5-Minute Vegan Cashew Queso Recipe
This 5-Minute Vegan Cashew Queso is a creamy, flavorful dairy-free alternative perfect for dipping or drizzling. Made with soaked raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and a blend of spices, this quick and easy recipe delivers the cheesy, spicy kick of traditional queso without any dairy. Ideal for snacking with chips or adding a tasty twist to tacos, nachos, and burritos.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute (blending time)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Cashew Queso
- 3/4 - 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1 Tbsp harissa (or substitute with hot salsa, hot sauce, Ro-Tel, or 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce; plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: Add all ingredients to a blender, starting with the lesser amount of hot water (3/4 cup). Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more water as needed to achieve a pourable queso consistency. Use a small or high-speed blender for best results. If the mixture becomes too thin, thicken by adding additional raw cashews.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the queso and adjust seasonings as desired. Add more nutritional yeast for cheesiness, salt for seasoning, cumin for smokiness, chili powder or harissa for heat, or garlic for extra zing. The queso should have a bold, flavorful profile.
- Serve: Serve immediately with tortilla chips or use as a sauce on tacos, nachos, burritos, or other dishes. Garnish with additional harissa, fresh salsa, or hot sauce if desired.
- Store Leftovers: Store leftover queso covered in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, place in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding water as needed to restore creamy texture.
Notes
- Use hot water to help blend the cashews smoothly without soaking.
- For thicker queso, use less water or add more cashews.
- Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of harissa or chili powder.
- This queso is vegan and can be stored refrigerated or frozen for convenience.
- Use a high-speed blender for the creamiest texture.
- Perfect as a dip, sauce, or spread for various Mexican-style dishes.
Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/5-minute-vegan-cashew-queso-recipe/