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    Urban Bliss Life » All Recipes » Appetizer Recipes » Vegan Cashew Queso Dip

    Published: January 26, 2020 / Updated: March 14, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Vegan Cashew Queso Dip

    82 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Make this vegan cashew queso dip in just about 20 minutes! It's a delicious, dairy-free party appetizer that's perfect for game day or any gathering!

    tall photo of Dairy Free Queso Dip and chips

    When I first started a dairy-free life, I discovered an amazing vegan nacho dip. It was rich and chunky and cheesy, and tasted like the real thing!

    I loved it so much and decided to make my own dairy free queso dip. After some trial and error, I came up with a couple of different recipes that I loved. So today, I'm sharing my Vegan Cashew Queso Dip recipe and hope you will all love it, too!

    Jump to:
    • 🧄 Ingredients for vegan cashew queso dip
    • ✅ Step-by-step instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs and cooking tips
    • 🍽 Serving ideas
    • More dairy free recipes + tips
    • More dairy free game day recipes
    • Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
    • PIN IT:

    🧄 Ingredients for vegan cashew queso dip

    vegan queso dip with jalapenos

    Cashews - This dairy free queso dip gets its "cheesiness" from blended cashews. Cashew cheese is a popular dairy free cheese alternative, so it's no wonder it works so well in making a cheese-like dip!

    Onions and garlic - These add a lovely base of flavor to the dip.

    Spices and seasonings - Use turmeric, paprika, cumin and chili powder to add big flavors to this dairy free queso dip.

    Nutritional yeast - Another popular ingredient used in dairy-free recipes and vegan recipes. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy, nutty flavor to any dish.

    ✅ Step-by-step instructions

    In a saucepan, begin by sautéing the onion and garlic.

    Then add the spices and stir, sautéing for just a little longer.

    cashews and spices in vitamix blender

    Next you'll blend the cashews, water, salt, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast.

    Then you'll add the sautéed mixture and blend until smooth. At this point, you can add more water and blend in increments, until you get the consistency you like.

    Pour the dairy free queso into the saucepan you used earlier, stir in the fire roasted tomatoes.

    Cook and adjust flavors according to your preference. At this point, you can add more spices, salt and pepper, a little chopped cilantro, some jalapeño... it's all up to you!

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs and cooking tips

    Do I need to soak cashews for this vegan queso dip?

    You only do if you don't have a high powered blender. In that case, you'll want to soak the cashews in water for up to four hours before you begin making this recipe.

    How do I make a creamy dairy free queso dip?

    This recipe makes a delicious chunkier queso dip, with nice texture in each bite. If you prefer a creamier queso dip, then definitely soak the cashews ahead of time. You'll also want to blend in more water, and blend for a longer period of time. And, you will get a creamier consistency with a higher quality, high powered blender.

    🍽 Serving ideas

    chip scooped up cashew cheese dip

    Pour the queso into a serving bowl and top with chopped cilantro, more tomatoes, some dairy free sour cream, jalapeño. Serve it with tortilla chips, sliced vegetables, and/or sliced sausages to dip.

    More dairy free recipes + tips

    Whether you're new to dairy-free cooking and baking, or you've been living a dairy-free lifestyle for years, we've got a lot of dairy-free recipes and tips for you!

    • Check out our favorite dairy-free products for cooking and baking.
    • Learn how to make vegan cashew cheese. Great for pastas, as a dip, and more.
    • Try one of these 60 Dairy-Free Winter Recipes for the ultimate comfort food.

    More dairy free game day recipes

    • Buffalo Chicken Bites
    • Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Loaded Nachos
    • Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

    Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

    close up of Dairy Free Queso Dip

    Vegan Cashew Queso Dip

    5 from 10 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 20 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This chunky vegan queso dip is perfect for game day or as a party appetizer for any gathering!
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 187kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Equipment

    • high-powered blender

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ onion
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 cup raw cashews if you do not have a high speed mixer, soak for up to 4 hours first and drain
    • ¼ cup water plus more, if needed
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 3 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • ½ cup fire roasted tomatoes drained
    • Optional: jalapenos cilantro, fresh tomatoes

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute, just until slightly softened. Add the paprika, turmeric, cumin, and chili powder. Stir and sauté for 1 more minute; remove from heat.
    • In a high speed blender, mix the cashews, water, salt, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast. Add the sautéed mixture of onions, garlic, and spices and blend until smooth. Add an additional tablespoon of water at a time, as needed, to make blending easier and until you get the smooth texture you desire.
    • Pour the queso into the saucepan you used earlier, stir in the fire roasted tomatoes, and cook over medium heat. Be sure to taste and adjust flavors according to your preference at this time: you can add more spices, salt and pepper, a little chopped cilantro or jalapeño.
    • Once warm, remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Top with your preferred optional toppings (I like this with chopped cilantro and a little seeded & sliced jalapeño). Serve immediately.

    Notes

    I use my high-powered Vitamix blender to blend this to the consistency that I prefer, which is not totally creamy - slightly chunky. If you do not have a high-powered blender, and you prefer a somewhat creamy texture, soak the cashews for about 4-5 hours beforehand. This will help them blend more smoothly.
    You can use more spices if you prefer, but just note that it may change the color of the queso.
    STORAGE: Store queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 428mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    PIN IT:

    main image of Dairy Free Queso Dip and chips
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Christopher Mitchell says

        January 30, 2020 at 11:09 pm

        This looks absolutely delicious, I've got to admit! I didn't know a dairy free cheese dip could even look this good!

        Reply
      2. Laura says

        January 30, 2020 at 3:32 pm

        This looks so delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I'll try it out x

        Reply
      3. Margaret says

        January 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm

        This dips looks amazing. I'd love to make it. I have every single ingredient for this recipe except for the cashews..LOL.

        Reply
      4. Chelsea Sauve - Wandure says

        January 30, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        My brother and I are HUGE queso dip fans. I will absolutely give this one a try! Bookmarking it now :)

        Reply
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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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