When I make a Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing copycat recipe, I don’t mess around. When it comes to anything related to Trader Joe’s, I really don’t mess around.
This dressing is addictive, and the ingredients list is full of things to love. It’s wholesome, flavorful and packed with my favorite things. The one downside? It’s got a price tag of nearly $4 and it goes bad in your fridge…quick.
So that’s why I created a copycat recipe. Not just for us Trader Joe’s devotees, but also for those without a Trader Joe’s near them who want to try it out. This recipe looks the same, tastes the same and takes 2 minutes of your time. It uses simple ingredients and is a great recipe to have in your back pocket when you need a quick and easy (and spicy) salad dressing.
Table of contents
- So what is in the Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing?
- Why I’ve opted not to use cashew butter in this Trader Joe’s copycat recipe
- The secret trick to this Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing copycat recipe
- How to store this spicy cashew butter salad dressing
- What recipes can you use this on?
So what is in the Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing?
I did a quick look at the ingredients list of this Trader Joe’s item, and as you can see from my V blurry photo, it had all your usual suspects.
The ingredients breakdown was: water, cashew butter, lime juice, ginger puree, organic coconut aminos, cilantro, red chili paste, maple syrup, sea salt, xantham gum and crushed red pepper.
All of this seemed more than manageable, with a few adjustments to make the ingredients more approachable. My recipe uses a few ingredient swaps that are easier to find in grocery stores, but other than that it was all about find the right ratios to make the perfect, creamy salad dressing.
Why I’ve opted not to use cashew butter in this Trader Joe’s copycat recipe
I know Trader Joe’s uses cashew butter in their version, but I opted to use cashews in this recipe. This is because of cost and practicality.
I don’t want you running out and buying a whole bunch of cashew butter just to use 2 tbsp. It’s not practical. So for this, buy a bunch of cashews, store what you won’t use in your freezer (always store your nuts in your freezer!) and use just a bit for this recipe.
The secret trick to this Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing copycat recipe
The one thing to remember when you make this dressing – is make sure to use boiling water.
I’ve never been a fan of soaking my cashews. I know so many recipes call for it, but it just seems like an unnecessary extra step. To avoid that in this recipe, we use boiling water to combine all our ingredients, and after it rests for two minutes, any blender will be able to handle it.
This is a small-batch recipe so I recommend using a small blender, but really you can use anything!
How to store this spicy cashew butter salad dressing
The best way to store this dressing is in an air-tight container in the fridge. It will last for 7-10 days. I recommend storing this dressing either in tupperware or in mason jars, although I’ve found mason jars work best.
What recipes can you use this on?
Here are just a few suggestions:
And that’s it for this Trader Joe’s recreation recipe (feel free to check out more of my Trader Joe’s copycats here!)
If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.
And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3
Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup raw cashews
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek or sriracha
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 2/3 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Either on the stove in in the microwave, bring your water to a boil. In the microwave this should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss the rest of the ingredients in a small blender.
- Pour the boiling water over the ingredients and let it sit for 2-5 minutes or until the water has cooled to about room temperature.
- Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Adjust the sweetness and salt to taste using maple syrup and soy sauce, and use whenever!
- Store in an air-tight container or jar in the fridge. This dressing will last for 7-10 days.
