Trader Joe’s Thai Lime & Chili Cashews
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for 2026.
Cashews are one of my favorite snacks. Maybe I inherited my appreciation for cashews from my late grandfather, who loved them so much we sometimes included them in his Christmas gifts. While we typically lump cashews in with other nuts such as peanuts, they are actually seeds. They’re a good source of protein, fiber, healthy unsaturated fat, and other minerals and nutrients.
Something else I enjoy when I can get it is Thai food. I have a longtime friend — the mother of one of my children’s former school classmates — who moved to the U.S. from Thailand and sometimes makes her special green curry for a small group of some of us moms. It’s spicy and savory and memorable.
Trader Joe’s, which is a cousin to Aldi, sells a mashup of these favorites of mine: Thai lime and chili cashews. They’re whole cashews coated with a spice and seasoning mix that includes Thai lime leaves and tom yum seasoning, which are staples of Thai cuisine. These TJ’s cashews are a product of Thailand.
Trader Joe’s Thai Lime & Chili Cashews cost $8.49 for a 16-ounce package in 2026, which comes out to about 53 cents per ounce. That’s up from $7.99 when we first reviewed these in 2024.
The package states:
The legendary heat associated with Thai food is often accompanied by the distinctive flavor of the leaves of the Thai Lime tree. This specific, light citrus-y flavor cannot easily be duplicated with any other citrus. The juice can also be used, although this cashew product, made for us in Thailand, uses only the flavor from these very special leaves.
We have combined the Thai lime with piquant chilis to create an authentically Thai flavored treat. Enjoy these delicious nuts as a satisfying snack, or coarsely chopped to top salads or Asian flavored rice dishes. Keep something to drink nearby!
Ingredients and Nutrition Facts:
If you’re looking out for allergens, these naturally contain cashews. They may contain milk, almond, Brazil nut, coconut, hazelnut, macadamia nut, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, and walnut.
The full ingredients list is cashews, Kaffir lime leaf, rice bran oil, tom yum seasoning (maltodextrin, sugar, salt, yeast extract, citric acid [acidulant], garlic powder, chili powder, silicon dioxide [anti-caking], ground white pepper, natural flavor, paprika oleoresin), chili powder, and salt.
One package contains about 15 1/4-cup servings. One serving has 180 calories, 14 grams of total fat (18% DV), 2.5 grams of saturated fat (13% DV), 65 mg of sodium (3% DV), 9 grams of total carbohydrates (3% DV), 2 grams of dietary fiber (7% DV), 2 grams of total sugars, no added sugars, and 6 grams of protein.
How They Taste:
These cashews definitely have heat. They’re on the upper end of medium in terms of spicy, and I keep a glass of water nearby when I eat these, but they’re so good. The sour/tangy/sweet flavor of the Thai lime leaves is noticeable through the heat, and it’s the same flavor I taste when I eat my friend’s green curry. (My friend uses lime leaves from her own small potted tree she keeps in front of a sunny window.) The combination of crunchy cashews and seasoning is uniquely delicious, and lately I’ve found myself picking up a bag of these cashews whenever I happen to be at Trader Joe’s.
The Verdict:
Trader Joe’s Thai Lime & Chili Cashews feature seasoning made with the leaves of the Thai lime tree, which gives them a distinct flavor. These cashews are on the higher end of the medium spicy range, so make sure you have something to drink when you enjoy these. If you like cashews and if you like Thai food, these are definitely worth dropping in your shopping cart at Trader Joe’s.
