The Best Vegan Cashew Queso Recipe - Quick & Tasty! (2024)

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With just 7 ingredients, this easy Vegan Cashew Queso will satisfy all of your queso cravings! Serve with a side of corn chips for the perfect vegan, gluten-free party snack!

The Best Vegan Cashew Queso Recipe - Quick & Tasty! (1)

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This vegan queso recipe is for all of us daydreaming about the unlimited queso and chips at our favorite TexMex restaurant.

Thanks to cashews and nutritional yeast, this plant-based queso style dip truly does the trick to satisfy that craving! It’s creamy, cheesy and 100% addictive!

If you’re new to vegan “cheese”, raw cashews are a common substitute, as their creamy texture combines with nutritional yeast to provide the perfect cheesy texture and flavor.

It sounds a little crazy but it absolutely works!

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This easy vegan queso comes together super quickly, with just 7 ingredients plus chips to dip and optional jalapenos for presentation.

The cashews need to soak for at least an hour (preferably – but you can get away with a quick soak in boiling water) which allows them to soften, but beyond that, this entire recipe comes together in just a few minutes.

I made this dairy-free queso dip for a group of friends recently and it literally disappeared within minutes, I had to get in quick to try some myself!

This is definitely going to become my go-to appetizer for any and all parties and tailgating, as no one (me included!) can get enough of it.

It also works perfectly on nachos, in tacos (try it with one of these vegan meat crumbles!), or in burritos.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Vegan Queso Recipe

  • That same addictive, creamy texture of your favorite queso
  • Can be used as a dip for EVERYTHING
  • Always a party hit
  • Perfect for tailgating
  • Just a handful of ingredients and super quick to prepare!

Cashew Queso Recipe Ingredients

  • Raw cashews
  • Olive oil
  • Almond milk
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Salt
  • Cornstarch
  • Smoked paprika
  • Sundried tomato
  • Green jalapeno – for garnish
  • Corn chips – for dipping
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How To Make The Best Vegan Queso

Soak cashews for 1 hour in boiling water.

Place soaked cashews, 1 cup almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt, smoked paprika and sundried tomatoes in a high-speed food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.

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Place olive oil and cornstarch in a non-stick skillet and stir to combine. Then add the cashew mixture to the skillet.

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Cook the vegan cashew queso for a few minutes until it’s well combined. Be sure to stir continuously so that it doesn’t burn.

The result should be like a soft cashew cheese.

If it gets too hard it just means it’s been overcooked a little. If this happens, you can add a little more almond milk and it should come right again.

Serve warm with a few slices of jalapeño on top and corn chips on the side.

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Tips for the Best Plant Based Queso Dip

  • If you accidentally overcook the cashews, just add a little more almond milk.
  • You can also keep this vegan queso dip warm in a crockpot

Vegan Cashew Queso Serving Suggestions

This vegan cashew queso is so versatile!

The simplest option is to use it as a dip for corn chips. You can also serve it up with fresh veggies, pretzels (soft pretzels would be SO good with this!) and basically anything else that’s dippable.

You can also make some delicious vegan nachos with this sauce! Or use it as a topping for all things TexMex.

You can even use it as a pasta cheese sauce or to dip fries in – trust me, it goes with everything!

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Vegan Queso Dip Variations

  • If you’re a fan of the dip made with Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes, just mix in a can of diced tomatoes.
  • For some spice, stir in extra jalapenos or a splash of hot sauce.

How to Store Cashew Queso

You can store your dairy-free cashew queso in the fridge for 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. If it becomes too thick when reheating, just add in a tablespoon or so of almond milk.

Enjoy These Other Vegan Snacks

  • Vegan Buffalo Dip
  • Vegan Cauliflower Nuggets
  • Vegan Breaded Mushrooms

Vegan Cashew Queso Recipe

Mandy Applegate

A deliciously cheesy, creamy, vegan cashew queso recipe that just takes minutes to prepare.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Recipes

Cuisine Snacks

Servings 1 bowl

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 + 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • Jalapeno for garnish

Instructions

  • Soak cashews for 1 hour in boiling water.

  • Place soaked cashews, 1 cup almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt, smoked paprika and sundried tomatoes in a high-speed food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.

  • Place olive oil and cornstarch in a non-stick saucepan and stir to combine. Then add the cashew mixture to the saucepan.

  • Cook the vegan cashew queso for a few minutes until it’s well combined. Be sure to stir continuously so that it doesn’t burn. The result should be like soft cashew cheese.

  • If it gets too hard it just means it’s been overcooked a little. If this happens, you can add a little more almond milk and it should come right again.

  • Serve warm with a few slices of jalapeño on top and corn chips on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 102mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

The Best Vegan Cashew Queso Recipe - Quick & Tasty! (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I use roasted cashews instead of raw? ›

RAW AND ROASTED CASHEW NUTS

The number of nutrients and calories will only be altered if roasted cashews are seasoned with ingredients such as salt or honey. Some nutritionists argue that raw cashews are slightly better because they are unmodified and retain all their initial minerals and nutrients.

What is vegan queso made of? ›

Creamy vegan queso made with cashews, sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast, green chilis and a blend of spices. Drizzle it on your favorite dish or serve it as a dip with tortilla chips!

Is credo cashew queso good? ›

Highly recommend this whether you're a vegan, just trying to eat healthy or looking for an option, besides overly processed food. It's a family now and we've ordered it at least five times. At last! Something tasty enough to make cauliflower cheese!

What is a substitute for cashews in vegan cheese? ›

Substitute for cashews: cashews are my preference as they are creamy and mild in flavor, but if you need to substitute them you can use macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or raw sunflower seeds. All of these nuts and seeds will need to be boiled for about 15 minutes to ensure they have softened.

What happens if you eat a lot of roasted cashews? ›

High in calories: Cashews are high in calories. There is a higher likelihood of eating them in excess because they are delicious. This can cause problems such as obesity, high blood lipids, and sugar levels.

Why can't you eat raw cashews? ›

Cashews contain a natural toxin called urushiol in their raw, unprocessed state. The toxin is found around the cashew shell and can leach out onto the exterior of the nut itself.

Is Velveeta real cheese vegan? ›

A: Velveeta is a processed cheese which is not vegan. It's made with milk and whey, both come from cows. A great alternative is this vegan nacho cheese.

What are three dominant ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

As vegan blog Wag Free Food notes, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut cream are popular ingredients to make vegan cheese. The high-fat content of coconut makes it easier to create a creamy, decadent, cheese-like product.

Is vegan queso healthy? ›

Like regular cheese, vegan cheese can be part of a healthy diet when used in moderation — but it's best to avoid highly processed options. However, not all vegan cheeses are created equally. Some versions are highly processed and have less nutritional value than others.

What are the ingredients in credo cashew queso? ›

Water, Organic Tomatoes, Organic Great Northern Beans, Green Chile Peppers (water, Sea Salt, Citric Acid), Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Cashews, Organic Carrots, Organic Onions, Organic Lemon Juice, Pepperoncini Peppers (vinegar, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Turmeric, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid), Nutritional Yeast, ...

How healthy is cashew cheese? ›

Aside from being super delicious, plant-based cashew cheese is rich with Vitamin B, Calcium, Protein and Fiber. It has more vitamins and minerals than dairy. Unlike animal cheese, it does not have saturated fats which increase cholesterol and your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Does cashew cheese taste like cheese? ›

Cashew cheese tastes a bit nutty and salty. The cheesiness typically comes from the addition of nutritional yeast. Most homemade cashew cheese has a spreadable consistency similar to hummus or ricotta, which means it's excellent as a sauce or dip—but you can't really use it in place of mozzarella or cheddar.

Is vegan cashew cheese healthy? ›

The cashew-based cheese alternatives were the most likely products to be low in sodium (Table 1). Over 80% of the cheese alternatives were low in calories, while only 2% were high in fat.

Why do vegans soak cashews? ›

Raw unsalted cashews are what most recipes use. They produce the creamiest and smoothest texture when soaked. They also have an ideal neutral flavor that is perfect in recipes such as vegan ranch dip and cashew mayo.

Does vegan cashew cheese melt? ›

A resounding yes, it sure does, not all of it, but vegan cheese does melt and melt well. Just like non-vegan cheese, there will be some that aren't created to melt, nor do it well, it's just the same. Make sure to cook vegan cheeses on a lower heat than you would normally and keep an eye on them.

Can I use roasted cashews? ›

When it comes to nutrition, both raw cashews and roasted cashews are excellent choices; the ways that the two types of cashews are processed do not change the other nutritional properties of the cashews. Both types are rich in nutrients, and both have the potential to be low in sugar, depending on how they are roasted.

What's the difference between raw cashews and roasted cashews? ›

Cashews are prepared for consumption in one of two ways: raw and roasted. The phrase “raw cashew” is misleading, as all cashews fit for consumption have been roasted once to remove both the cashew shell and the shell's harmful oils. Roasted cashews are roasted a second time to alter or enhance the cashews' flavor.

Does roasting cashews destroy nutrients? ›

The Bottom Line. Both raw and roasted nuts are good for you and provide health benefits. Both varieties contain similar amounts of calories, protein, carbs and fiber. However, roasting nuts may damage their healthy fat, reduce their nutrient content and lead to the formation of a harmful substance called acrylamide.

Can you cook with roasted cashews? ›

And of course, a nut mix wouldn't be complete without them! Roasted cashews are delicious on salads, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, oatmeal, and in baked goods. Or, add them to snacks like Homemade Chex Mix or Puppy Chow. Like other nuts, roasting enhances the flavor and aroma of cashews.

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