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
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.
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!
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
Sure! Just omit the turmeric and you should be good to go.
Yep! This cashew queso will last for up to 5 days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer.
You sure can! It'll last for up to three months in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.
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.
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
Vegan Cashew Queso
Equipment
- High-Speed blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews boiling water for 10 minutes
- 1 cup water (more if needed)
- ½ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce
- ½ teaspoon tumeric (optional but adds the nice yellow color)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice can sub lemon juice
- 1 10oz can of tomatoes with chile peppers drained, but save liquid (see notes)
Toppings
- 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except tomatoes) into a high-speed blender* and blend until smooth. If it's too thick, add small amounts of water. You want it smooth but thick.
- Transfer mixture to saucepan/skillet and stir in most or all of the tomatoes. I like keeping some of the tomatoes as a garnish on top but you don't have to.
- Heat on low for a few minutes while constantly stirring until queso is warm. IMPORTANT: Make sure you keep stirring because I have found that cashew sauces burn or stick to the pan easily!
- Top with cilantro and tortilla chips and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
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.
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.
Tisa says
This Queso was so good. And so easy.
Even my non-vegan friend from California loved it too.
Thank you so much.
Mary Ellen Valverde | VNutrition says
Yay! I love hearing when everyone (including non-vegans) enjoys my recipes. Thanks so much for coming back and leaving a review, Tisa. 🙂
Donna says
I am wondering if it would be possible for you to include in the recipes not just total.fat but also saturated fat. Due to a health condition I have to be conscious of this. I'm also watching grams of sugar for the same reason. I don't know if you can separate this information or not but if you could it would be much appreciated. I love reading your recipes but know I would love to try them as well!! Thank you so much!!!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Donna, I will definitely start doing saturated fat and sugar on new recipes. I can try to get it in on older ones but it does take a little while to get that info so going back and doing old recipes will take a while. If you have any specific ones you'd like to try, email me and let me know and I'll start on those first. 🙂
Diana says
So I made this & really liked it! Trying to reheat in microwave wasn’t good. Texture bad. Please tell me what you would suggest for reheating! Thx!!
Mary Ellen says
Hi Diana, I'm so happy you enjoyed!
I usually heat it on the stove on very low heat stirring constantly. Cashew-based sauces can burn quickly so that's why it's tough in the microwave. If I do reheat it in the microwave, I have to do it on 10-15 second clips at a time. Hope this works for you too!
Fran says
Hi again, Mary Ellen (it's me, Fran, from the Alfredo Noodles love post!) I'm having a ton of fun exploring and trying out your recipes. Unfortunately, my pesky high-stress job gets in the way so my progress has been slow. But, I've set a goal of trying at least one of your recipes every week (wait till I get to be off for a whole week in April!). Anyway, this Queso was IT last weekend! Let me just say, you have completely changed my mind about cashew based sauces, this was AH-MAY-ZING!! Again, I was reluctant to give Queso Dip a go because the last time I tried a similar recipe it was made with cooked carrots and potatoes as the base. Oh no, no, no! The cream still ended up gritty from the potatoes and it was such a disappointment. So I figured it was time I resigned myself to a life without Queso. But then, I found YOU, and you showed me THIS Queso, and now my life is whole again! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Ellen says
Hey Fran! Yay, I love hearing from you! I'm so glad you liked the queso. It's one of my favorite recipes. Cashew-based sauces can be really good and creamy if done right.
I love that you're setting out to try a new recipe each week. Some of the other of my recipes that people really seem to enjoy are my walnut meat tacos, one pot lemon pasta, ranch pasta salad, one pot lentil quinoa, and my mac and cheeses (I have two for now but keep coming up with more) - just in case you were making a list. 🙂
Thanks for the sweet comment. <3
Mina says
Another recipe I would love to make, but I don't do chipotle chile in adobo sauce due to sugar in ingredient. I checked every brand of it and they all have sugar in it, unless you know of one that doesn't. I was thinking chipotle chile powder mixed in homemade adobo sauce, but not sure on measurements and I don't want to compromise the flavour based on a rave review from actual cheese eater. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Anne says
I don’t have Chile adobo today. Suggestions for options? I have a bunch of home grown Chile’s in the freezer
Mary Ellen says
Hi Anne, I've actually never tried it with another pepper. It actually tastes good without the peppers too but if you want a little spice you can add some of your chile pepper in there. Do a little at a time and taste as you're blending. 🙂
If you try it, let me know how it turns out.
Maria says
How much is a serving of the dip?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Maria. The dip makes about 3-3.5 cups and there are about 8 servings in the recipe so I would say probably about 1/4 a cup or so.
Margaret says
I admit that I'm not a vegan and love queso but I would absolutely eat this over any other "real" cheese queso dip I've tried. My favorite by far. <3
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Margaret! I'm so glad you liked it!
Kimmythevegan says
OMG this looks so good!!!! If your sister liked it - it must be pretty good if she couldn't even tell the difference. That's awesome!
I am such a spice wuss though... it makes me nervous... I'll try it out though. Terry actually loves spice, so if anything, he can eat most of it 😉
I actually started liking cheese more after going vegan (vegan cheese that is). I never really got much out of the dairy stuff.
Definitely trying this out soon!
Mary Ellen says
Yeah, she was impressed and I was so excited - she tells me straight. 🙂
You can make it without the chipotle. Actually when I was making thing I was thinking - "Kimmy will be scared of this pepper" lol.
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Wow, this looks amazing! It's been ages since I've had queso and must try this soon. Thanks!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Christine! I hope it lives up to your old memories of queso!
Jenn says
I am addicted to queso too. I used to love the kind in a jar from the store. I could eat an entire jarful myself! Your version looks so super creamy and I LOVE the addition of the chipotle in there! We should have a queso party with all of our different versions!! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
I LOVED that stuff too! I would totally eat a jar by myself.
A vegan queso party would be the best!!!!
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe says
I've tried making my own vegan queso and loved it but never had it at a cafe - will have to try this for the real mexican experience - always love a cheesy dip with cashews
Mary Ellen says
Johanna, yes, the cashews always make things so creamy and cheese-like! Let me know what you think of this Mexican-inspired version!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This is going to sound weird, but I don't remember ever eating queso dip. I found out I'm lactose intolerant when I was in my teens, so if I did have it, it was a long, long time ago. I'm really looking forward to trying your version! It sure looks delicious!
Mary Ellen says
Really? That's is so different than my teen years when I was basically drinking down queso haha! I found out that I'm lactose intolerant in my early 20s but that didn't stop me from eating cheese for at least a few more years - I used to get so sick but couldn't stop myself. I'm excited to have so many vegan alternatives these days. 🙂
Dianne says
This looks so good! I used to eat tons of jarred queso dip years ago before I went vegan. This is on my must-make list!
Mary Ellen says
Thank you Dianne! I used to eat that jarred stuff all the time!
onesonicbite says
This looks so good! I didn't grow up on queso but fell in love when my friends would get the jars of it. I haven't had any in YEARS though. Although I remember teese making a queso cheese that was pretty amazing too.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Jennifer! OH, I forgot that I used to eat that jarred queso like it was going out of style! I'm surprised I actually forgot that. I think I tried that Teese once and liked it too. 🙂
Becky Striepe says
Holy moly, this looks soooo good! I love queso and definitely have to make this!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Becky! Let me know what you think when you try it!