In the world of plant-based delights, this easy Vegan Queso recipe stands out as a flavorful creamy, and dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese dips. If you are looking for other delicious dairy-free dips you might also love my Vegan Buffalo “Chicken” Dip.
Let’s dive into crafting a scrumptious batch that’ll leave your taste buds dancing. If you’re interested in more homemade plant-based cheese recipes, feel free to explore my complete vegan cheese recipe collection here.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1 cup unsalted cashews
- ¾ cup hot water
- 1-2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (e.g., Valentina)
Optional Extras:
- ½ tsp cumin
- Dash of turmeric for a vibrant color
- Sliced hot chilis for garnish
- 1 diced tomato or ¼ cup rotel to stir in
Helpful Tools For Making This Vegan Queso
To ensure a smooth process, a high-powered blender or food processor is essential for achieving the desired creamy consistency of your Vegan Queso.
How To Make This Easy Vegan Queso Recipe
Soaking Cashews: Begin by soaking 1 cup of unsalted cashews in boiling water for 10 minutes, ensuring optimal consistency for the queso.
Blending the Goodness: In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine soaked cashews, hot water, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, chili powder, and salt.
Blend until the queso reaches a smooth and creamy texture. Add cumin and turmeric if desired, adjusting the consistency with an additional ¼ cup of hot water.
Flavorful Finishes: Stir in your preferred hot sauce to taste, and for an extra kick, incorporate chopped tomatoes or rotel.
Serve and Enjoy! Your Vegan Queso is ready to be savored – a delectable treat for any occasion.
Tips & Tricks
- Achieving Creamy Consistency: For an extra creamy vegan queso texture, blend the ingredients longer and consider adding more hot water gradually until reaching the desired consistency.
FAQs
Yes, the Vegan Queso recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, always check specific product labels to ensure they meet dietary preferences.
Store your Vegan Queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, consider freezing it in suitable portions.
Certainly! Experiment with additional herbs, spices, or even a splash of lime juice to tailor the flavor to your liking.
For an extra kick, increase the quantity of hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to enhance the spiciness according to your taste preferences.
Vegan Queso Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted cashews
- ¾ cup hot water
- 1-2 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (I used Valentina)
Optional Extras
- ½ tsp cumin
- dash of turmeric if you want a brighter orange colour
- sliced hot chilis for garnish
- 1 diced tomato, or ¼ cup rotel to stir in
Instructions
- Soak cashews in boiling water for 10 minutes then drain for the best consistency.
- To a high powered blender or food processor, add cashews, water, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, chili powder, and salt. (add cumin and turmeric now if adding)
- Blend on high until the queso is smooth and creamy. If you want a thinner consistency, add another ¼ cup of hot water.
- For a thinner consistency, add another ¼ cup of hot water. For a thicker consistency, heat on the stove in a saucepan on medium heat for 2-3 mins and the queso will thicken.
- Stir in your favourite hot sauce to taste, and if desired stir in some chopped tomatoes or rotel.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion: Vegan Queso Recipe
In conclusion, crafting a delectable Vegan Queso is a delightful journey into the world of plant-based flavors. This dairy-free cheese alternative promises not just a healthy choice but a burst of taste in every bite.
This vegan queso dip was so quick and easy to make the longest part for me was soaking the cashews but wow this was delicious and reminded me of the one I used to buy. And it’s dairy free which is AMAZING! 10/10
Hi Rebecca! Thank you so much for trying the vegan queso dip recipe! I’m glad you found it quick and easy to make. Soaking the cashews can take a bit of time, but the delicious result is definitely worth it! It’s wonderful to hear that it reminded you of the one you used to buy.
I made this for a friend’s birthday and was a huge hit!! Everyone loved it such a delicious and easy recipe. Thanks essy!
Thanks so much for the feedback Anna! So happy that everyone loved them
Yum this was so delicious and easy to make!
So happy you loved it! Thank you for the review!
Loved this plant based queso so delicious! Great side to my nachos and had some leftover to dip the following day
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the plant-based queso! It sounds like it made the perfect side for your nachos, and having leftovers for the next day is always a win. Thanks for trying out the recipe and sharing your experience!
Creamy and so satisfying! 5 stars
Thank you for the 5-star rating! I’m thrilled you found the dish creamy and satisfying. Your feedback means a lot.
This was really easy to make and very satisfying.
I’m glad to hear it was easy to make and satisfying! Your positive feedback is much appreciated.
So nice and creamy, mine was a little runny but put on the stove and simmered off the extra water that I added while blending and was super nice and creamy. I’m going to add these on my vegan nachos
Thank you for sharing your experience! Simmering off the extra water is a great tip for achieving that perfect creamy consistency. Enjoy your vegan nachos!
Delicious recipe probably one of the best plant based queso recipes I have personally come across!
I’m honored to hear that! Thank you for your kind words about the recipe!
Really great recipe thanks
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Really nice vegan cheese dip absolutely LOVED IT!
Thank you SO much Lacie!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
I made this for some friends this weekend and was a HUGE hit with everyone and even the meat eaters lol so thank you for this Essy
YAY! I’m so happy to hear it! THank you so much!
When I was first making this, I thought oh no this is too runny. But then I read the notes on thickening up with the heat and worked great. The consistency came out exactly as I wanted. The flavour was on point and I actually don’t even feel like I miss dairy! That was a shock to me as I didn’t think I would find a vegan cheese online.
What a delicious plant-based cheese dip. This is exactly what I was looking for!
yayy I’m so happy this was the recipe you were looking for! THank you so much!