5 from 60 votes
Vegan Cashew Queso
Vegan Cashew Queso is a plant-based cheese sauce using soaked cashew nuts blended with tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and warming spices such as chipotle flakes, smoked paprika, and cumin. The sauce thickens when heated, creating a creamy, slightly spicy dip or sauce with the option to add chunky salsa for added texture and flavor.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
85 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups water
- ⅓ cup cashew nuts see Notes about soaking, raw
- 1½ tablespoons tapioca starch or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh or 2 teaspoon plain rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon chipotle flakes or more if you like it spicy
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- ½ cup salsa or any salsa you love, thick and chunky
Instructions
- For smooth queso: combine all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth. For chunky queso: combine all ingredients except salsa in a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Pour mixture into a small sauce pan. If making chunky queso, add the salsa now. Whisking frequently, cook over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or until piping hot and thickened. Taste and add more salsa if desired. Serve warm.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If you lack a high-speed blender, substitute raw cashew butter (2.5 to 3 tablespoons) or soak cashews beforehand to soften for blending.
- Raw sunflower seeds can be used as a nut-free alternative, alone or combined with white beans.
- Store leftover queso in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or freeze in a suitable container for up to 2 months; thaw overnight and reheat before serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
85kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
112IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
3.5mg
(4%)
Calcium
12.4mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 85
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 85kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 112IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 3.5mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 12.4mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.