Cashew Nuts Stir Fried Recipe

Prepare ingredients

Measure out all ingredients. Thinly slice the garlic and chilies, julienne or grate the ginger, and thinly slice the scallions. Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl and stir to dissolve the honey; set aside.

Toast cashews

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and the raw cashews in a single layer. Toast, stirring or shaking the pan frequently, until the cashews are golden brown and fragrant, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer toasted cashews to a plate and set aside. Keep the pan at medium heat.

Aromatics

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the same skillet. Once the butter melts and begins to sizzle, add sliced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chilies (if using). Stir constantly for 30–45 seconds until aromatic and garlic is just beginning to color — do not burn.

Deglaze and season

Pour the soy sauce–vinegar–honey mixture into the pan and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce bubble gently for 20–30 seconds so it slightly reduces and flavors concentrate.

Combine cashews

Return the toasted cashews to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce and aromatics. Stir for 1–2 minutes so the cashews absorb flavor and the sauce lightly glazes them. If the pan looks dry, add a splash (about 1 tsp) of water to loosen the sauce.

Finish

Remove the pan from heat. Stir in freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. Add toasted sesame oil and toss. Fold in most of the sliced scallions, reserving a small amount for garnish.

Serve

Transfer the glazed cashews to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds (if using) and the remaining scallions. Serve warm or at room temperature with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the nuts.

Storage and reheating

Store cooled cashews in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To re-crisp briefly, warm in a skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.