UPDATED: May 23, 2022

Vegan Cashew Queso

This amazing dairy-free Vegan Cashew Queso recipe is nacho mama's unhealthy restaurant dip. Made with raw cashews, nooch and other plant-based pantry staples, this veg-ified Tex-Mex staple will satisfy any cheesy craving.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
What's in This Vegan Cashew Queso?
How to Make Vegan Queso
Optional Variations and Substitutions
Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
FAQs
More Yummy Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Today I'm sharing the BEST chipotle vegan queso dip I've had. I have tried countless plant-based queso recipes in the past, and not one of them has even come close to this easy recipe. If you think I'm being biased, I'm not; I tested this cheese sauce out on my non-vegan sister and she scarfed it down faster than I could make us a marg!

This recipe is:

Easy! My vegan queso dip takes just 7 ingredients, including that Tex-Mex staple Ro*Tel.
Quick! The creamiest, dreamiest, cheesy plant-based goodness you've ever had will be ready in just 15 minutes.
Perfect for meal prep. It'll last for a solid 5 days in the fridge, or a whopping 3 months in the freezer!

Now that I'm plant-based, I've made it my mission to find vegan cheese recipes that'll satisfy your cheesy cravings. Remember my Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, Alfredo Sauce, Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce, and feta cheese?? I'm pretty sure this cashew queso recipe is one you'll love, too.

Chip with a scoop of Chipotle Vegan Queso.

What's in This Vegan Cashew Queso?

The ingredient list for my Vegan Queso is pretty darn short. Here's everything you'll need:

Raw Cashews: Nuts, you ask? Raw cashews are a vegan kitchen workhorse; once soaked, they can be blended into a creamy sauce that is an excellent substitute for dairy. I use them in everything from my Potato Soup to ranch dipping sauce for my Buffalo Quinoa Balls.
Chipotles in Adobo: As someone who loves spicy foods, I couldn't resist adding some smoky chipotles to the mix. Don't worry though - it's not crazy hot! Even my mild-loving Mom can handle this queso dip...BUT if any heat isn't your thang, feel free to skip it. If you want more heat (atta girl...or boy), feel free to step it up by adding more chipotle to the mix.
Nutritional Yeast (aka Nooch): Nooch is the absolute best way to get cheesy flavor into vegan recipes. If you're wary of buying a new ingredient, I promise this one is well worth your time. Not only do I use it in a bunch of cheese recipes on the blog, but it is also excellent sprinkled on snacks like popcorn for a burst of flavor.
Turmeric: While this is optional, I recommend adding it to the mix for that lovely yellow color. If you have omnivores coming over, this is a great way to trick them into thinking your queso is conventional. 🙂
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is far superior to the bottled stuff. To get the most juice out of your citrus, give it a firm roll on the counter for 15-20 seconds before cutting it in half.
Canned Tomatoes with Chile Peppers: Often sold under the brand name Ro*Tel, this is a staple of Tex-Mex cooking and will add tons of flavor to your queso. Opt for mild, medium or hot depending on your flavor preferences!
Salt: Seasoning is important in any dish, and this savory dip is no exception.
Water: All you need to make this delicious dairy-free sauce are 8 ingredients, one of which you can get from the tap. If this isn't an easy enough recipe for you, I'm not sure what will be!

So now that you've gathered your ingredients, let's get this party started!

overhead shot of vegan queso dip garnished with extra rotel and cilantro.

How to Make Vegan Queso

Step 1: Blend. Add all ingredients (except the canned tomatoes) into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. NOTE: If the blade is catching, add small amounts of water *just* until the blender can do its job. You want it smooth but still nice and thick.

Step 2: Warm. Transfer mixture to a saucepan or skillet. Stir in most (or all) of the tomatoes. I like keeping some of the tomatoes as a garnish on top, but that's an optional aesthetic step. Heat on low for a few minutes while constantly stirring until queso is warm.

Pro Tip: Make sure you keep stirring because I have found that cashew sauces burn or stick to the pan easily!

Step 3: Serve & Enjoy! Top with chopped cilantro and remaining tomatoes and serve with tortilla chips. Remember that sharing is caring. Enjoy!

Optional Variations and Substitutions

This simple and easy-to-make vegan queso recipe is a wonderful base for your creativity. As with most recipes on the blog, there are plenty of ways for you to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Not a tomato person? Swap in a can of diced green chiles instead.
Want more heat? Add another chipotle or some diced jalapeños to the mix, swirl in your favorite hot sauce, or opt for a "hot" version of canned tomatoes and chiles.
Like things to taste extra cheesy? Add more nooch! (Seriously, friends. You're going to want to add this stuff to everything.)
Cilantro not your jam? Leave it off, or swap in some fresh parsley instead!
Want it extra creamy? Swap in your favorite unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk for the water.
Don't have lime? Use lemon instead!

This list is in no way comprehensive, so feel free to ad lib your way to your own perfect vegan queso recipe. If you come up with a winner, let me know in the comments below or tag me on your instagram posts!

Serving Suggestions

Ahhhh, plant-based queso. How I love to eat thee! Let me count the ways:

As a dip with chips or raw veggies.
Drizzled over french fries or tater tots.
As the cheese on a batch of vegan nachos. Bonus points if you add my vegan walnut taco meat!
Tossed with pasta for a Tex-Mex version of vegan mac and cheese.
Mixed into cooked rice for cheesy rice. Serve with my vegan chicken strips for a super kid-friendly dinner!
As a vegan mornay sauce for your favorite roasted veggies.

Once you make this easy cashew queso dip, I can pretty much guarantee you're going to want to put it on everything.

Expert Tips

Making vegan queso is super easy, but I do have a few words of wisdom for you:

Invest in a high-speed blender. If you're getting down with the plant-based lifestyle, a quality blender like a Vitamix will literally change your life. From making cashew cream to blending the smoothest, silkiest soups you can imagine, they're non-negotiable.
...or soak longer. If a pricey Vitamix isn't in the budget yet (I get it! They're an investment.), give your cashews a solid 3-4 hours to soak for a creamier result.
Serve vegan queso warm. I mean, you wouldn't serve conventional queso cold, would you?

FAQs

Can I turn this into a vegan queso blanco?

Sure! Just omit the turmeric and you should be good to go.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yep! This cashew queso will last for up to 5 days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer.

Can I freeze it?

You sure can! It'll last for up to three months in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.

How should I reheat it?

You can either use the stovetop method or put it in a mini crockpot. Feel free to add a bit of plant milk or water if it requires some loosening up. Also, be sure to stir constantly on the stovetop because it can burn easily.

Is this vegan queso healthy?

While you should enjoy this plant-based cheese dip in moderation (it is intended as an appetizer, after all), it is definitely healthier than non-vegan queso! Here are some facts:
-Cashews are loaded with heart-healthy fats and plant-based protein.
-Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
-Canned tomatoes are loaded with fiber and vitamin C just like their fresh counterparts.

If you happen to eat the whole bowlful like my sister and I are wont to do, I suggest swapping in fresh-cut veggies for some of the chips to increase the nutritional load.

More Yummy Recipes

If you're still hungry, I've got you covered! Here are some more tasty ideas I think you'll love:

If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

📖 Recipe

Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.