
Stir-fried with chicken in Thai and Chinese dishes
Made into kaju katli and other sweets

Characteristics

Taste: Sweet, mild and buttery.
Texture: Crisp but softer than most nuts; blends very smooth.
When cooked: Soak for 15–30 minutes in hot water before blending for a silky paste.
Sold as: whole, chopped, paste
Cooking uses: Usually eaten raw, Suitable for frying, Used for thickening, Used as a garnish
Common in: Indian, Punjabi, South Indian, Goan, Thai, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Brazilian

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Keep airtight in a cool, dark place, or the fridge and freezer for longer storage.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Tree nuts.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Tree nuts are a major allergen; an allergy to one nut does not rule out others, and nuts are often packed on shared lines, so check 'may contain' warnings.
Cashews are related to pistachios, and people allergic to one often react to the other.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy: 553 kcal
Protein: 18.22 g
Carbohydrate: 30.19 g
Fat: 43.85 g
Fibre: 3.3 g
Sugars: 5.91 g

USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, cashew nuts, raw.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Almonds — Blanched almonds, soaked longer; less creamy.
Sunflower seeds — Nut-free creamy sauces; slightly greener flavour.

Related ingredients

Recipes with cashews

See all 19

Butter chicken
Punjabi · 2 h 5 min · 559 kcal
Chana madra
Indian · 1 h 10 min · 348 kcal · Vegetarian
Chicken korma
Indian · 1 h 10 min · 440 kcal
Chicken rezala
Bangladeshi · 1 h 45 min · 662 kcal
Dehrori (Chhattisgarhi rice fritters in syrup)
Indian · 1 h 55 min · 451 kcal · Vegetarian
Dry fruit paratha
Indian · 1 h 9 min · 392 kcal · Vegetarian
Gajar ka halwa
Punjabi · 1 h 35 min · 396 kcal · Vegetarian
Hyderabadi marag
Indian · 1 h 25 min · 213 kcal
Kerala plum cake (alcohol-free)
Indian · 12 h 45 min · 252 kcal · Contains egg
Makhani gravy
Punjabi · 1 h 5 min · 225 kcal · Vegetarian
Malai kofta
Indian · 1 h 10 min · 547 kcal · Vegetarian
Pandhra rassa
Indian · 1 h 20 min · 169 kcal