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4.9 from 732 votes

5-Minute Vegan Cashew Queso

Creamy vegan queso ready in just 5 minutes! Cheesy, quick and easy to make, and perfect for serving with nachos, burrito bowls, tacos, and more!

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 6 (1/4-cup servings)
Calories: 133 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Condiments
Cuisine: Mexican , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 3/4 - 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 Tbsp harissa (or sub hot salsa, hot sauce, Ro-Tel, or 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce // plus more for garnish)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender (starting with the lesser amount of water) and blend until creamy, adding more water as needed to blend until creamy and smooth. We recommend a small blender (we prefer the NutriBullet), or a high-speed blender. Add just enough water to achieve a creamy, pourable queso. If it gets too thin, thicken with additional raw cashews.
  2. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more nutritional yeast for cheesiness, salt to taste, cumin for smokiness, chili powder or harissa for heat, or garlic for zing. It should be quite flavorful, so don't be shy.
  3. Serve with chips or add to things like tacos, nachos, burritos, and more! Garnish with additional harissa or a spoonful of fresh salsa or hot sauce for serving (optional). 
  4. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 5-7 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. To thaw from frozen, set in refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Reheat in microwave or in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add more water as needed if it thickens when reheating.

Notes

  • *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 (1/4-cup) serving calculated without additional garnish, chips for dipping, or other sides.
  • *Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 (1/4-cup) serving calculated without additional garnish, chips for dipping, or other sides.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(1/4-cup serving) Calories 133 (7%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 237mg (10%) Potassium 209mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 150IU (3%) Vitamin C 0.6mg (1%) Calcium 8mg (1%) Iron 1.8mg (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(1/4-cup servings)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 133

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(1/4-cup serving)
Calories 133 7%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 237mg 10%
Potassium 209mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 150IU 3%
Vitamin C 0.6mg 1%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1.8mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.