I am so happy that I have this Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip in my life.
It is like having a delicious cheese dip for chips and veggies that is secretly kinda healthy too.
Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
Not to brag or anything but, this dip goes especially well with my Whole Wheat Garlic Toasted Flatbread Chips.
I mean, yes celery always makes for good dipping but, when there is a big game or gathering with friends and family, chips are also a nice idea.
Yes, this is not just a vegan dip, it is also friendly to the Mediterranean diet.
This means that while this dip looks and tastes like one of those cheesy (and often questionable to the arteries) dip, it is secretively healthy. Secretively healthy as there are ingredients in this that you can pronounce and trace. 🙂
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
I can see why people would ask if cashews actually taste like cheese.
The truth is that many of the queso cheese recipes have little if any actual cheese in them. Personally, I would ask if the 'cheese' actually tastes like cashews as I am a fan of cashews.
But, like any other recipe that is out there, you add ingredients to alter the taste.
And, in the case of a queso dip, you would add queso seasonings to get that queso flavors. Unlike the usual queso dip, however, we will not be adding a bunch of added fats that can come from the cheese and other dairy products that are usually added.
It is true that cashews are used in vegan cheese.
This is because when cashews are ground up in a recipe such as this one for a dip, cashews can take on a similar taste and texture to melted cheese. Cashews are also a decent source of protein, magnesium, and iron.
Grinding up cashews is seriously easy to do.
In this recipe we will grind our raw cashews with the other ingredients until we get that creamy texture for the dip.
While I use my Vitamix blender to do this, you could easily use a food processor if desired.
Tips Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
I just mentioned that use raw cashews (no soaking needed in this recipe!). I also mentioned that this dip can be made in a blender such as a Vitamix blender or in a food processor .
Here are some more great vegan queso making tips for you.
- Add some diced tomatoes with chilies (such as RoTel) to give this vegan cheese dip some more color, taste, and texture. Simply stir the diced tomatoes in by hand after you have creamed your cashews. Do not over-mix.
- Make this dip into a sauce for your vegan pasta. You may need to add a bit of water to get a more sauce-like consistency but, it works! Nutritional yeast also helps to get the consistency similar to that famous mac and cheese recipe.
- This vegan cashew cheese recipe should keep for about a week. Simpy store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator. You may need to give it a quick stir just before serving. 🙂
If you are wary about serving up this dip, here is what vegan queso tastes like.
I mentioned that when the cashews are ground up they really do taste a lot like the melted white cheese or 'cheese product' often used in a queso recipe. It is the other ingredients, such as the seasonings, that make the taste more queso-like.
But, this vegan cheese dip is a bit different from the usual cheese dip in other ways.
Most notably, the difference is that while you could heat up a regular cheese dip and serve it warm, this dip may not be the same. That is, this cashew dip would not be exactly like cheese dip in taste and texture if served warm.
You may also be wondering if you can use a substitute for cashews in this queso dip recipe.
To be honest, I have not tried another nut. I will also add that cashews work great because of a blander flavor that resembles the cheese used in actual non-vegan queso recipes.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- How to Make an Easy White Bean Dip.
- The Best Ever Texas Caviar.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso
I mentioned earlier that we will grind our raw cashews with the other ingredients until we get that creamy texture for the dip.
While I use my Vitamix blender to do this, you could easily use a food processor if desired.
I also mentioned that the seasoning that is added to this dip is what can really give it a more authentic flavor.
For this queso dip, you should add queso seasonings to achieve that authentic taste. Another option is to add some diced tomatoes with chilies (such as RoTel) to give this vegan cheese dip some more color, taste, and texture. Simply stir the diced tomatoes in by hand after you have creamed your cashews. Do not over-mix.
Here is what you will need to make this Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
- Raw Cashews - 1 ½ cups.
- Water- ½ cup.
- Seasonings- 1 ½ teaspoons or as needed. Can be queso seasonings, taco seasonings, Mexican seasonings, or my favorite choice, a chili lime seasoning blend.
- Optional- diced tomatoes with chilies (such as RoTel) - as desired.
- Optional- Nutritional yeast- as needed for texture. Adding a bit of nutritional yeast and extra water will make this into a sauce that resembles a sauce for a pasta dish, such as mac and cheese.
Here is how to make this Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip.
- Place the cashews and the water into your blender or food processor . I add the water first when using my Vitamix. Add any desired seasonings.
- Blend on high until creamy, about 20-30 seconds. Do not over blend.
- Stir in optional diced tomatoes and chilis. Add additional seasonings as needed.
- This vegan cashew cheese recipe should keep for about a week. Simpy store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator. You may need to give it a quick stir just before serving.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
This easy and Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip is friendly to the Mediterranean diet. Use this dip as a sauce for your next pasta meal.
Amazing Vegan Cashew Queso Dip
Ingredients
- Raw Cashews – 1 ½ cups.
- Water- ½ cup.
- Seasonings- 1 ½ teaspoons or as needed. Can be queso seasonings taco seasonings, Mexican seasonings, or my favorite choice, a chili lime seasoning blend.
- Optional- diced tomatoes with chilies such as RoTel – as desired.
- Optional- Nutritional yeast– as needed for texture. Adding a bit of nutritional yeast and extra water will make this into a sauce that resembles a sauce for a pasta dish such as mac and cheese.
Instructions
- Place the cashews and the water into your blender or food processor . I add the water first when using my Vitamix. Add any desired seasonings.
- Blend on high until creamy, about 20-30 seconds. Do not over blend.
- Stir in optional diced tomatoes and chilis. Add additional seasonings as needed.
- This vegan cashew cheese recipe should keep for about a week. Simply store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator. You may need to give it a quick stir just before serving.
Recipe Notes
I also mentioned that the seasoning that is added to this dip is what can really give it a more authentic flavor.
For this queso dip, you should add queso seasonings to achieve that authentic taste. Another option is to add some diced tomatoes with chilies (such as RoTel) to give this vegan cheese dip some more color, taste, and texture. Simply stir the diced tomatoes in by hand after you have creamed your cashews. Do not over-mix.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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