5 from 24 votes
Cashew Nacho Cheese
Cashew Nacho Cheese is a creamy, dairy-free cheese sauce made by blending soaked raw cashews with nutritional yeast, yellow miso, lemon juice, and seasonings including pickled jalapeños and salsa. The sauce yields a smooth texture and a balanced tangy-spicy flavor, suitable as a dip or topping for chips, tacos, or burritos.
Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
135 kcal
Course:
Appetizer, Snacks
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashew nuts unroasted, unsalted, soaked in warm water for at least 15 minutes, raw
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon yellow miso paste
- 1/2 cup water or more, if needed to get the creamy texture
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar of pickled jalapeños
- 2 tablespoons salsa or chopped tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional Additions
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chipotle chili flakes or cayenne for heat
- 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric
Instructions
- Soak the cashews, if you haven't already. Let them sit for 15 minutes in hot water, then drain.
- Add the soaked and drained cashews to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients, and then blend for a minute. Check the consistency of the mixture, and add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water, if needed. Then, blend again for 30 seconds. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and then blend again for 10 seconds. Let it sit for another 2 minutes, and then blend again for half a minute or, until the mixture is nice and creamy and smooth.
- Taste and adjust flavor by adding more lemon, salt, garlic, flavors or heat, and then blend in those additions. Then transfer to a serving bowl, top it with some salsa or pickled jalapeño, and serve with tortilla chips, or use the cheese sauce in tacos, wraps, over burritos, over nachos.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add turmeric for a yellower color without affecting flavor significantly.
- Use chickpea miso for a soy-free version.
- Omitting nutritional yeast requires increasing miso slightly to maintain umami taste.
- This sauce is naturally gluten-free.
Nutrition Information
Calories
135kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Sodium
298mg
(12%)
Potassium
223mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
137IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
13mg
(1%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 135
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 135kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 298mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 223mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 137IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 13mg | 1% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.