4.8 from 234 votes
Easy Vegan Cheddar Cheese (Spread & Sauce!)
Easy, melty, spreadable vegan cheese that looks and tastes like cheddar! Perfect for adding to grilled cheese, mac ‘n’ cheese, and more! Just 8 simple ingredients required.
Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
37 mins
Servings: 10 (~2-Tbsp servings)
Calories: 72 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
International
Ingredients
CASHEWS & CARROTS
- 2/3 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced (peeled) carrots
- Hot water for soaking
THE REST
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch
- 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric (optional // for color)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, soak cashews and carrots in very hot water for 30 minutes (uncovered). Then drain and add to a high-speed blender with 1 cup water, tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, garlic powder, and dry mustard (turmeric is optional for deeper color). Blend on high until the mixture is smooth.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more apple cider vinegar for acidity, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, garlic powder for depth of flavor, or salt to taste.
- Transfer to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, while whisking, for 1-2 minutes or until thickened to a spreadable consistency (see photo). It should resemble the texture of soft cooked polenta.
- The cheese spread is now ready to use on things like grilled cheese sandwiches, or to add to cooked shells for quick vegan mac ‘n’ cheese.
- Store sauce covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 1 month (let thaw in the refrigerator before use). In the fridge, it will thicken into a paste/spread as it chills.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients. *Recipe as written makes ~1 ¼ cup.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1(2-tablespoon serving)
Calories
72
(4%)
Carbohydrates
7.1g
(2%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
0.7g
(4%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.7g
Monounsaturated Fat
2.1g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
124mg
(5%)
Potassium
134mg
(4%)
Fiber
1.1g
(4%)
Sugar
0.9g
(2%)
Vitamin A
1294IU
(26%)
Vitamin C
0.5mg
(1%)
Calcium
8.7mg
(1%)
Iron
0.7mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10(~2-Tbsp servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 72
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1(2-tablespoon serving) | |
| Calories | 72 | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 7.1g | 2% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.7g | 4% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7g | 4% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.1g | 11% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 124mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 134mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1.1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 0.9g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1294IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 8.7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.