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5.0 from 24 votes

Cashew Nacho Cheese

Creamy, zesty, cashew nacho cheese is delicious for dipping and great on tacos, burritos, nachos, and more. You make it in the blender, no cooking required, and it’s so versatile!

Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 135 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews unroasted, unsalted, soaked in warm water for at least 15 minutes
  • 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

    Cup of Yum
  1. Soak the cashews, if you haven't already. Let them sit for 15 minutes in hot water, then drain.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Notes

  • Use the turmeric if you want your nacho cheese to look yellower, it won’t impact the flavor much.
  • Cashew nacho cheese is naturally gluten-free. This is a soy-free recipe, if you use chickpea miso instead of yellow miso. For nut-free, make my nut-free nacho cheese sauce instead.
  • To make this without nutritional yeast, just omit the nutritional yeast and add another teaspoon of miso.

Nutrition Information

Calories 135kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 298mg (12%) Potassium 223mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 137IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 13mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

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.