I am currently obsessed with this super easy Vegan Queso Dip. I made it in minutes (soak free version!) and drizzled it on just about everything last night at dinner. Cheezy, with loads of spice, a hint of lime and fresh cilantro on top. This silky, cashew-based dip or sauce is a versatile, boldly flavored recipe that I hope you try!..
Shoutout to my friend Kristy of KeepinItKind.com for hosting a blogger prop swap party last week. This pretty pink-ish plate was one of the goodies I walked away with! love it with the bright orange and teal color combo.
Did you guys see Boyhood? That amazing, Oscar-winning movie that was filmed over the course of 12 years? Great movie! But really, what I must talk about today was the scene in the end. There is a scene where the boy and his girlfriend (I think it was his girlfriend), and sitting in a restaurant, at a cozy booth, mellow music humming in the background, groggy faded yellow lights hanging overhead, musty thick air. They are chatting quietly over a giant, warm and silky bowl of queso. Side of chips. They were eating it as if it were guacamole.
Me with "food blogger brain" even when I watch movies, was pretty inspired. and I had never seen this before! Sure, I know of queso, but 'just a bowl and some chips' got me going. Maybe it is a southwest thing or maybe I just haven't been paying attention enough. Or maybe I have been vegan too long and missed that cheezy trend. Ha. Ha.
But anyways, the point is. And I do have a point. THAT bowl of queso was so fun and friendly. I love this: two people, a pile of chips or veggie sticks, chatting over a bowl of queso. Sooo, vegan version.
My Queso. I think this Queso is unique, mostly, for the Cajun spice blend that I chose to use. Instead of traditional Mexican spices, the Cajun blend gives it a hint of New Orleans flair. But you could substitute with a basic chipotle powder or another spicy red pepper blend.
I have seen plenty of vegan queso recipes online, most of them using cashews, and I agreed that cashews make the creamy dreamiest sauces and dairy-free dips, so I went with a cashew base, loads of spices, splash of non-dairy milk, water to thin and some cheezy nutritional yeast too.
My queso is a bit on the thick and creamy side, but if you want to thin it out, simply add a bit more water. I promise the flavor will still be intense. And tip: for more heat in a flash, add in a few pinches of cayenne.
Another tip: Use a high speed blender like a Vitamix for the creamiest queso ever. Use my Vitamix link for free shipping.
Queso is best served warm and creamy. If you place this dip in the fridge it will firm up quite a bit and become more of a cheese spread ... also delicious!
Dive into a bowl of Queso and grab a friend while you are at it!...
Easy Vegan Queso
By
Published 03/02/2015
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups cashews, raw
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 cup water (+ additional as desired to thin out consistency)
- ½ cup non-dairy milk (or more water)
- 2 tablespoon green chilies (canned) -- or 1 jalapeño, seeds removed
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning Blend -- or ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- cilantro - garnish
- lime - garnish
- ⅓ teaspoon salt - or to taste
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot. Add the cashews. Boil for 2-3 minutes then turn off heat and strain out cashews.
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender like a Vitamix. Blend from low to high until silky smooth. Blend long enough and at a high enough speed so that the queso becomes slightly warm.
- Do a taste test and add more water if you like a thinner consistency.
- Serve! Store in fridge, covered until ready to serve. Best served warmed.
Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Total time: 10 mins.
Tags: appetizer,sauce,vegan queso,queso,cashews,cheese,easy,vitamix,blender recipe,vegan,dairy-free,cheezy
Based on six servings - Nutritional Info:
ps. Thank you to everyone who has checked out my "Start a Food Blog" blogpost! I am SO SO excited to start seeing your blogs as you send them my way.
*disclosure: This post contains a Vitamix affiliate link. Ready to buy the best blender ever? Get free shipping by using my link!
Monica says
I tried this recipe last night and I loved it! But, for some reason mine didn't turn out with that cheezy look. It almost looked like a guacamole, only it was creamy. Do you think it has something to do with the nutritional yeast...but I used all the ingredients the recipe called for. Any ideas?
Simone says
Made this last night, and have had it on baked potato wedges last night, mixed through pasta tonight & even tried some with corn chips. This stuff is amazing!
Only problem was mine did not go that lovely shade of orange...maybe I didn't put in enough tumeric.
Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth says
I just laughed out loud when I read that part you wrote about Boyhood! Hahahaha I watched it with Brett, Michael, and Kevin, and we were all drooling over the quest dip in that scene! lol!!! I thought it was just us!
Krisan says
I always make Isa's version, I'm excited to try this one next time!
Kathy Patalsky says
Ooo, what does hers have in it?? I bet it is ahmazing
Guest says
I make something very similar to this, but with sriracha and lemon/lime juice. I can't believe I never thought to heat it up, despite the fact that hot queso and chips was always a favorite of mine. I will have to try this. I also love it on top of layered dip (black beans, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, guacamole)... that one was sort of inspired by your 7 layer BBQ bowl, but I went with a more traditional, mexican feel for it. I can't wait to try out your recipe, I have a ton of cajun spice that's been waiting for this recipe!
Kathy Patalsky says
that sounds delicious! And actually, yes this queso would be AMAZING on my 7-layer bbq bowl! genius.
RockMyVeganSocks says
Yum! I totally have made "cheeze" and nachos before - but not quite like this. I like the spices you used. And I LOVE that you posted a soak-free version as I tend not to plan things like this ahead of time. What an awesome sauce snack =)
Nicole {VeganShowOff.com} says
Love the cajun spice twist you put on this vegan queso! Very creative and can't wait o try it!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you!
crystalluv says
Oh, I gotcha! 🙂 I just bought my first bag of bean chips the other day. Great invention! Thanks for all the yummy recipes 😀
crystalluv says
Looks delish as do the crackers! What are they?
Kathy Patalsky says
I forget the name but they are a tortilla chip with beans in them... Beans and something tortilla chips ahhh sorry! They are yum!
one_eyed_writer says
Chips and Queso is most definitely a Tex-Mex thing. My college friends and I still reminisce about doing just that, drinking beer, eating queso and laughing ourselves silly. Now with this recipe, I can still be part of the fun!
Kathy Patalsky says
love that! Ahhh exactly how I picture a queso-fest to be. Veganized to deliciousness with this recipe!
Inspired Life says
Ok, I'm salivating. Can't wait to make it. Don't know how we'll I'll do with the sharing part. Thanks for always bringing us fresh, current, tasty offerings.
Kathy Patalsky says
You are very welcome! Thank YOU. You will love this dip
CLC says
Awesome and thanks so much!
CLC says
Does anyone have any suggestions for Nutritional Yeast? I've only used Bob's Red Mill and I find the taste to be more "sour" than nutty/cheesy if that makes sense. Is it maybe b/c it is fortified?
Kathy Patalsky says
I ONLY use Kal brand nutritional yeast, it is the only one I have tried that I LOVE. It comes in a canister.
Carie says
I love Bragg's nutritional yeast.
Livomac says
I can't wait to try this, I love that it's so quick and easy too!! Thanks so much, I can't wait for my next movie night 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
LOL. Kathy. What a great thing to take away from the movie!
I've been meaning to try a cheese like vegan dip and this looks perfect- Especially since it doesn't require soaking cashews!
Kathy Patalsky says
Haha right? And the moral of the story is.... Queso! 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Yum love the spices here. I haven't tried cashew cheese as nacho cheese but love cashew cheese so I'm excited to try this!!
Christina Schueler says
Boyhood was such a great movie! Love the movie inspired queso dip. I love that you added green chiles too! Pinning this now 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Christina! I am such a movie liver I love when I can be recipe inspired by great movies!
Sarah says
Can't wait to try this! Quick heads up - check the sentence just before the 7th photo. You have a typo in there that I'm pretty sure is meant to be ADD! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Haha I'm out of office but will correct asap thank you!!
Renard Moreau says
[ Smiles ] Great! Another vegan recipe that I can actually make with ease!
Kathy Patalsky says
Great!