🥜 Nuts & Seeds

Raw vs Roasted Cashew Substitutes: Complete Guide

Learn the differences between raw and roasted cashew substitutes and when to use each. Find the best alternatives for both raw and roasted cashews in any recipe.

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Quick Answer

Raw cashews are best for creamy applications like vegan cheese and sauces, while roasted cashews work better for snacking and cooking. You can substitute roasted cashews for raw using a 1:1 ratio, but expect a stronger, more intense flavor.

Best Substitutes

Raw Almonds

1:1

Raw almonds are the best substitute for raw cashews. They have a similar mild flavor and work well in creamy applications and vegan cooking.

Best for:

vegan cheesecreamy saucesraw recipeswhen you want mild flavorvegan mac and cheese

Raw almonds provide the closest match to raw cashews in both flavor and texture. They work particularly well in creamy applications and vegan cooking.

Roasted Almonds

1:1

Roasted almonds are a good substitute for roasted cashews. They have a more intense flavor and work well in cooking and snacking applications.

Best for:

snackingcookingbakingwhen you want intense flavortrail mix

Roasted almonds have a more pronounced flavor than raw almonds and work well as a substitute for roasted cashews. They add nice crunch and flavor to dishes.

Raw Macadamia Nuts

1:1

Raw macadamia nuts are the closest substitute for raw cashews. They have a similar creamy texture and mild, buttery flavor.

Best for:

vegan cheesecreamy saucesraw recipeswhen you want closest matchvegan desserts

Raw macadamia nuts are the most similar to raw cashews in both texture and flavor. They're perfect when you want the closest possible substitute.

Roasted Macadamia Nuts

1:1

Roasted macadamia nuts are an excellent substitute for roasted cashews. They have a rich, buttery flavor and work well in cooking and snacking.

Best for:

snackingcookingbakingwhen you want rich flavordesserts

Roasted macadamia nuts provide excellent flavor and texture as a substitute for roasted cashews. They're perfect for cooking and snacking applications.

Raw Walnuts

1:1

Raw walnuts can substitute for raw cashews but have a more pronounced, slightly bitter flavor. They work well in certain applications.

Best for:

raw recipeswhen you want stronger flavorcertain vegan applications

Raw walnuts have a more pronounced flavor than raw cashews and are slightly more bitter. They work well in recipes where you want a stronger nut presence.

Roasted Walnuts

1:1

Roasted walnuts are a good substitute for roasted cashews. They have a rich, earthy flavor and work well in cooking and baking.

Best for:

cookingbakingsnackingwhen you want rich flavortrail mix

Roasted walnuts have a rich, earthy flavor that works well as a substitute for roasted cashews. They add nice depth to dishes.

Raw Pine Nuts

1:1

Raw pine nuts are an excellent substitute for raw cashews. They have a mild, buttery flavor and work well in creamy applications.

Best for:

vegan cheesecreamy saucesraw recipeswhen you want buttery flavorpesto

Raw pine nuts provide a mild, buttery flavor similar to raw cashews. They work particularly well in creamy applications and pesto.

Roasted Pine Nuts

1:1

Roasted pine nuts are a good substitute for roasted cashews. They have a more intense, nutty flavor and work well in cooking and baking.

Best for:

cookingbakingsnackingwhen you want intense flavorpesto

Roasted pine nuts have a more intense flavor than raw pine nuts and work well as a substitute for roasted cashews. They add nice crunch and flavor.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Raw nuts are best for creamy applications like vegan cheese and sauces
  • 💡Roasted nuts work better for snacking and cooking applications
  • 💡You can substitute roasted cashews for raw, but expect stronger flavor
  • 💡For best results, soak raw nuts before using in creamy applications
  • 💡Toasted nuts provide better flavor than raw nuts in most recipes
  • 💡When substituting, consider the flavor intensity you want in your dish

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute roasted cashews for raw cashews?

Yes, you can substitute roasted cashews for raw cashews using a 1:1 ratio. However, roasted cashews have a stronger, more intense flavor and may not work as well in creamy applications like vegan cheese.

What's the best substitute for raw cashews in vegan cheese?

Raw almonds and raw macadamia nuts are the best substitutes for raw cashews in vegan cheese. They have a similar mild flavor and creamy texture when blended. Soak them overnight for best results.

Can I use roasted cashews instead of raw in recipes?

Yes, you can use roasted cashews instead of raw in most recipes. However, roasted cashews have a stronger flavor and may not work as well in creamy applications. Consider the flavor profile you want in your dish.

What's the difference between raw and roasted cashew substitutes?

Raw cashew substitutes have a milder flavor and work better in creamy applications, while roasted cashew substitutes have a more intense, nutty flavor and work better in cooking and snacking applications.

Can I substitute raw nuts for roasted cashews?

Yes, you can substitute raw nuts for roasted cashews, but you may need to toast them first to get a similar flavor profile. Raw nuts have a milder flavor than roasted cashews.